Dan Ashworth is edging closer to becoming the new sporting director of Manchester United.

Manchester United’s new footballing structure under INEOS co-ownership of the club can finally begin after pricing away high in demand sporting director Dan Ashworth from Newcastle United.

🚨🔴 OFFICIAL: Dan Ashworth signs as new Man United sporting director from Newcastle.

“Newcastle and Manchester United have reached an agreement for the immediate release of Dan Ashworth”.

“The terms of this agreement remain confidential between the clubs”. pic.twitter.com/NfYbjcUKNX

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 1, 2024

Newcastle United placed the 53-year-old on gardening leave in February after the Red Devils’ interest became concrete to Ashworth and he immediately made the decision to leave.

There was a long process of finalising Ashworth while on gardening leave for the last four months, the major stumbling block was finding a compromise between two clubs on a compensation fee.

Newcastle United reportedly wanted as high as £20 million worth of compensation which Manchester United felt unrealistic to meet.

During the pursuit of Ashworth earlier this year Sir Jim Ratcliffe,co-owner of Manchester United said in a BBC interview about the prospect of having him:

“I think Dan Ashworth is a 10/10 sporting director - one of the best around. He would be very good for Manchester United. It is understandable that somebody like Dan would see the Manchester United job as a very interesting challenge at this stage of his career.”

Sir Jim Ratcliffe: "I think Dan Ashworth is a 10/10 sporting director - one of the best around. He would be very good for Manchester United. It is understandable that somebody like Dan would see the Manchester United job as a very interesting challenge at this stage of his… pic.twitter.com/0q4uXuBZX4

— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) February 21, 2024

Ashworth has a great track record from his time as a sporting director at Brighton and Hove Albion, West Bromwich Albion, the Football Association and recently at Newcastle United.

This appointment will be key ahead of INEOS’s first transfer window with the club and have already pouched Omar Berrada, CEO from Manchester City and Jason Wilcox as their new technical director.

Ashworth will start with immediate effect and work closely alongside Berrada and Wilcox on the recruitment which INEOS sees as a major part of Manchester United that needs improvement.