Dan Ashworth 'won't rest' until Manchester United are back on top

Manchester United's new leadership will not rest until the club are among the most successful in Europe again, sporting director Dan Ashworth has said.

United have been in the shadow of local rivals Manchester City for the last decade since the departure of Alex Ferguson as manager.

British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe hopes to change that after purchasing a minority stake in United which gives his Ineos group control over football operations at Old Trafford, and earlier this year set out his determination to knock City and Liverpool "off their perch".

Ashworth, who officially took up his new role at the start of this month, says it is not simply good enough that United remain a commercial powerhouse – they must achieve sustained sporting success too.

"This remains one of the biggest football clubs in the world, but that is not our measure of success," he said in a message to supporters published on the United website on Monday.

"The focus is on getting back to being among the best on the pitch. It won’t happen overnight, but, together with (new chief executive) Omar (Berrada) and his new leadership team, we will not rest until we have achieved it.

"We are all clear that last season fell below the required standards in the Premier League and Champions League but, by winning the FA Cup in such impressive fashion, our players and staff showed what they are capable of when everyone pulls together and performs to their potential.

"Our collective challenge is to reach those levels much more consistently."

United have already been busy in the summer transfer market, bringing in Dutch attacker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna and highly-rated French centre-back Leny Yoro from Lille.

There have been a number of outgoings too, including Mason