Dan Ashworth has already revealed two Man United priorities following Newcastle agreement

Dan Ashworth has already hinted at what his first two tasks will be as Manchester United sporting director. The 53-year-old, who joined Newcastle United from Brighton in May 2022, is set to swap St James' Park for Old Trafford this summer following an extended period on gardening leave.

United have reached an agreement with the Magpies to appoint Ashworth and he'll begin his new role with immediate effect. Newcastle were initially demanding £20m in compensation for the former FA technical director, but a compromise has now been reached.

Ashworth becomes the latest addition to the Sir Jim Ratcliffe's new-look boardroom at United and will report to chief executive Omar Berrada when he starts work at the club on July 13 following his own period of gardening leave after his departure from bitter rivals Manchester City.

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With the summer transfer window open, the British billionaire will be hoping his new sporting director can take United back to the 'the very top of English, European and world football'. When Ashworth picked up the reins in Tyneside, he outlined his first steps - having arrived with the club in a very similar situation.

Speaking to NUFCTV, he said: "The most important thing for me is to understand who’s in place, the culture, where everybody fits, what’s going really well, what’s going on where maybe we have a few gaps and try and bring that together.

"We’re about to start a transfer window, so there will be a lot of things on the to-do list with players in and out – things Eddie will want to do for the first-team squad. Within