Dimitar Berbatov casts Dan Ashworth verdict amid 'difficult' Manchester United claim

Dimitar Berbatov says Manchester United might not get better straight away under Dan Ashworth, even though they have made some smart moves off the pitch.

Manchester United have been doing a lot of work groundwork since Sir Jim Ratcliffe said he would put money into the club in December. They didn't buy any new players in January, but they did hire Omar Berrada as their new CEO after he worked with City Football Group. Dan Ashworth might join them soon, too.

Ashworth, who is in sporting director at Newcastle, is likely to agree to move to Old Trafford with the 52-year-old wanting the take up Ratcliffe's offer. Newcastle might try to get Michael Edwards to take his place. Ashworth, who used to work for Brighton and the FA, could start working for United before the summer transfer window.

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Erik ten Hag's team still has a chance to qualify for Champions League football next season, despite a poor campaign so far. But Berbatov, who left United in 2012, thinks it might take a while for the club to start punching with the big boys long-term once again.

"United nicked Man City's CEO and now they want to nick Newcastle's sporting director," Berbatov said to Betfair. "They're trying to strengthen their boardroom.

"Obviously when you know which type of people can help the club at a director level, you identify them and try to sign them. Of course, you hope they'll change the culture to get the right decision most of the time. Will that be the case with Dan Ashworth possibly coming in? We'll see.

"It's a difficult process. It won't happen overnight. But it shows that United know