Manchester United are said to be on the verge of signing Dan Ashworth as their new sporting director from Newcastle United. This move could potentially be a coup as a promising sporting director is something that United desperately needs.
If the deal is completed, Ashworth will play a significant role in United’s recruitment process by deciding who the club signs. Following the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United are set for a squad overhaul in the summer with several players expected to leave and join the club.
Despite making many signings over the last few years, not many of them have had the right impact at Old Trafford. More importantly, United have often ended up overpaying for players and that is something that is expected to stop under Ashworth’s watch at Old Trafford.
During his tenure as the sporting director of Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion, Ashworth has negotiated some shrewd deals and that is a quality that United could well benefit from. More importantly, Ashworth has an eye for scouting and nurturing talent and the prospect of him working with United’s academy is exciting.
Since claiming a 25% stake in the club, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made it clear that he intends to take United back to their glory days. And the first step he took in that direction was poaching Omar Berrada from Manchester City as the club’s new CEO. Now, the potential appointment of Ashworth is another step in the right direction.
If the deal is completed in the coming days, as expected, it could signal the start of a new era at Old Trafford.
Image Courtesy – The Guardian
