Manchester United have agreed terms with Newcastle to appoint Dan Ashworth as their new sporting director

Manchester United have reached an agreement with Newcastle United to appoint Dan Ashworth as sporting director.

Ashworth’s move to Old Trafford has been delayed by the clubs struggling to compromise on a compensation package.

But more than four months after he was placed on gardening leave and it appeared an independent hearing would be needed to break the impasse, Ashworth’s change has now been sanctioned.

The 53-year-old is expected to start his position in Manchester United’s new set-up with immediate effect.

Ashworth was planning to take Newcastle to arbitration to facilitate his move, as reported The AthleticManchester United upholding their bid and agreeing to pay their legal costs.

He is to have overall responsibility for football performance, recruitment and operations at the 20-time English champions, with technical director Jason Wilcox reporting to him.

Ashworth will himself report to Sir Dave Brailsford, whom Ratcliffe has tasked with undertaking a review of United’s football operations.

Former director of football John Murtough stepped down in April after a decade in the job, paving the way for Ashworth’s appointment.

He will become the latest high-profile appointment under Ratcliffe. Omar Berrada is set to arrive as chief executive from Manchester City later this month, while Wilcox’s arrival as technical director was confirmed in April.

Ashworth joined Newcastle United after resigning as technical director at Brighton & Hove Albion in February 2022.

He moved to Brighton in 2019 after a spell as technical director at the Football Association – where he started in 2012 after a spell with West Bromwich Albion – and helped develop the men’s and women’s national teams.

He was credited with playing an influential role in England’s World Cup victories at under-17 and under-20 level in 2017.

Ashworth has built a strong reputation in areas such as player recruitment and building high performance structures.

(Photo: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)