Manchester United's sporting director, Dan Ashworth (C) takes his seat for the UEFA Europa League, League Phase football match between Manchester United and Bodoe/Glimt at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, north west England, on November 28, 2024
Manchester United's sporting director, Dan Ashworth (C) takes his seat for the UEFA Europa League, League Phase football match between Manchester United and Bodoe/Glimt at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, north west England, on November 28, 2024. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal legend Martin Keown has questioned the character of former Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth, following his abrupt departure from Newcastle for Old Trafford. Ashworth left United on Sunday after a mere five months, having been prised away from Newcastle after protracted negotiations.
His move was seen as a bold statement from new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS. Despite being lauded as "one of the best sporting directors in the world " by Ratcliffe, Ashworth's swift exit from St James' Park – a move that ended acrimoniously, necessitated arbitration, resulted in gardening leave and left Eddie Howe disappointed – drew criticism.
Speaking to David Seaman on the Seaman Says podcast, sponsored by Betway, Keown reopened this controversy, questioning whether Arsenal, who are rumoured to be interested in Ashworth following the departure of their director Edu, should pursue someone whose personality could potentially be detrimental. "I was troubled with the fact that he wanted to leave Newcastle so quickly," Keown confessed.
"Suddenly, something's glistening in the distance, shiny in the shape of Manchester United, and he wants to jump from Newcastle. Okay, what sort of personality are we talking about? ".
Keown has voiced his concerns over the potential impact of sporting directors' conduct on Arsenal's young players, stating: "The sporting directors, they're role models within the building. They're having a say with all the young players, their behaviour, contracts and the rest of it, and then suddenly someone just leaves. Just click of a finger, he's gone.", reports the Mirror.
He also expressed his unease about the message sent by such abrupt departures, particularly in reference to Dan Ashworth's move to Manchester United: "He turns up at Manchester United, and it feels embarrassing now. It's a power struggle, you know," Keown elaborated. "They've got so many different cooks, haven't they? It's all speculation right now. But he's gone out the door very quickly."
Keown also lamented the departure of former Arsenal man Edu, who left for a new opportunity under Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis. This exit did not sit well with Keown, who is unsure if Arsenal placing Ashworth as a top candidate to replace Edu is the right move: "I'm not happy that Edu's gone," Keown admitted.
"That, for me, was a disappointment because it leaves the manager on his own. I think Richard Garlick will attend to that quickly and the necessary people will be back in."
"Whether we (Arsenal) take someone that Man United don't want, or didn't like [Ashworth], I don't know. It does seem that the journalists I'm hearing who are breaking the story seem to have had Dan Ashworth's ear. It seems that because he was 'shocked and stunned'."
"So, we're hearing that, so where's that coming from? I think it's coming from the horse's mouth. But as I say, I'd love to hear from him sometime soon because I'd be really interested to get the insight from Dan Ashworth as to why this guy, who Jim Ratcliffe said, 'he's the best in class', within a few months is out the door."