Dan Ashworth’s brief stint as Manchester United as sporting director has come to an end after just five months in the role.
The decision was reportedly communicated to Ashworth following United’s home defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, according to sources familiar with the situation.
The Athletic first reported the news of Ashworth’s departure, later confirmed by a club statement, which described the decision as a mutual agreement.
“We would like to thank Dan for his work and support during a transitional period for the club and wish him well for the future,” the statement read.
Witnesses observed Ashworth walking through the press conference area alongside the club’s chief operating officer, Collette Roche, after the Nottingham Forest match. It is believed he was en route to the meeting where his exit was finalized.
Ashworth officially joined United on July 1, 2024, following a five-month gardening leave from Newcastle.
His recruitment had been a drawn-out process, with United paying £3m in compensation to Newcastle to secure his services.
Manchester United’s season has been underwhelming, with significant managerial and financial upheaval. Manager Erik ten Hag was dismissed in October after securing just three wins in the first nine Premier League games.
His departure cost the club £10.4m in severance payments for him and his staff.
Ten Hag’s successor, Ruben Amorim, arrived from Sporting Lisbon after United activated an £11m release clause.
However, the club’s form has failed to improve substantially, leaving them 13th in the Premier League standings with just five wins from 15 matches.
Fans have also criticized owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe for eliminating concessions on match tickets and introducing a £66 minimum price, a move that led to protests at Old Trafford ahead of their recent win over Everton.
Ratcliffe defended the decision, stating it was necessary to raise funds for first-team investments, while warning of more “difficult and unpopular decisions” to come.
United’s financial struggles were highlighted in their latest accounts, revealing a £113.2m net loss for the year ending June 30, 2024. Over the past five years, the club has accumulated losses exceeding £370m.
Ashworth’s abrupt departure is seen as a setback for the club. As recently as February, Ratcliffe had expressed frustration over delays in bringing Ashworth to Old Trafford, with Newcastle demanding compensation.
The negotiations resulted in Ashworth spending as much time on gardening leave as he did in the role.
Critics have called this episode, along with the costly managerial changes, evidence of flawed decision-making.
The combined cost of sacking Ten Hag, hiring Amorim, and appointing—and now parting ways with—Ashworth has amounted to nearly £25m.
Ashworth’s exit has left questions about the club’s structure and strategy under its new leadership. Insiders described the decision as difficult but collaborative, attributing it to a transitional phase under the new ownership.
Before joining Manchester United, Ashworth had built a reputation as a respected football administrator, with notable tenures at West Bromwich Albion, the Football Association, and Brighton.
He joined Newcastle in 2022, where he played a key role in their resurgence before making the move to Old Trafford in July.
At United, Ashworth was part of a revamped leadership team that included technical director Jason Wilcox, formerly of Southampton, and CEO Omar Berrada, previously of Manchester City.
However, his departure marks another chapter in a turbulent period for the club.
