Dan Ashworth's exit has lowered morale in Manchester United’s women's set-up
Ashworth considered the development of the women’s team to be an important part of his big picture rebuilding plans as sporting director and his departure after just 159 days in the position is considered an unwelcome and untimely blow.
While United women believe they still have a strong advocate in chief executive Omar Berrada, Ashworth was regarded as a key ally with a passion and track record for growing and investing in the women’s game.
Ashworth was heavily responsible for the Football Association investing large amounts of money in the women’s game during his six-year tenure as technical director.
He was also regarded as a positive force for Newcastle women, who won back-to-back promotions to the English Women’s Championship during his time at the Tyneside club, and the Brighton women’s set-up.
“There is a sense of deflation around Dan’s exit,” a United source said. “The women’s team have lost a very passionate supporter.”
That Ashworth’s exit came on a weekend when Jim Ratcliffe made it clear in an interview with the United We Stand fanzine that his priority was the men’s team has also not helped the mood within the women’s camp.
Asked about the perception he was “not interested” in the women’s team, the United co-owner said: “The perception is slightly misguided. There’s only so much that you can do and our focus has been on the men’s team.
“If not, you get spread too thinly. We need to sort out the main issue − the men’s team. The women’s team is an opportunity.
“Women’s football is growing really quickly in popularity and size. We need to participate in that. The girls wear a Manchester United badge on their shirt and they’re representing the club.”
Sources indicated that some of the language Ratcliffe used to discuss the women’s team had been dimly received. The women’s team manager Marc Skinner says he felt the club have a “love and affinity with our women’s team” but, while the presence of Ashworth especially and Berrada was a source of considerable encouragement, insiders have questioned whether Ratcliffe feels the same way.
“Ashworth was heavily involved in United women’s summer recruitment business and Harvey Bussell, the head of recruitment for the women’s team, and interim head of women’s football Matt Johnson have lost a key ally.
Skinner, who has faced calls to go from some fans despite winning the FA Cup last season and the team being fourth in the Women’s Super League (WSL) following Sunday’s resounding 4-0 win over Liverpool, also had a lot of support from Ashworth.
United women were unhappy about being moved out of their newly refurbished £10m training facility at Carrington this season to make way for the men’s team while the training ground undergoes a £50m-revamp, but Ashworth had done a lot to allay frustrations and concerns.
Skinner only discovered the news of Ashworth’s exit on Sunday morning, in the hours before taking charge of the Liverpool game.
Speaking in September, Skinner said Ashworth and Berrada had been part of an “energy shift” and that the women’s team “have two leaders that are really, really interested in how we do as a team and how they can support us. I feel energised by their commitment”.
Skinner added that they have a “burning ambition for women’s football to be at the forefront of their direction”. Berrada, who joined United in the summer from Manchester City who have invested heavily in their women’s team, has spoken to staff about a desire to win the WSL title by 2028.
Manchester United are working within their financial restrictions to target a dynamic left-back as a long-term solution to fit into Ruben Amorim’s system.
United are looking at left-sided wing-backs in the mould of Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies, who could be a free transfer in seven months, but the competition and costs to sign him makes Old Trafford an unlikely destination.
Paraguayan full-back Diego Leon, 17, has been extensively scouted by Premier League clubs including United and Arsenal ahead of a move next summer after his next birthday when he is eligible for a move to Europe.
United have been assessing a number of options for that long-term role, with Amorim’s intention to play in the 3-4-3 formation he developed at Sporting Lisbon before arriving in Manchester last month.
So far in his five matches in charge, Amorim has played Diogo Dalot and Tyrell Malacia as left wing-backs. Dalot, one of the most improved players at United in recent seasons, was brought to the club as a right-back. Malacia, who is set to start against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League this week, is returning from a long-term injury.
Luke Shaw has been United’s first-choice left-back in recent seasons, although he is currently injured with a hamstring problem after being sidelined heading into Euro 2024 during the summer. Amorim played Shaw as a centre-back when he brought him off the bench in his last game, a position he is comfortable playing in.
United have also been tentatively looking at goalkeeper options should Turkey international Altay Bayindir look to pursue regular first-team football elsewhere, with his opportunities limited to the EFL Cup this season.
Other players who have not featured much under Amorim include Christian Eriksen, who played 68 minutes in the head coach’s first game at Ipswich but not since.