Dan Ashworth makes brilliant move as Newcastle set to crumble at Manchester United’s demands

Dan Ashworth had made a brilliant move as he looks to force Newcastle United into accepting Manchester United’s compensation demands.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to bring former Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth to assume the same role at Manchester United as part of INEOS‘ “best in class” overhaul of those high up at Old Trafford.

However, Newcastle United have proven themselves to be tough negotiators, playing Ashworth on two-years gardening leave and demanding as much as £20 million for the Englishman’s services.

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This, of course, is completely ridiculous, but Newcastle seem angered at the idea of such a high-class operative ditching St. James’ Park for the much more exciting role he has been offered at Old Trafford.

According to The Athletic, Ashworth has made a brilliant move—he is now set to take Newcastle to arbitration to help facilitate his move to United as soon as possible.

This may force Newcastle to crumble and accept United’s offer for Ashworth, which some reports indicate sits at around £2-4 million, which is a much more reasonable fee.

With James Wilcox now joining the club as the new technical director, Ashworth is another major appointment that INEOS wants to get over the line. Ratcliffe is full of praise for the former FA man.

“I think Dan Ashworth is clearly one of the top sporting directors in the world, I’ve no doubt,” Ratcliffe said in February.

“He’s a very capable person. 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.

“We’ve obviously had words with Newcastle. They would clearly be disappointed to lose Dan. But what I do think is completely absurd is suggesting a man who is really good at his job sits in his garden for one and a half years. That’s completely stupid.”

Omar Berrada is also set to start his new role as chief executive officer of the club in mid-June once his gardening leave with Manchester City ends.