Man Utd has been papering over cracks for years so paying $25m to hire Ashworth

The sporting director is the epicenter of a club. They are trusted by billionaire owners to bridge the gap between what happens in the boardroom and what happens on the field.

They are trusted to create a plan, spend money wisely, and put that plan in motion: what are we going to be about? Are we going to be youth based? Are we going to chase the world’s top players? Once you’ve chosen your path, you can't deviate. You can’t be knee-jerk. You have to trust in the plan.

It's an incredibly important role and it’s all encompassing – as I’ve found out over the last few years working as sporting director of Memphis 901!

Believe me, soccer players are temperamental and insecure. When there are excuses on offer, players will take them.

I played in teams where results weren't good, the manager was a bit off or, organizationally, things weren't where they needed to be. And when players sit in the locker room, that is all they will talk about.

But in an organization that is run smoothly and is all about excellence, you think: I better make sure I'm on the boil. Because if performances aren't right, it's on me. You almost feel guilty not falling into line.

When I first got to Manchester United in 2003, everything was taken care of. We were almost pampered, but the United way was simple: look after your players so much - on and off the pitch - that their only focus is performing in training and in games. Nothing else.

Back then, it was seamless. But United has not got that right for a while. Instead, the club has just papered over the cracks: bring in a new manager, bring in new players. But that wasn't the issue: it was at the top. Which is why it would be such a coup if United hires Dan Ashworth.

He has had success elsewhere – it was on