Former captain Gary Neville is confident the appointment of Dan Ashworth as sporting director will improve Manchester United’s success rate in the transfer market.
Ashworth was officially installed as United’s inaugural sporting director last Monday, putting the brakes on several months of speculation. He has joined Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox in being added to United’s new-look hierarchy.
Ineos identified Ashworth, formerly of Newcastle United, as their top target for the position several months ago. He is widely regarded as being the best in class and United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made it his mission to build an elite-level football structure.
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Ashworth is set to play a key role in United’s recruitment plans this summer with the club keen to improve their success rates in both the buyer’s and the seller’s markets. United’s recruitment policy has been heavily criticised in recent years, not least because of the amount of money they have wasted on failed imports.
However, with Ashworth now in situ, Neville believes United’s recruitment outlook will change for the better, admitting that he does not believe the club will splash the cash for the sake of it.
Neville told Sky Sports: “What I am hopeful of is that all of the appointments that have been made in and around Erik ten Hag… obviously a new CEO, Dan Ashworth, who I think does bring composure. I think he also deserves a mention in respect of the performances of this England team over the last few years.
“He was one of the key people in building the foundations of this new England look. You won’t get another situation, I don’t think, with Dan Ashworth there and the other people whereby United are panicking in the transfer window and shooting from the hip like they have done in years gone by.
“I think it will be quite measured. I think if they can’t get who they want, they won’t buy anyone. I think they will make sure they’re quite focused and precise in what they do moving forward.
“That should give Erik ten Hag more stability and better advice around him and more experience which hopefully will help him.”
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
