Man United and Newcastle expected to reach agreement over Dan Ashworth early NEXT WEEK for him to become Red Devils’ new sporting director

• Dan Ashworth wants to move to Manchester United to be their sporting director 
• Man United are preparing a formal approach for the highly-rated Newcastle man
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Manchester United and Newcastle are expected to reach an agreement over Dan Ashworth as early as next week, Mail Sport understands.

A formal approach from Man United is being prepared for the sporting director and a swift conclusion is the preference of all parties.

We understand Ashworth wants to swap St James’ Park for Old Trafford and, if a compensation package is agreed, there is likely to be movement in the coming days, even though a lengthy period of gardening leave is probable.

The 52-year-old is seen as the best in the business by incoming Man United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team, and the focus of his remit would be recruitment.

Ashworth has not had as much control as he expected at Newcastle, the club he joined in the summer of 2022. There has been no fallout but it is thought the lure of the project at Man United, and his relationship with INEOS director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford, has persuaded him the time is right to move on.

INEOS are not waiting around as they anticipate imminent finalisation of their 25 percent stake in United, and control of the club’s football operations. Recruitment is their number one priority with the rebuild of the stadium secondary.

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They are determined to find a better balance to recruitment than what has been achieved over the past 10 years and have identified Ashworth as the ideal lead to a new-look team. Other support appointments are expected to follow quickly as United want to be ready to move early ahead of the summer transfer window, with targets already being identified.

Brailsford and Ratcliffe showed their intentions to bring in the best with the astute acquisition of Omar Berrada as chief executive from neighbours Manchester City, and Ashworth will be viewed as another statement of their intent. In addition to a substantial personal financial package, he will also be offered significant power behind the scenes.

Since joining Newcastle from Brighton in the summer of 2022, Ashworth, according to multiple sources, has found his remit limited. Indeed, the prospect of having greater control at Old Trafford is likely to be among the key factors in deciding his future.

Ratcliffe, alongside trusted aide Brailsford, wants to re-introduce a ‘British soul’ into United’s operation, with Ashworth’s expertise of the domestic industry key towards what INEOS want to build.

If Ashworth departs, former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards is likely to emerge as a candidate to take the reins at Newcastle. Edwards, one of the most sought after operators in the game, left Anfield in June 2022 but has since returned to the sports industry after launching an advisory firm alongside Liverpool’s ex-director of research Ian Graham.

Bournemouth’s current technical director Richard Hughes may also be considered to fill a vacancy. Hughes, who has also been linked with a similar role at Liverpool, has worked with Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe on the south coast, where the pair formed a strong bond.