Advertisement

Dan Ashworth was top of his game at Newcastle - I nearly swore after what Man United did to him

Manchester United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Sir Dave Brailsford, CEO Omar Berrada and Dan Ashworth
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Shay Given has hit out at Manchester United's 'poor showing' following Dan Ashworth's sudden departure.

It is approaching a year now since Newcastle United placed Ashworth on gardening leave and demanded a fee of up to £20m to cut short the sporting director's lengthy notice period. Sir Jim Ratcliffe slammed Newcastle's 'absurd' demands as the Manchester United part-owner brazenly hailed Ashworth as one of the best sporting directors in the world.

A seven-figure settlement was eventually reached, but Ashworth ended up spending as much time on gardening leave as he did formally working for Manchester United. Ashworth left the club last month and Given certainly did not see the 53-year-old's shock exit coming.

READ MORE: Odysseas Vlachodimos transfer stance after Newcastle United exit rejected

READ MORE: Liverpool and Man United offer Newcastle United transfer reassurance amid £80m spree

"I worked a little bit with Dan," the Newcastle legend told the Monday Night Club. "I met him a few times in Newcastle.

"He was top of his game when it comes to recruitment, organising football clubs, building them up and getting the right personnel through the door. I was going to swear there, but that was a bit of a poor showing from them."

Ashworth was the senior figure quoted when Manchester United extended former manager Erik ten Hag's contract and when the club committed to spending more than £205m - if various add-ons are met - on Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte. The Red Devils are currently languishing in 13th place in the table and even boss Ruben Amorim labelled his side as 'maybe the worst team in the club's history' following a 3-1 defeat against Brighton at Old Trafford a couple of days ago.