Go and speak to the boss: Dan Ashworth on new signing for Manchester United

Dan Ashworth was appointed as the new Sporting Director of Manchester United this summer.

Just like several other Premier League sides, Manchester United have also travelled to the United States this summer in order to prepare for the upcoming 2024-25 season. During this pre-season tour, the Red Devils are scheduled to play three friendly matches against the likes of Arsenal, Real Betis and Liverpool.

Prior to the tour, Erik ten Hag’s side have already played two friendly games so far, with a record of one defeat and one win to their name: a 1-0 loss against Rosenborg BK and a 2-0 win against Rangers.

Manager Erik ten Hag announced a 29-man travelling squad for the USA pre-season tour that primarily consisted of the club’s talented academy players. Many first-team regulars such as Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Bruno Fernandes, were not included due to their involvement in the latter stages of either Euro 2024 or Copa America 2024.

During one of the training sessions of the Manchester United squad in the United States, newly appointed Sporting Director of the club Dan Ashworth was also in attendance. The 53-year-old Englishman had a fun interaction regarding the club’s transfer activities with the United fans, who had come to watch the players train ahead of their pre-season matches.

Sporting Director Dan Ashworth said when fans asked him who they were signing in the transfer window, “I’m not allowed. Go and speak to the boss.”

🚨 Fans asking who are we signing?Dan Ashworth: "I'm not allowed. Go and speak to the Boss.."👀😀pic.twitter.com/jgAiOxYLc5

— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) July 27, 2024

After his incredible stints at fellow Premier League clubs Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United, Dan Ashworth was appointed as the new Sporting Director of Manchester United in the summer. The club hierarchy had to pay a sizeable compensation fee to Newcastle in order to acquire Ashworth’s services, who was put on gardening leave for months by the club.

The former non-league footballer grew to prominence owing to his stellar work as the Technical Director of Brighton. During his tenure there, he was responsible for the smart recruitment of Moisés Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister, who were later sold by the club for huge money.

Following that, Ashworth enjoyed a successful two-year spell as the Sporting Director of Newcastle United, where he cemented the club’s status as a top team in the Premier League.

With a revamped sporting structure, Manchester United have been proactive in the transfer market this summer. They have already completed two big signings so far: Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for €42.5 million and Leny Yoro from LOSC Lille for €62 million. In addition, Erik ten Hag was also offered a new contract after a detailed review of his work at the club.

Ever since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group took over the running of the club’s football operations, the Red Devils have witnessed a whole host of changes in the working structure.

Along with Ashworth, INEOS have also appointed Omar Berrada as the new CEO of the club and Jason Wilcox as the new Technical Director in order to bring back footballing success at Manchester United.

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