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Manchester United have reportedly decided against appointing a replacement for Dan Ashworth, opting to completely eliminate the sporting director role from their structure.
On Sunday, a bombshell report by The Athletic revealed that Ashworth had parted ways with United after just five months as their maiden sporting director.
It’s understood that the decision to axe him was made in a meeting, after United’s 3-2 loss at the hands of Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
United instigated the separation, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe playing a key role in Ashworth’s shock departure.
It was subsequently claimed that Ashworth’s relations with some of the other United executives – including CEO Omar Berrada, Sir Dave Brailsford and Ratcliffe himself – were strained.
The Athletic also pointed out that Ratcliffe quickly grew unimpressed with Ashworth, citing several actions and remarks that did not sit well with the INEOS billionaire.
There was an expectation that United would move to secure a replacement for Ashworth, with outgoing Atletico Madrid Andrea Berta mentioned as a possible candidate to fill the now-vacant position.
However, according to The Sun, United have opted against bringing in a new face.
“Manchester United have ditched the role of sporting director after their failed Dan Ashworth experiment.”
“Red Devils part-owner Ratcliffe decided that his Ineos right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford, United chief exec Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox will share the responsibilities of the position.”
“Ashworth, 53, was forced out of Old Trafford after losing a power battle with ex-City executive Berrada. The pair had a huge fall-out over how the club should move forward in a bid to get back to the top of English football.”
The Sun futher note that Ashworth is now a target for Premier League rivals Arsenal, who are on the hunt for a new sporting director.
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