Dan Ashworth, who recently transitioned from Newcastle United to his new role as the sports director at Manchester United, has shared his excitement with the club’s supporters. This move, finalized last month, involved Manchester United agreeing to pay Newcastle a compensation fee to release Ashworth from his previous contract, allowing him to commence his duties at Old Trafford. In the short span of three weeks since taking on his new position, Ashworth has already overseen significant transfers, including the signings of Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna and Leny Yoro from Lille. These acquisitions, amounting to a total of £88 million including add-ons, underscore Manchester United’s ambition to strengthen their squad under Ashworth’s guidance.
Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag, the manager who led the team to an eighth-place finish in the Premier League and an FA Cup victory last season, has secured a new contract with the club. This extension reflects the club’s confidence in ten Hag’s abilities and his vision for the team. At the same time, Newcastle United has appointed Paul Mitchell as their new sports director, marking a new era at St. James’ Park.
In a heartfelt message to Manchester United fans, Ashworth expressed his enthusiasm for joining the club, stating, “This is one of my first opportunities to connect with Manchester United supporters since I took up the role of sporting director on July 1st. I want to begin by saying how thrilled I am to be here.” He emphasized the sense of renewal at the club, noting that the end of a season typically serves as a reset moment for any club, but this summer has felt particularly transformative for Manchester United due to the establishment of a new leadership structure.
Ashworth highlighted the club’s decisive actions this summer, particularly the extension of Erik ten Hag’s contract as the manager of the men’s first team until June 2026. He described this decision as a testament to the club’s faith in ten Hag, whom he regards as one of Europe’s elite coaches. Ashworth also underscored the importance of the women’s team and the academy’s development, areas in which he has considerable experience. During his tenures at Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion, and the FA, women’s football played a significant role in his responsibilities, and he plans to continue prioritizing it at Manchester United. He expressed a strong desire to contribute to the growth of women’s football, which he views as one of the most exciting areas of the sport globally.
Looking forward to the new Premier League season, Ashworth shared his anticipation for the moment he will first take his place in the directors’ box at Old Trafford during the season opener against Fulham on August 16. He noted that the off-season typically represents a period of renewal for clubs, but this summer has been particularly notable for Manchester United, with the formation of a new leadership team. Ashworth mentioned key figures such as Omar Berrada, the CEO, and Jason Wilcox, the technology director, emphasizing that they have wasted no time in getting down to work.
In his message, Ashworth also acknowledged the grandeur of Manchester United, describing it as one of the biggest football clubs in the world. However, he emphasized that their success would not be measured merely by their size or history. The ultimate goal, he stated, is to re-establish the club as one of the best on the field, a mission that will require time and dedication. Ashworth assured fans that the new leadership team, led by Omar Berrada, is fully committed to this goal and will not rest until it is achieved, even though the journey will not be quick.
Ashworth’s journey to Manchester United began with his appointment at Newcastle in June 2022. However, his time at Newcastle was cut short when Manchester United expressed interest in bringing him to Old Trafford. This led to his placement on gardening leave, a period during which he was not actively involved in club activities while negotiations took place. The two clubs finally reached an agreement five months ago, allowing the 53-year-old Ashworth to commence his role at Manchester United. The compensation fee agreed upon was reportedly around £10 million, a figure lower than the initially rumored £20 million that Newcastle was seeking.