Dan Ashworth has left his position as Manchester United's sporting director after just five months in the role.

Ashworth officially began work at Old Trafford on July 1 but his arrival had been delayed by protracted negotiations with Newcastle, who made him serve a period of gardening leave.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe described Ashworth as one of "the top sporting directors in the world" when he joined, however, he has spectacularly left the club after just five months in his role.

Ashworth was expected to overhaul United's recruitment and usher in a new era following Ratcliffe's investment and his exit is a shock. Ashworth reported to CEO Omar Berrada during his time as sporting director and it's thought the the final decision to end his contract was mutual.

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Ashworth was involved in United's recruitment in the summer, which saw over £200million spent on Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs De Ligt and Noussair Mazraou.

United's recruitment from the summer window has been criticised. Zirkzee has failed to hit the ground running and there are questions marks surrounding other arrivals.

The decision to keep Erik ten Hag after a poor campaign was also contentious. The Dutchman was backed by club executives but Ashworth was quoted on his contract extension.

Ten Hag oversaw an eighth placed finish in the Premier League and recorded a minus goal difference. United contacted other managers but kept him after the FA Cup final.

Ashworth said on his appointment back in July: “This remains one of the biggest football clubs in the world, but that is not our measure of success; the focus is on getting back to being among the best on the pitch. It won’t happen overnight, but, together with Omar and his new leadership team, we will not rest until we have achieved it.

“This is one of my first opportunities to address Manchester United fans since joining the club as sporting director on 1 July, so I want to start by saying how delighted I am to be here.

“Although I grew up in Norfolk, I’ve always had a strong attachment with Manchester because my mum and dad were born in Middleton and my grandparents lived their whole lives there.

“When I visited as a boy, my dad would take me to games across Greater Manchester and I remember the thrill of my first visit to Old Trafford in the late 1970s, watching the likes of Lou Macari, Jimmy Nicholl and Arthur Albiston.

“I can’t claim to have been a partisan United fan – my dad enjoyed watching all the local teams – but I remember the special buzz that always seemed to surround games at Old Trafford, and it’s something I have experienced many times since during my career in football."

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