Dan Ashworth wants Manchester United sporting director role

Dan Ashworth wants to leave Newcastle to become Manchester United's inaugural sporting director.

It is understood the Ineos Group, which now oversees football operations at United, is so confident of prising Ashworth from Newcastle they have not sounded out alternatives for the post as he is their only target.

Newcastle sporting director Ashworth would have to serve a lengthy spell of gardening leave before assuming the role at United. Incoming chief executive Omar Berrada is already on gardening leave, having defected from Manchester City last month.

READ MORE: Dan Ashworth has already told Sir Jim Ratcliffe what he wants to hear

The Ineos sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford is familiar with Ashworth, who arranged for the former head of British cycling and Team Sky to give a motivational presentation to Newcastle players during their pre-season tour in Lisbon in 2022.

The Manchester Evening News reported in December that Brailsford had identified Ashworth as his preferred pick to head up the new football structure at the club.

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United football director John Murtough could be retained in a more administrative role but sources say it is "in the balance" as to whether Murtough, who joined United in December 2013, remains under the club's new power brokers.

Brailsford and Ineos chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe attended meetings at United's Carrington training complex and Old Trafford last week and a sporting director is expected to be the next significant appointment.

Existing United staff remain "in the dark" over planned structural and personnel changes at the club by Ineos.

Ratcliffe has