What Sir Alex Ferguson once told Manchester United about Newcastle United’s Dan Ashworth

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Newcastle United have someone who Manchester United want right now.

It is not a player, although plenty of Eddie Howe’s stars would get into the current Man United team. The Magpies have beaten them twice already this season, with the likes of Tino Livramento excelling in both fixtures.

Instead, Man United are looking to take a club official from St James’ Park.

Dan Ashworth is Newcastle United’s Sporting Director, with the Toon owners bringing him to Tyneside from Brighton in 2022.

The 52-year-old is widely respected for the job he did at Brighton and with the FA, which is why he was considered such a great hire by Newcastle.

His impact can already be felt throughout the club, but whether he is there much longer remains to be seen.

Manchester United are reportedly interested in bringing him to Old Trafford, while there was even a recent claim that there is fear that he actually could make the move.

However, if the Red Devils had done things differently, they could have got Ashworth before Newcastle did. And they certainly had the chance.

Sir Alex Ferguson told Manchester United to hire Dan Ashworth

According to the Athletic, former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson actually recommended hiring Ashworth due to his work at Brighton.

The Athletic add that Man United chief Richard Arnold did try to take Ferguson’s advice, and contacted Ashworth about heading to Old Trafford. However, the report states that proper negotiations never took place when it transpired that Ashworth would be working below John Murtough, who is their director of football.

So Man United had their chance and they blew it.

Now they are looking to rectify their mistake with a fresh move for Ashworth, as they continue to play catch up on and off the pitch.

Man United want to poach Newcastle chief

They may feel they have an advantage though. Ashworth has a close relationship with Sir Dave Brailsford, who is Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s right-hand man – and he is about to buy 25% of the club.

Whether or not that relationship will tempt Ashworth to leave St James’ Park remains to be seen, but it would be a huge blow if he were to depart.

Newcastle worked so hard to get him from Brighton, while this is only the second year of the project on Tyneside. Ashworth has barely got started, so it would be a real shock if he did walk away.

But the fact Ferguson previously told Man United to hire him is a testament to his ability, and highlights just how good an appointment he was by Amanda Staveley and co.