Man Utd sporting director Dan Ashworth makes three exciting promises in honest open letter
Dan Ashworth has addressed Manchester United fans directly for the first time since becoming the club's new sporting director on July 1. And the highly-regarded executive has made three exciting promises to supporters, players and staff as INEOS continue to drive change at Old Trafford.
United confirmed the appointment of Ashworth at the start of the month after a prolonged stand-off with Newcastle over a compensation package.
The Red Devils reportedly managed to lure him away from St. James' Park for around £2.5million, completing Sir Jim Ratcliffe's new-look hierarchy.
Related articles Man Utd may have private agreement with Juventus as INEOS find transfer loophole Man Utd 'submit opening bid' for Matthijs de Ligt but INEOS face £13m problemAshworth has provided statements alongside both of the club's summer signings so far - Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro - emphasising his central role in both deals.
function loadOvpScript(){let el=document.createElement('script');el.setAttribute('src','https://live.primis.tech/live/liveView.php?s=114291&playerApiId=v114291');document.getElementById('ovp-primis').appendChild(el)} window.top.addEventListener('primisPlayerInit',e=>{try{if(e.detail&&e.detail.playerApiId==="v114291"){if(window.document.getElementsByClassName('jwplayer')[0]){e.detail.float('disable')}}}catch(e){}});window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',()=>{setTimeout(()=>{if(typeof flagTcfLoaded!=='undefined'&&flagTcfLoaded===!0){loadOvpScript() ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP flagTcfLoaded',new Date())}else{document.addEventListener("tcfLoaded",()=>{loadOvpScript() ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP tcfLoaded',new Date())})}},1500)})But he has addressed the fanbase directly for the first time with a column in United's 2024/25 yearbook, in which he emphasised his pride at becoming sporting director.
Ashworth noted his family ties to Manchester, recalled his first visit to Old Trafford in the late 1970s, and ensured he, along with new chief executive Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox, had wasted no time in getting to work.
The 53-year-old also admitted that last season's Premier League and Champions League campaigns were unacceptable but insisted that Erik ten Hag was viewed as the right man for the job.
He stressed that his primary ambition was to ensure United had the correct environment to produce more moments like May's FA Cup final victory against Manchester City more consistently.
Ashworth made three promises as part of his address, the first of which was regarding the redevelopment of Carrington that saw United's men's team move into the women's facilities.
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The decision sparked a backlash from supporters, especially those of the women's team. However, Ashworth has assured those concerned that all departments of the club will benefit from the project.
He wrote: "There are also changes to the physical environment at Carrington as work commences on our season-long £50 million redevelopment of the training ground – evidence of our commitment to improving the club's infrastructure.
"This will require some adaptation this season, but all our teams – men's, women's and Academy – will maintain access to high-quality facilities, with the promise of a fully refreshed, world-class site once the project is completed."
Ashworth also made it clear that overseeing a successful women's team and academy were just as important job requirements as his role in first-team operations.
"Delivering a successful women's team and a thriving, productive Academy are both key objectives of my job, and I have a strong background in both areas," he continued.
"Women's football was an important part of my remit in past roles with Newcastle United, Brighton and Hove Albion and the FA, and it will be the same at Manchester United.
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Man Utd sporting director Dan Ashworth makes three exciting promises in honest open letter
Man Utd sporting director Dan Ashworth makes three exciting promises in honest open letter
Man Utd sporting director Dan Ashworth makes three exciting promises in honest open letter
Man Utd sporting director Dan Ashworth makes three exciting promises in honest open letter
Man Utd sporting director Dan Ashworth makes three exciting promises in honest open letter
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