Manchester United has announced the departure of Dan Ashworth from his role as sporting director, just five months after his appointment. The club confirmed the news on December 8, following a disappointing 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest that left United languishing in 13th place in the Premier League.
Ashworth, who joined the club on July 1 after a protracted negotiation with Newcastle United, was brought in as part of a significant restructuring under minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. His arrival was seen as a key move to revitalize the club's operations and improve its fortunes on the pitch.
In a statement, Manchester United expressed gratitude for Ashworth's contributions during what they described as a transitional period: "Dan Ashworth will be leaving his role as sporting director of Manchester United by mutual agreement. We would like to thank Dan for his work and support during this time and wish him well for the future."
During his brief tenure, Ashworth oversaw substantial spending in the summer transfer window, with five major signings—including Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui—costing over £180 million. However, none of these players have significantly impacted the team's performance thus far.
