What Dan Ashworth said about unpopular Manchester United transfer strategy, it could lead to “catastrophic mistake”

Dan Ashworth was sacked by Manchester United less than six months after he started his role as sporting director at Old Trafford.

Manchester United’s new-look regime under INEOS looked to have major promise with Dan Ashworth, Jason Wilcox an Omar Berrada running things.

However, the former Brighton and Newcastle executive departed the club in December to the surprise of almost everybody. Wilcox has since taken on his duties.

Those at United are still looking for ways to improve their financial position after several years of misguided spending in the transfer market.

One of those ways has been reported to being open to selling prize assets such as Kobbie Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho at the right price.

This is because those such players hold higher value than most of their teammates while also being ‘pure profit’ on the balance sheets as they are homegrown talent.

It was no surprise to see these reports met with dismay from United supporters, who understandably dislike the idea that they need to sell Academy players due to financial reasons.

What Ashworth said about United strategy

This transfer approach, which we are seeing more and more in the modern game due to PSR rules, was something Ashworth discussed with journalists before his United departure.

Ashworth was involved in the summer transfer window where the Reds sold Scott McTominay to Napoli for around £25 million – a deal which saw United receive that ‘pure profit’ so often spoken about.

“I don’t want to sit here and say no player is going to be a one-club person again,” said Ashworth when asked about the increasing number of homegrown talent sales in football.

“But the rules have, as an unintended consequence, made it slightly more attractive to sell players with a zero-book value, which is consequently either players you sign on a free or players that come through your system.”

United selling Mainoo would be catastrophic mistake

Ultimately, no matter what the rules are, if United were to sell someone like Mainoo, it would be labelled as a “catastrophic mistake”.

Thankfully, it doesn’t look like that is going to happen, with United set to move forward with contract negotiations for the 19-year-old after securing Amad to a new long-term deal earlier this month.

It is understandable that United would be open to offers for their players but the new INEOS regime must be careful that they don’t fall away from the DNA of Manchester United.

Read More: Manchester United exit will be ‘finalised imminently’ with Jason Wilcox influence clear

But like Ashworth mentioned, this is happening across the country more and more because of the rules in place. United need to make sure they are not in a financial position to worry about this.

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