Manchester United finally agree deal to appoint Dan Ashworth as sporting director | OneFootball

Sir Jim Ratcliffe had been critical of Newcastle’s stance

Manchester United have finally agreed a deal for Dan Ashworth to become their new sporting director.

It is understood Ashworth will begin his new role at Old Trafford with immediate effect.

Newcastle had been reported to be seeking £20million to release Ashworth, a figure Ratcliffe described as "a bit silly" back in February, but a compromise has now been reached.

Prior to joining Newcastle in 2022, Ashworth had been with Brighton.

Speaking earlier this year when a deal for Ashworth was still be to struck, Ratcliffe said: "I think Dan Ashworth is clearly one of the top sporting directors in the world. I've no doubt he's a very, very capable person.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is overseeing a huge overhaul at Manchester United

PA

"And he's interested in the Manchester United job because it's probably the biggest sporting director job in the world just now, with the biggest challenge.

"It would be different if you were sporting director at Manchester City, because you're just maintaining a level. With Manchester United, you've got quite a significant building job.

"I think it'd be a very good addition to Manchester United, but he needs to decide whether he's going to make that jump.

"We've obviously had words with Newcastle. They clearly would be disappointed to lose Dan. I understand why they would be disappointed to lose Dan but then you can't equally criticise Dan because it is a transient industry.

"So we'll have to see how it unfolds. What I do think is completely absurd is suggesting that a man who's really good at his job, sits in his garden for one and a half years.

"I mean, that's completely stupid. We had a very grown-up conversation with Manchester City about Omar (Berrada). Things calmed up and we sorted it out very amicably."