Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has to laugh at Manchester United following Dan Ashworth’s exit.
The Red Devils committed so much time, effort and money to take Dan Ashworth from Newcastle United, only to get rid of him after just over six months.
It is a comical situation, and Newcastle United fans are very amused by Ashworth’s Man United exit.
The former FA chief was placed on gardening leave by the Magpies in February 2024, after telling the club he wanted to swap St James’ Park for Old Trafford. What followed was a messy period of compensation negotiations, with Newcastle wanting £20million for Ashworth.
In the end, Manchester United reportedly paid around £5million for Ashworth, which was more than what the Red Devils had claimed to have spent.
No matter how much Ashworth cost, it has all been for nothing.
Manchester United's sporting director, Dan Ashworth (C) takes his seat for the UEFA Europa League, League Phase football match between Manchester ...
Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
Alan Shearer stunned as Dan Ashworth leaves Manchester United
It is a staggering turn of events, and Alan Shearer has told the Rest Is Football podcast that it is an ’embarrassing’ situation for Manchester United.
“Not only are they poor on the pitch, what on earth is going on off the pitch,” he said.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
“It’s embarrassing to go out and get a guy, and him being on gardening leave for six months. He spent longer on gardening leave than he did in his time in the position at Manchester United.
“They pay £3million compensation for him, and then he leaves. It’s a terrible look, it really is. What on earth is going on at that football club.”
What Newcastle United have said about the Dan Ashworth compensation they received
Shearer has stated that Man United paid Newcastle £3million for Ashworth in compensation, but the Magpies actually received more than that figure.
That is according to TBR Football insider Graeme Bailey, who has spoken to Geordie Boot Boys about Ashworth’s Old Trafford exit.
“I’m told Newcastle sources believe they got a lot more than the £3million that has come out of the Man United end – more than double that,” he said.
“Newcastle will not tell you any different. It is none of their business now.”
While the situation is amusing for Toon fans, it will not mean anything to those behind the scenes at St James’ Park. They have moved on from the Ashworth situation, and are now focussed on the work that Paul Mitchell is doing on Tyneside.
Hopefully he gets it right, as my feeling right now is that the whole Ashworth situation and the Mitchell mess that followed has just been proven to be a complete waste of time. For Newcastle, they need Mitchell to work his magic to at least prove they came out the other side in a more positive position.
Related Posts