Manchester United scraps Sporting Director role

Manchester United has dropped a bombshell, parting ways with Sporting Director Dan Ashworth just five months into his tenure.

The decision follows the club’s disastrous 3-2 home loss to Nottingham Forest, a defeat that deepens the Red Devils’ ongoing crisis under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s leadership.

Ashworth, recruited from Newcastle United to spearhead the club’s transition, now exits “by mutual agreement” after reportedly clashing with Ratcliffe over aggressive cost-cutting measures. His short-lived stint adds yet another chapter to United’s turbulent narrative this season, with the club languishing in 13th place.

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Sporting director shockingly exits role at Manchester United

In a bold move, Ratcliffe has decided to scrap the Sporting Director role altogether, marking a dramatic shift in the club’s operational strategy. Responsibilities once held by Ashworth will now be divided among Ratcliffe’s trusted INEOS executive Sir Dave Brailsford, chief executive Omar Berrada, and technical director Jason Wilcox.

The ripple effects of Ashworth’s sacking could signal more drastic changes, as reports suggest the club may intensify its restructuring efforts, which have already seen 250 staff members laid off.

For Ashworth, the door to another top role in football is likely to open soon, with whispers of a move to one of United’s Premier League rivals. Meanwhile, the pressure mounts on Ruben Amorim’s side as they prepare for a high-stakes clash against Manchester City after back-to-back league defeats.

With their season teetering on the brink, is this the ruthless reset Manchester United desperately needs—or just another misstep in their chaotic rebuild?