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Dan Ashworth made his surprise departure at Manchester United over the weekend (Getty)
Arsenal are considering a move for Dan Ashworth following his surprise Manchester United exit, according to reports.
United announced on Sunday that Ashworth has left Old Trafford by ‘mutual agreement’, just five months after being appointed as the club’s first-ever sporting director.
It’s understood that Ashworth was involved in several disputes with United’s co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe as well as other members of the club’s hierarchy.
A key disagreement centred around the decision to extend Erik ten Hag’s contract in the summer, as well as the list of Ashworth’s replacements for the Dutchman, which included Gareth Southgate, Thomas Frank and Marco Silva.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have been seeking a replacement for Edu, who resigned as the club’s sporting director last month.
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According to ESPN, Ashworth’s sudden availability has alerted Arsenal and the Gunners have placed the 53-year-old on their shortlist.
The report adds that Arsenal’s managing director, Richard Garlick, who is leading the club’s search for Edu’s successor, had a ‘close working relationship’ with Ashworth during their time together at West Brom.
Ashworth left West Brom in 2012 to become the Football Association’s director of elite development.
After six years with the FA, Ashworth left to become Brighton’s sporting director before his move to Newcastle United in February 2022.
After months of negotiations, United ended up paying around £5 million in compensation to Newcastle in order to bring Ashworth to Old Trafford earlier this year.
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