Dan Ashworth was appointed Sporting Director of Manchester United last summer and had drawn up a list of four important players he wanted to sign for the then manager Erik ten Hag
The term of office of Dan Ashworth as sports director of Manchester United was one of a short duration and ended in a disaster within a few months. Ashworth was an excellent goal for Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who had to wait patiently for more than four months until he could officially start his role because of the fact that he was placed by his previous club, Newcastle United.
It was on July 1 last year that Ashworth became a formal member of the Red Devils and immediately started an ambitious recruitment campaign for the then manager Erik ten Hag, after the last victory of United's FA Cup on Manchester City.
According to the Daily Mail, Ashworth had set his sights on four specific players and they managed to secure three last summer – with the exception of Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite. An offer of £ 35 million for him was rejected by the Toffees a year ago, as a result of which she explores other alternatives, the Manchester Evening News reports.
One of those other players was well familiar with Ten Hag, who liked to reunite. United has deported £ 42 million to bring former Ajax Ace Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich.
In an attempt to offer Rasmus Hojlund some help on the other side of the field, Ashworth activated the £ 34 million buyout clause from Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna after the Dutchman helped the club to secure Champions League football for the first time in almost six decades.
United was enthusiastic to strengthen their defensive midfield-where Casemiro was able to replicate his Real Madrid form at that time United has a movement sanctioned for Manuel Ugarte, who was prepared to load Paris Saint-Germain after just one season.
An offer of £ 40 million was sufficient to secure the services of the former sporty CP star, so that he eventually reunities with Ruben Amorim after the appointment of the Portuguese boss as the successor to Ten Hag last November.
Ashworth, however, left in December, before he could see the outcome of his efforts. More than four months of the season had already passed at Ashworth's Exit and the versions of those three players left a lot to be desired.
Although De Ligt earned a formidable reputation in Europe since his teenage years, he initially had difficulty finding his foot in the defense of Manchester. While United went through a faint season under Amorim, the Dutchman gradually found his rhythm in the defense, causing the hope among United fans that he will remain a key figure in their backline for years to come.
The same optimism does not extend to Zirkzee, whose overwhelming presence United has led to continue their search for a striker to pack their goals – a role that the former Bayern Munich attacker would fulfill.
The 24-year-old has only succeeded in obtaining seven goals in 49 games in all competitions, with only three from Premier League matches.
His future at the club could be in the air if Amorim succeeds in attracting ex-sparkling striker Viktor Gyokeres, even though Arsenal shows a strong interest. Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa is also on the current united follow -up list.
As for Ugarte, the 24-year-old excels in tackling and recovering possession, typical properties of a defensive midfielder. However, he was confronted with criticism last season because of his lack of deposit, where supporters claim that his passing skills and athletics are seriously missing.
Amorim is confronted with a colossal task prior to the 2025/26 season, and it must still be seen what role these three players will have in the future of United.
And it seems unlikely that the full quartet of Ashworth will be completed soon. Branthwaite recently signed a new contract with Everton under ex-sector David Moyes.
The international of England, reportedly appreciated at around £ 70 million, closed a new five -year -old deal earlier this week.
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