Ineos target Dan Ashworth and stance on keeping John Murtough at Manchester United

Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth is the Ineos Group's prime choice to assume the role at Manchester United, with the petrochemicals group also open to retaining football director John Murtough.

Ineos, still to have their 25% stake in United ratified, regard Ashworth among the best-in-class for the role and are considering shifting Murtough to more of an administrative role.

It is understood Ineos's preference is for Ashworth to oversee the running of the football side but they have gathered positive feedback on Murtough following a process of due diligence.

Murtough wants to stay at United and remains a popular figure at the club, having assumed the inaugural football director role in March 2021. A source who has dealt with Murtough said his involvement in recruitment is not what he expected to inherit at United.

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United sources say Murtough's situation is completely separate from that of the departed chief executive Richard Arnold, who decided to leave before he could be pushed. Patrick Stewart now occupies the role on an interim basis and Frenchman Jean-Claude Blanc is expected to become Arnold's permanent replacement.

The Ineos sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford already has a line of dialogue 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 last year.

The Manchester Evening News revealed last month Brailsford has made visits to United's Carrington training complex and Ineos figures have held discussions with Murtough.

Ashworth joined Newcastle