The key date Manchester United are working to over Dan Ashworth release as they bid to end Newcastle stalemate

The clocks go forward at the end of the month, which means lighter nights are just around the corner. The spring flowers will bloom and Dan Ashworth's garden should blossom.

Ashworth was placed on gardening leave, a period where employees are suspended on full pay and kept away from the business, by Newcastle last month and negotiations with Manchester United have been opened to determine the length of time he will be out of work for.

The 53-year-old served three months of gardening leave when joining Newcastle from Brighton in 2022, but he's expected to have more time to pursue his hobbies this time around. The noise from the North East suggests Newcastle could demand £20million to release Ashworth and key figures at Old Trafford are understood to be baffled by that figure.

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Newcastle are thought to be annoyed by the circumstances around Ashworth's pending departure and they could drag their heels in negotiations for their sporting director. Sir Jim Ratcliffe addressed the situation when speaking to journalists in London last month. "Dan Ashworth is clearly one of top sporting directors in the world," he said.

"I have no doubt he is a very capable person. He is interested in Manchester United because it’s the biggest challenge, at the biggest club in the world.

"It would be different at Manchester City, because you’re maintaining a level. Here it’s a significant rebuilding job. And I think he would be a very good addition. He needs to decide if he is going to make that jump. We have had words with Newcastle, who would be disappointed.

“I understand why they would be disappointed, but then you can’t criticise Dan because it’s a