Dan Ashworth latest as Manchester United 'respond to Newcastle gardening leave decision'
Manchester United have reportedly responded to Dan Ashworth being put on gardening leave by making a formal approach for the Newcastle United sporting director.
Newcastle placed the 52-year-old on gardening leave earlier on Monday after telling the club he wanted to exit. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made former Football Association and Brighton & Hove Albion chief Ashworth as his top target for the inaugural sporting director role at United.
In fact, INEOS outlined Ashworth as their man back in December, as revealed by the Manchester Evening News. Ashworth joined Newcastle from Brighton 20 months ago and helped the club sign the likes of Sandro Tonali, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.
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Talks between United and Newcastle were expected imminently and now BBC Sport says a formal approach to the Magpies has been made. Ashworth is already familiar with INEOS Sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford, who is currently conducting an extensive audit of United.
The pair worked together at the FA and Ashworth invited Brailsford to speak to the Newcastle squad during the summer of 2022. INEOS has always been confident of landing Ashworth. The MEN understands that the Ineos Group are so confident of striking a deal to recruit Ashworth, they have not drawn up a list of alternative options for this post.
Newcastle have asked for a £20m compensation fee but MEN Sport understands that United are unwilling to pay that much and are expected to negotiate for a lower fee. The Magpies recruited Ashworth from Brighton in 2022 for £5m, so would be in line for a healthy
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