Dan Ashworth blamed for double Manchester United transfer as Ineos left 'infuriated'

Manchester United made the shock announcement on Sunday that Dan Ashworth had left his position as sporting director after just five months.

The news came after United's poor 3-2 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest, which has left them 13th in the Premier League table after 15 games. Saturday's defeat to Nuno Espirito Santo's team followed Wednesday's 2-0 loss at Arsenal.

United will now be looking to bounce back when they travel to Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on Thursday. The Reds will then return to domestic action in the Manchester derby on Sunday with both City and Ruben Amorim's side enduring a poor run of form.

READ MORE: Sir Jim Ratcliffe promised to stop Manchester United chaos - but nothing has changed at Old Trafford

READ MORE: Manchester United sporting director latest as favourite to replace Dan Ashworth emerges

Below, The Manchester Evening News has provided a round-up of the latest headlines surrounding United as well as a view on each of them...

Dan Ashworth has been blamed for the signings of Joshua Zikzee and Matthijs de Ligt. Both players have struggled since arriving at Old Trafford in the Summer.

According to ESPN, Ashworth played a key role in both deals with De Ligt claimed to have been signed as Ashworth wanted to show his backing to previous manager Erik ten Hag, who was keen on the deal. Zirkzee, meanwhile, is said to have been identified by Ashworth’s scouting team based on data analytics.

MEN Sport's Isaac Seelochan says: "Zikzee has looked like a poor signing in particular, and when you consider his low goalscoring stats in Italy, it really was a baffling decision. Ashworth hasn't covered himself in glory on several summer deals, but he is one of several figures at the club