Manchester United’s decision to part ways with sporting director Dan Ashworth over the weekend has caused quite a stir at Old Trafford and beyond. In February, Sir Jim Ratcliffe praised Ashworth as one of the best in the world when United publicly pursued him from Newcastle United. However, just five months after he finally joined the club, he has now been let go. Neither United, who paid a significant sum to release the 53-year-old from his Newcastle contract, nor Ashworth have come out of this situation favorably, leaving both to face questions about their future plans. So, what lies ahead for United and Ashworth? Contributors to our Analytic 5 newsletter have shared their opinions below. You can register for Analytic 5 to receive the most recent football analysis by completing the form below or by clicking this link. READ MORE: There are employees at Manchester United who can demonstrate to Sir Jim Ratcliffe that he is mistaken. LEARN MORE: The uneasy reality regarding Lisandro Martinez’s performances with Manchester United. Were you taken aback by Ashworth’s resignation? Ross Gregory: Considering how long they took to recruit him, ending the relationship with Ashworth so quickly into his time there is quite surprising. Ashworth excels at constructing frameworks and ideologies behind the scenes, but is not as proficient in areas like recruitment. United believed they required an effective framework to manage the club, and Ashworth has a strong connection with Sir Dave Brailsford, who continues to be an important figure at the club.
