Full Manchester United statement as agreement REACHED with Newcastle for Dan Ashworth

Manchester United have made a full statement as the club appoint Dan Ashworth from Newcastle United as their new sporting director.

Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s 27.7% acquisition of Manchester United, wholesale changes have been made at the top of Old Trafford.

While former CEO Richard Arnold and former football director John Murtough have left the club, new faces have arrived. Jason Wilcox, from Southampton, is the club’s new technical director, while Omar Berrada will start as the new CEO later this month.

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The most difficult appointment has proven to be that of Dan Ashoworth as sporting director from Newcastle United, but in a new announcement, the club have confirmed that he will not commence in his new role.

“Newcastle United and Manchester United have reached an agreement for the immediate release of Dan Ashworth from his contractual obligations at Newcastle United,” a club statement on Monday evening read.

“The terms of this agreement remain confidential between the clubs. Newcastle United thanks Dan for his services and wishes him well for the future.”

Reports have repeatedly documented that Newcastle United have been demanding in excess of £15 million to end Ashworth’s gardening leave, but following the passing of the Profit and Sustainability deadline, an agreement at a much lower fee has seemingly been reached.

Ashworth will be a key player at United over the next few seasons as INEOS rebuild the club, and Ratcliffe himself will no doubt be happy that the saga, which started at the beginning of the year, is over.

“It’s a bit silly, personally. I won’t get dragged into that,” he said earlier this year when asked about why Ashworth has not yet been appointed.

“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. We had a very grown-up conversation with City about Omar [Berrada].

“When things got done, we sorted it out very amicably. They could see why he wanted to take that challenge.

“You look at Pep [Guardiola] when he’s done with one of his footballers; he doesn’t want them to sit in the garden for one and a half years. He doesn’t do that. That’s not the way the UK works or the law works.”

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