Man United’s Ashworth Departure Raises Bigger Questions Than Nottingham Forest Defeat
As the holiday season approaches, European soccer continues to deliver drama, surprises, and plenty of talking points. This past weekend was no exception, with Manchester United suffering another home defeat, Barcelona squandering a two-goal lead, and Juventus facing growing pressure on their manager. Let’s dive into the biggest stories and reactions from the weekend, starting with the chaos at Old Trafford.
Dan Ashworth’s Exit Overshadows Manchester United’s Loss to Nottingham Forest
Manchester United fans are no strangers to disappointment, but this weekend’s 3-2 home loss to Nottingham Forest was a bitter pill to swallow. The visitors managed just three shots on target, yet all three found the back of the net, thanks to a series of individual errors. Lisandro Martínez was outmuscled for the opener, André Onana’s misjudgment gifted Forest their second, and Martínez misread Chris Wood’s header for the third. These mistakes, while frustrating, can happen to even the best players.
On the attacking side, United weren’t entirely toothless. They scored twice, generated 1.60 xG from 17 shots, and even hit the woodwork. On another day, this could have been a win. But the real story isn’t the loss—it’s the abrupt departure of sporting director Dan Ashworth after just five months in the role.
United had reportedly paid Newcastle United around £5 million in compensation to secure Ashworth, a figure that falls between Newcastle’s initial £20 million demand and United’s £2 million offer. This investment now looks questionable, especially when juxtaposed with the club’s recent cost-cutting measures, such as laying off 250 staff and raising ticket prices. The ticket price hike, which affects the 3% of seats that typically go unsold, is expected to generate less than £1 million—far less than what was spent on Ashworth.
So, what went wrong? If Ashworth was as talented as Jim Ratcliffe, the club’s new sporting overseer, claimed, then his departure raises questions about Ratcliffe’s judgment. Conversely, if Ashworth wasn’t the right fit, why spend so much to bring him in? Either way, it’s a bad look for a club already under scrutiny. United fans can only hope this decision was made to avoid deeper conflicts within the recruitment team, but faith in the club’s leadership is undoubtedly being tested.
Barcelona Blow Another Lead, Real Madrid Close the Gap
Over in Spain, Barcelona’s title hopes took another hit as they let a 2-0 lead slip away in a 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo. This result allowed Real Madrid to close the gap at the top of LaLiga to just two points, with a game in hand. Manager Hansi Flick’s substitutions are under the microscope, with some blaming him for the dropped points. Flick replaced Dani Olmo and Raphinha with Frenkie de Jong and Ferran Torres, and later took off Robert Lewandowski and Pedri for Pau Víctor and Gavi. While Torres scored to restore Barca’s lead, Assane Diao’s injury-time equalizer left fans frustrated.
Critics argue that Flick’s changes disrupted the team’s rhythm, but the broader issue lies in Barcelona’s defensive setup. Their high line continues to leave them vulnerable, and against a struggling Betis side, they were fortunate not to concede more. Flick’s decision-making will remain a talking point, but the team’s defensive frailties are the bigger concern.
Juventus Fans Turn on Thiago Motta After Another Lackluster Display
In Italy, Juventus were booed off the pitch despite salvaging a late 1-1 draw against Bologna. Manager Thiago Motta, once hailed as a visionary, is now under fire for the team’s uninspiring performances. Juventus sit sixth in Serie A and are midtable in the Champions League, but their conservative and predictable style of play has left fans disillusioned.
Motta has faced challenges, including injuries to key players like Gleison Bremer and Nico Gonzalez, but the team’s lack of creativity and fear of making mistakes are worrying signs. While Motta has taken responsibility for the team’s struggles, his honeymoon period appears to be over. Juventus’ history demands success, and patience may be running thin.
Quick Hits: Weekend Highlights Across Europe
- Jamie Gittens Shines for Dortmund: The 20-year-old continues to impress, scoring four goals in four consecutive games. With nine goals and three assists in just over 1,100 minutes this season, Gittens is the latest English talent to thrive in Dortmund.
- Jamal Musiala Saves Bayern Munich: The young star came off the bench to score twice in Bayern’s nervy 4-2 win over Heidenheim. With Harry Kane absent, Musiala proved once again why he’s indispensable.
- Antoine Griezmann Inspires Atletico Madrid Comeback: Atletico rallied from 3-1 down to beat Sevilla 4-3, with Griezmann scoring twice, including a dramatic injury-time winner. The win keeps Atletico in the LaLiga title race.
From managerial missteps to individual brilliance, this weekend had it all. As the season heats up, the pressure on players and coaches alike will only intensify. Stay tuned for more reactions and analysis in the coming weeks!
Originally Written by: Gabriele Marcotti
