Dan Ashworth sacking 'not a good look' as Manchester United legend 'shocked' at Ineos decision

Pundits have been delivering their reaction to the news that Dan Ashworth has been sacked by Manchester United.

The 53-year-old was relieved of his duties as United's sporting director by mutual agreement on Sunday after just five months in the position. Ashworth began work 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 now left the club less than half a season into his reign.

The former Brighton and Newcastle director was expected to oversee United's recruitment for years to come and usher in a new era following Ratcliffe's investment, and his exit is a shock. It's thought the decision was mutual. Here, the Manchester Evening News takes a look at what pundits have had to say about his dismissal.

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'I'm really shocked'

Manchester United icon Gary Neville has expressed his shock at Dan Ashworth's exit as sporting director. He told NBC Sports: "Something like that can't be mutual. We all knew when INEOS came in, there would be huge changes, there has been - massive redundancies in the club, a complete overhaul of the executive in the club, CEO, CFO, sporting director, technical director, manager just recently as well.

"You would have expected large changes but not for this position. Dan Ashworth was headhunted for many, many months, he was chased for about 10 months, he was on gardening leave for four or five minutes, he was paid millions of pounds for, I worked with Dan Ashworth at the FA and he's been successful wherever he has gone.

"I'm really shocked this morning that this has happened this morning and it's going to need a lot of explaining. The statement that the club has put out is really poor."

"Manchester United haven't had a voice for 10 years," he added. "They lost their authority, their boldness, I think they've been getting it back in the last 12 months but what is clear is that there's a fracture here, something has happened. You can't bring someone at the level of Dan Ashworth, lose him after five months and I think something hasn't gone wrong.

"Fans are going to be asking the question of what's gone wrong, they'll speculate, it'll leave huge voids and I think it's better to punch us in the face when it is so obvious that something has gone wrong between the personalities of Dan Ashworth, Omar Berrada, Sir Dave Brailsford.

"Whoever it is in the last few months that have not gone on with each other or it's not been working. Just tell us, it's obvious something has happened, I think that statement was weak."

'Set United back by a year'

Joe Cole has slammed departing Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth for the 'terrible' business he believes has put the club back a year. He told Paddy Power: "I wouldn’t say this season is a write-off for Manchester United - they could still build some momentum. But they are absolutely going through a rebuild. There are so many players in that Manchester United team that I don’t think can take them where they want to go.

"I praised the Manchester United staff, who have all come in with stellar reputations. But their first transfer window was terrible – it probably set United back by a year. "They can’t miss in the next transfer windows; they need to get players that can play for this United squad."

'It's not a good look'

Manchester United legend Gary Pallister has admitted the sacking of Dan Ashworth is 'not a good look' for Ineos and Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Speaking to MyBettingSites.co.uk, Pallister said: "I think everybody was caught off guard by the news of Dan Ashworth. He was somebody that was picked out to be the man to address the balance and recruitment, because the recruitment hasn't been well for many years.

"We have wasted an awful amount of money on players that haven't stood up to the task, and we all thought Dan was gonna be integral moving forward. It's hard to talk about it right now because of all the rumours. It is surprising and it's not a good look because he was seen as the man who should move us forward in that department.

"I am sure that a lot will come out in the wash. I guess, a lot has gone on behind closed doors, but I am sure they were just not happy with the fit. But it's not a good look, because he was the man who should make a difference in recruitment. But it might not have gone as well as they thought."