Dan Ashworth to argue he was SACKED by Newcastle as he force move to Man Utd

Dan Ashworth is reportedly going to argue that he was sacked by Newcastle in a bid to force through a move to Manchester United.

An arbitration hearing is due to begin later this month as the two clubs struggle to agree on a compensation fee.

Newcastle have been waiting for the Red Devils to make a reasonable offer, which so far has not gone beyond £2m.

Ashworth informed Newcastle of his wish to join Manchester United as their new sporting director in February and was placed on gardening leave, a period that minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has suggested expires towards the end of 2025.

The Telegraph have now reported that Ashworth believes his exit from Newcastle would allow him to argue that his gardening leave is null and void as 'things were not handled correctly' before his exit.

It's claimed his argument is that he was not asked to formally write down his resignation by chief executive Darren Eales, so shouldn't have been placed on gardening leave until he did so and will therefore reportedly suggest that he was removed from his position.

The same report claims that Newcastle are 'astounded' by Ashworth's claims, and believe they hold the right to prevent him working at Old Trafford until 2025, unless a compensation deal can be reached.

It comes after Mail Sport reported that Ashworth sent an email to a Newcastle address inadvertently revealing he was being tapped up by incoming Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada- who was still on gardening leave from Manchester City.

Mail Sport revealed that the pair had a conversation in early February and Ashworth followed that up by sending an email to Berrada - at an INEOS account - making it clear he wanted to accept the opportunity of becoming Man United’s sporting