Manchester United told they should have hijacked Newcastle move for highly rated Dan Ashworth

Manchester United have been told they missed a trick by not hijacking Newcastle's move for departing Brighton technical director Dan Ashworth.

In a seismic yet controversial £305million deal, the Magpies have new owners after a consortium backed by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) struck up an agreement with Mike Ashley.

Effectively now the richest club on the planet, Newcastle made their mark in the January transfer window to sign Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes and other players.

Staving off relegation is the first target for those recruits and the current crop at St James' Park.

However, with one eye on future targets, the Premier League strugglers have made a further decision off-field by moving to appoint Ashworth as director of football.

He resigned from a similar position at Brighton and is set to rubber-stamp his move to the north east, although it could be delayed by prospective 'gardening leave' complications.

And in any case, might United have benefited from his credentials?

Speaking to radio station talkSPORT, pundit Andy Townsend said: "I think for Newcastle it's a very shrewd piece of business and Brighton will miss him. Football evolves; players, managers and staff come and go.

"I do think when you've got someone who is as well regarded and thought of as, clearly, Dan is, then the best clubs should be in for those sort of people. It's a key component.

"As for Man United, I watched the game the other day. Very good for half an hour.

"They missed the penalty and had other chances. They could have gone in two or three up at half-time."

Townsend added: "When they didn't get that second goal, you could sense a completely different vibe there and you could feel something might be happening.