Manchester United sporting director latest as favourite to replace Dan Ashworth emerges

Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman is the front-runner to become Dan Ashworth's successor at Manchester United, according to the bookmakers.

The Red Devils confirmed the departure of the 53-year-old in a brief statement on Sunday morning. The announcement revealed the decision was a mutual agreement between both parties.

Ashworth had only been in post for a matter of months as he formally began the role on July 1. He was previously at Newcastle United and spent a period of time on gardening leave before his move to Old Trafford was finalised.

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The decision was taken after United's latest Premier League defeat against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. They were beaten 3-2 at home and Ruben Amorim's side now sit 13th in the standings, eight points off the top four with 15 games played.

Ashworth was instrumental in United's summer transfer business, which included the signings of Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui. During his time at the club, they also gave Erik ten Hag a new contract, only to sack the Dutchman a few months later and replace him with Amorim.

According to the latest odds from BonusCodeBets, Freedman is the front-runner, closely followed by Atletico Madrid's Andrea Berta and Juventus' Cristiano Giuntoli. Outside shouts include shock returns to the club for Ralf Rangnick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Paul Mitchell, who was Ashworth's replacement at Newcastle, and a step across enemy lines for former Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward.

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