Ashworth to become football director, Varane & Ten Hag set aside differences

John Murtough has been holding meetings this week over January transfer deals even though it seems increasingly likely that Dan Ashworth will replace him as United's football director once Sir Jim Ratcliffe moves into Old Trafford.

Ashworth holds a similar position at Newcastle but has links to INEOS sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford and is said to be highly rated by Ratcliffe's team as they prepare to complete a £1.25billion investment in United.

However, if the deal is not announced this week, it is likely to be after Christmas and then there will be a further delay of between six to eight weeks before it is ratified.

Murtough will remain in situ for the January transfer window and is then likely to be given a new role at United once INEOS move in.

Rasmus Hojlund's big miss at Anfield in the goalless draw with Liverpool on Sunday would have been particularly painful for Murtough who was an enthusiastic proponent of United going 'young and hungry' in the transfer market last summer. Hojlund was United's flagship £72m signing, his long-term potential seeing him regarded as preferential to Harry Kane.

So far, it's not paid off. Kane has 20 Bundesliga goals for Bayern Munich while 20-year-old Hojlund is still looking for his first in the Premier League more than four months in.

Rapha riddle for United

Raphael Varane's future at Manchester United should become clearer in the next couple of weeks after he and manager Erik ten Hag appeared to have set aside their differences.

Varane has been United's best player in the last two games against Liverpool and Bayern Munich after returning to the starting line-up for the first time in seven weeks.

The Frenchman took umbrage at Ten Hag for saying that he was left out of the Manchester