Manchester United is preparing to make a significant acquisition of Newcastle United ahead of Dan Ashworth’s decision to reverse course.

Manchester United is preparing to make a significant acquisition of Newcastle United prior to Dan Ashworth’s decision to reverse course.

Eddie Howe had been identified as a prospective candidate to succeed Erik ten Hag as Manchester United’s manager.

According to reports, Dan Ashworth, the sporting director, had compiled a four-person shortlist of potential candidates for the position at Old Trafford.

However, the list did not include Ruben Amorim, the victorious candidate. After Ashworth’s departure from Manchester United was confirmed, it has been asserted that the club appeared to disregard the sporting director’s recommendation to hire Amorim from Sporting CP.

The Sun reported that Ashworth’s shortlist consisted of four managers with Premier League experience and two with whom he had previously collaborated.

Eddie Howe, the head coach of Newcastle, was included on the shortlist, as was Marco Silva of Fulham and Thomas Frank of Brentford. Graham Potter, the former manager of Brighton & Hove Albion, was also suggested as a prospective interim option.

In 2023, Ashworth was the sporting director at Newcastle when Howe signed a new long-term contract with the club. The release of Howe would necessitate a substantial compensation fee.

Manchester United compensated Newcastle for the discharge of Ashworth from his contract, but he only remained at Old Trafford for five months.

The club issued a statement stating that Dan Ashworth will be resigning from his position as sporting director of Manchester United by mutual consent.

We would like to express our gratitude to Dan for his assistance and dedication during the club’s transitional phase and extend our best wishes for his future endeavors.

Although the official statement indicates that the departure was “mutual,” it has been reported that Manchester United initiated the separation.

Ash worth already been associated with the vacant sporting director position at Arsenal in the days following his departure.