Dan Ashworth’s Sudden Exit: Manchester United’s Sporting Director Leaves After Just Five Months
In a move that has left Manchester United fans scratching their heads, Dan Ashworth has stepped down as the club’s sporting director after just five months in the role. The club confirmed the news on Sunday, marking yet another twist in what has been a turbulent season at Old Trafford.
Ashworth, who officially joined United in July, was seen as a key figure in Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ambitious plans to revamp the club. His arrival came after a settlement—reportedly costing millions of pounds—was reached with his former club, Newcastle United. However, his tenure has been cut short after overseeing just one transfer window and less than a month after the appointment of new head coach Ruben Amorim.
A Short-Lived Tenure
In a statement, Manchester United said, “Dan Ashworth will be leaving his role as Sporting Director of Manchester United by 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.”
Sources close to the club told ESPN that Ashworth’s move to Old Trafford simply “has not worked out,” and the decision to part ways was described as “difficult” but “made collaboratively.” Ashworth was present at Old Trafford on Saturday to witness United’s 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest, a result that has only added to the club’s woes this season.
Big Plans, Big Spending, Minimal Results
Ashworth’s role at United was supposed to be pivotal. Alongside technical director Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada, he was central to the process of selecting a successor to Erik ten Hag, which ultimately led to the appointment of Ruben Amorim from Sporting CP. Additionally, Ashworth oversaw a busy summer transfer window, bringing in five major signings:
These signings came at a combined cost of more than £180 million ($229.3 million). Despite the significant investment, the results on the pitch have been underwhelming. Saturday’s loss to Nottingham Forest left United sitting 13th in the Premier League table with just 19 points from 15 games—their lowest tally at this stage of the season since 1986.
What’s Next for United?
Manchester United’s struggles this season have been well-documented. The club is in the midst of a massive rebuild, and Ashworth’s departure only adds to the uncertainty. With a Europa League clash against FC Viktoria Plzen on Thursday and a daunting Manchester derby against City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, the pressure is mounting on Ruben Amorim and the rest of the club’s leadership to turn things around.
Janusz Michallik, speaking on ESPN, didn’t hold back in his criticism of the squad, saying, “There’s just not enough good players at Man United.” It’s a sentiment that many fans and pundits seem to share as the club continues to struggle for consistency and identity.
For now, the focus will shift to finding a replacement for Ashworth and addressing the glaring issues on the pitch. Whether Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s vision for a revamped Manchester United can still be realized remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the road back to the top is going to be a long and challenging one.
Originally Written by: Mark Ogden
