Everton are a club that appear to be heading in the right direction under the stewardship of their new owners.
The Friedkin Group were handed the keys to Goodison Park in December and the Toffees have been trending upwards ever since.
A big decision was made in January to change managers, with David Moyes making his return to the club in place of Sean Dyche.
And more big changes are set to unfold as Everton have appointed Angus Kinnear as their CEO ahead of his exit from Leeds United this summer.
Unlike Everton, Manchester United have not experienced the same bounce since their takeover by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
And the 72-year-old has now issued a message of warning to the Everton owners ahead of their plans on Merseyside.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Sir Jim Ratcliffe issues Dan Ashworth warning to Everton
With Kevin Thelwell heading for the exit door, Everton are keen to hire Dan Ashworth for their new recruitment structure.
The 54-year-old’s last job was at Old Trafford where he lasted a mere matter of months before being sacked by Ratcliffe.
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Speaking to BBC Sport, United’s owner has now shone some light on the issues with Ashworth in a potential warning to the Friedkins.
When asked to explain what went wrong with Ashworth, Ratcliffe simply replied: No.”
However, he did add some context to the reasoning behind why Ashworth did not work out at Old Trafford.
“It was an error on our part. All I will say is chemistry really I don’t really want to go into the details. I think we are where we are, and we have moved on. A chemistry issue.”
Ratcliffe has already compared Everton’s wage bill with Man United’s as he stuck up for his struggling manager Ruben Amorim.
Clearly, the billionaire is experiencing some real issues in Manchester and salt would be rubbed in the wound if Ashworth was to arrive at Goodison and prove his worth.
Ratcliffe expects Ashworth signings to come good
Everton are set to spend in this summer’s transfer window following years of PSR restraints hanging over the club.
However, they will be looking to spend wisely, with the Friedkins looking to keep the club’s upwards trajectory going.
Bringing in someone like Ashworth could help Everton in finding some smart purchases, despite what appears to be a shaky record at United.
Despite the struggles being experienced at Old Trafford, Ratcliffe has still backed Ashworth’s summer signings to come good.
“Yes. I do,” Ratcliffe emphatically replied to Gary Neville on The Overlap.
“But bear in mind the recruitment last summer, we didn’t have the luxury of time to prepare for last summer.
“Jason Wilcox had been there three weeks, Omar Berrada had been there three days. We had the problem with the coach…”
They may still be one of the biggest clubs in the world, but United are one the last clubs any Premier League side will be looking to take advice from at the moment.