Newcastle show their hand as Manchester United Dan Ashworth talks continue

Newcastle United have ‘identified their replacement’ for Dan Ashworth as their talks with Manchester United continue into their second month.

INEOS is still looking to secure Dan Ashworth as Manchester United‘s sporting director following Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s 27.7% acquisition of the Old Trafford club.

They have already made some significant moves since the deal was announced on Christmas Eve, for example, appointing Manchester City‘s Omar Berrada as CEO of Manchester United, and their pursuit of Ashworth will almost certainly end with him landing a role at Old Trafford.

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Newcastle United very much complicated matters earlier this year after they placed Ashworth on gardening leave until 2026, which scuppers United’s plans have the Englishman through the doors by the summer window.

It has also been claimed that Newcastle want as much as £20 million in compensation, although talks are said to be continuing to find a resolution to this.

However, the Gordie club have somewhat shown their hand recently, as The Times now claim that they are now looking at replacements for Ashworth, signalling that they know in the end that they will have to give him up to INEOS at some point in the future.

It is claimed that Benfica chief Rui Pedro Braz is being considered by the St James’ Park club as a potential successor for Ashworth, but they will be unable to appoint a direct replacement in the same role until they get Ashworth off their books.

Of course they could just appoint Braz or any other replacement with a different job title until the saga with United is resolved, but Newcastle will have to continue paying Ashworth’s wages in full until they take him off gardening leave.