Sir Jim Ratcliffe had to admit to a mistake at Manchester United when he sacked Dan Ashworth just five months after hiring him.
After the Ineos takeover, one of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s top priorities was to establish a proper footballing structure at Old Trafford.
Manchester United went years without a sporting director, but Dan Ashworth was identified as the top candidate to fill the void.
Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis.United spent £2.5m to poach Ashworth from Newcastle United, but his impact at Old Trafford was not what Ratcliffe was expecting.
Ashworth was sacked in December last year. He had only spent five months in the job after spending the previous four months on gardening leave.
The only positive from Dan Ashworth joining Man United
Ashworth went against Ratcliffe with some of his decision-making at Old Trafford, and it was decided that he was not a good fit for Ineos’ new leadership team.
The entire saga was an embarrassment for Ineos at a time when confidence in the new owners was already decreasing.
However, there was one silver lining from Ashworth’s appointment. As per BBC Sport, it is felt inside Old Trafford that Ashworth’s willingness to leave Newcastle for United’s project is a positive, and reflects well on the club’s stature.
Ashworth was one of the most highly-rated directors in football and Newcastle pushed hard to recruit him. But when United came calling, he set his sights firmly on making the move to Old Trafford.
Despite the lack of success in the past 10 years, United continues to be an attractive location for those at the top of the sport.
Man United must be a priority for new signings
Since Ashworth’s departure, Jason Wilcox was made sporting director, and his work alongside Ruben Amorim and CEO Omar Berrada means there is now a strong bond between coaching staff and boardroom.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe gave Ruben Amorim his support
In the summer, Wilcox made it clear that all four United signings rejected other offers to make a move to Old Trafford.
Despite United having no European football, a move to Old Trafford was too good to turn down for Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens.
Just like Ashworth, players cannot resist the chance to turn things around at United and get the club back to the top of English football.