Manchester United handed Dan Ashworth boost as Newcastle 'identify' replacement

Manchester United may have been handed a boost in their quest to hire Dan Ashworth.

It emerged last month that United expressed a desire to appoint Ashworth as the club's inaugural sporting director. The 53-year-old currently holds the same position at Newcastle United, having moved to St James' Park from Brighton in 2022.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos Group completed a 25 per cent takeover of the club earlier this year. The result has seen Ratcliffe and Co. take control of footballing operations at Old Trafford, with the appointment of Ashworth seen as one of the priorities.

Ashworth was placed on gardening leave by Newcastle following United's interest in appointing him as a sporting director. As a result, United will need to agree on a compensation package with Newcastle in order to bring Ashworth to Old Trafford.

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Reports have emerged, though, claiming that Newcastle have identified a potential replacement for Ashworth. According to The Times, Benfica chief Rui Pedro Braz is being considered by the St James' Park club as a potential successor for Ashworth when the time comes that he leaves for United.

The report claims that Braz has already made the trip to London to discuss taking on the role with Newcastle. Braz has worked as sports director at Benfica since 2021 and appears to be the preferred candidate for Newcastle to replace Ashworth.

Ratcliffe has been overseeing major changes to the United hierarchy following his and Ineos' takeover earlier this year. Sir Dave Brailsford is also part of the