Man United rivals have told Ineos why Dan Ashworth wasn't given chance to unleash 'biggest strength'

Dan Ashworth's departure from Manchester United has taken the whole football world by surprise.

The United sporting director agreed a mutual departure with the club on Saturday night in the aftermath of their disappointing defeat to Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.

Ashworth was escorted out of the stadium via the press room just 20 minutes after the full-time whistle and United confirmed his exit in a brief 41-word statement.

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United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was said to be behind the decision to move in a direction and there was an acceptance from both sides that Ashworth didn't fit the Ineos regime, led by Sir Dave Brailsford and CEO Omar Berrada.

After just five months, and a long protracted pursuit to prise him away from Newcastle United that ultimately cost United millions, and just one transfer window at the helm that saw United spend around £200m, Ashworth has been paid off, just over a month after Erik ten Hag was sacked, and the club must now decide how to replace him.

It will be interesting to see what's next for Ashworth, too, given he left a secure job as Newcastle's sporting director at a club where he he received credit for their upward trajectory.

One person he worked closely with at St James' Park was the Magpies' manager Eddie Howe. Much has been made about their pair's relationship, but just this week Howe chose to publicly praise Ashworth.

“He is a really smart guy [who is] very well organised. Dan’s biggest strength is he looks at things from top to bottom," Howe explained on Simon Jordan's