England controversy and £203m profit on transfers - Man United target Dan Ashworth's career so far

Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth is the number one target for the role at Manchester United following the takeover of the club by INEOS.

The Manchester Evening News understands that there is confidence in prising Ashworth away from St James’ Park. He would however have to serve a spell of gardening leave before taking up the role at United.

The 52-year-old has proven himself with success at various clubs and in different roles since finishing as a semi-professional player in 2000. During his time playing, he worked as a PE teacher before taking off-the-field roles in professional football.

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A potential appointment of Ashworth would be another step in Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s vision for the club and development. With that in mind here is a look at the sporting director’s career so far and what United can expect from the Newcastle man.

Most of Ashworth’s playing career was spent in non-league where he played for Eastbourne Town, St Leonards, and Wisbeach Town. He came up through the youth system at Norwich City.

His career off the pitch started as academy director of Peterborough United before moving on to be director of the youth department at Cambridge United after just under a year. In 2004 he became the academy manager of West Bromwich Albion, before being promoted to the club’s sporting director three-and-a-half years later.

Ashworth was in that role for five-and-a-half years before joining England as director of development. Since then he has worked with Brighton and Hove Albion before joining