For Manchester United, there is just one final piece of the footballing structure puzzle to appoint, and it’s closer than we think.
Since the part-takeover of Manchester United by Ineos and Sir Jim Ratcliffe was confirmed, the talk has all been centred around fixing the footballing hierarchy at the club.
We’ve since seen a complete overhaul with John Murtough, Richard Arnold and others being relieved of their duties.
In turn, we’ve seen Omar Berrada arrive as the new CEO and also Jason Wilcox as the technical director. Both of these are excellent additions.
But there’s one position yet to be filled, this being the sporting director role for which Dan Ashworth is being headhunted.
Recent rumours have suggested that Newcastle and United are far apart in negotiations, but HITC’s Graeme Bailey has a differing view, as he told United in Focus.
Dan Ashworth to Manchester United is not miles away
Despite the common belief that the two sides are quite far apart in negotiations, Graeme thinks that the two clubs aren’t quite being honest about this.
“We know Ratcliffe has met Amanda Stavely. My sources don’t agree with the fact that it [both clubs] are so far apart [in compensation negotiations].
“Why would Ratcliffe meet Stavely if they’re so far apart? It wouldn’t be worth either of their while if that was the case.
“I think it’s closer than some people would have fans believe.”
Graeme raises an excellent point, both Stavely and Ratcliffe are busy people so if the deal is as far apart as ever, why would they step in?
Ashworth will be at Old Trafford, a matter of when not if
With Ashworth set to bring Newcastle to the court of arbitration over the dragging out of his move to United, it could be that things accelerate quickly at any point.
United still want Ashworth in place for the start of the transfer window in June, as unlikely as that does seem at this stage.
Failing this, the start of the season has been set as a realistic target for his arrival with Wilcox likely to play a major role in recruitment this summer.
It’s a matter of when not if for Ashworth, he will get his move to United just depends on whether that is sooner or later at this point.