Manchester United are seemingly poised to make an approach for Dan Ashworth - years after Sir Alex Ferguson urged Richard Arnold to poach the sought after sporting director.
Ashworth, 52, is widely regarded as one of football's most astute operators following spells with The Football Association, Brighton and Newcastle, who lured him to St. James' Park back in February 2022.
He has been heavily linked with a move to United in recent weeks, with reports now claiming that an official approach is imminent. But this isn't the first time that United have tried to bring Ashworth to Old Trafford.
A new report from The Athletic has outlined that Ferguson had previously told Arnold, the club's former chief executive, to sound Ashworth out ahead of his move to Newcastle. Contact was made but it's alleged Ashworth declined formal talks once it became clear he would be working under football director, John Murtough.
The winds of change have blown through Manchester United since then; Ineos are now calling the shots after Sir Jim Ratcliffe struck a £1.25billion deal with the Glazers for a 25 per cent stake in his boyhood club.
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The British billionaire and his team have assumed control of all sporting operations and appointing a sporting director to help oversee the club's recruitment strategy is a priority.
With his impressive body of work in the Premier League, Ashworth was naturally linked with the role, as were former Liverpool transfer chief Michael Edwards and Paul Mitchell. But it is Ashworth who United have seemingly settled on.
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Sir Alex Ferguson urged United to sound out Ashworth before he joined Newcastle (Getty Images)The Telegraph outlined earlier this week that the opportunity to work at a club of United's stature would appeal to Ashworth, despite the fact that he has been left 'irritated' by the constant stream of speculation surrounding him. It's even been claimed that some within the Newcastle hierarchy are already 'braced' for Ashworth's potential departure.
United have taken significant steps to strengthen their infrastructure since Ratcliffe's agreement with the Glazers was formally announced on Christmas Eve.
The club have already poached Omar Berrada from neighbours Manchester City to become their new chief executive, a role he is expected to start ahead of the 2024/25 campaign after serving notice with the champions. He will replace Arnold, who left the club at the turn of the year. Patrick Stewart has been serving as interim CEO in his stead.
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