Dan Ashworth in embarrassing hiccup as secret Manchester United emails made public – Report

A very nice exclusive (see below) on Dan Ashworth and his intended move to Manchester United.

The report comes from The Mail on Tuesday night.

Just over 13 weeks ago, on 19th February 2024, Newcastle United officially announced (and below) that Dan Ashworth had been placed on gardening leave after stating that he was insisting on working at Manchester United.

Now, this exclusive from The Mail has seen them report the existence of a series of emails that Dan Ashworth botched in early February 2024 before informing Newcastle United that he wanted to leave.

The report said Ashworth also sent a copy of this series of emails to his own official Newcastle United email account, which meant the club discovered what he was up to in terms of wanting to join Manchester United as well as the possible breach of confidentiality in relation to both Brighton and Newcastle United with other comments in the email exchange.

Mail Report – 21 May 2024:

“Dan Ashworth sent an email to a Newcastle United address, inadvertently revealing that it had been intercepted by Manchester United’s new chief executive, Omar Berrada, who was still on gardening leave from Manchester City.

It is an embarrassing blunder and an error of judgment on the part of the two men who will be charged with restructuring Man United by new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and could be watched by the Premier League.

We can reveal the pair had a conversation at the start of February and Ashworth followed it up by emailing Berrada – to an INEOS account – making it clear he wanted to accept the opportunity to become Man United’s sporting director.

However, Ashworth sent a blind copy to his own Newcastle email address, awkwardly revealing the secret negotiations with Berrada to the club. Man United, at this time, have not informed Newcastle of their interest in Ashworth.

Berrada does not officially start at Old Trafford until July 13 and had been on gardening leave from Man City for less than a month when he signed with Ashworth, potentially breaching the terms of his contract.

We understand Ashworth also revealed to Berrada details of the deal between Newcastle and Brighton that took him to St James’ Park in the summer of 2022. This would likely be a breach of confidentiality for each of Newcastle and Brighton.

The 53-year-old finally informed Newcastle of his desire to join Man United on February 18 and was placed on gardening leave, which Ratcliffe suggested would expire towards the end of 2025.

Man United have so far not made an acceptable offer to Newcastle ahead of that date and it appears Ashworth will take the club to arbitration in a bid to force his move.

Newcastle United Official Announcement – ​​19 February 2024:

Newcastle United can announce that Dan Ashworth has begun a period of gardening leave.

Newcastle United CEO Darren Eales said: “We are naturally disappointed that Dan has chosen to leave, but our exciting journey is ongoing and the recruitment process for a new sporting director will begin immediately.