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      Sir Jim Ratcliffe slammed over ‘laughable’ start to Man Utd reign as Gary Lineker reveals ‘the worst thing of all’

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      SIR JIM RATCLIFFE has been slammed over his “laughable” start at Manchester United. The British billionaire completed a 25 per cent takeover at Old Trafford in December and assumed control of football operations.Sir Jim Ratcliffehas been slammed over his ‘laughable’ start at Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyDan Ashworth left his role as sporting directorCredit: PAErik ten Hag was sacked as Utd bossCredit: GettyBut things have gone from bad to worse with sporting director Dan Ashworth’s exit the latest to cause controversy in the red half of Manchester. It followed less than two months after Erik ten Hag was sacked with Premier League legend Alan Shearer full of criticism. He said on The Rest is Football podcast: “It’s not a good look at all for them is it?”It’s pretty bloody embarrassing what’s gone on with Dan Ashworth leaving and the decisions that since they’ve been in there in terms of the money that they’ve spent.READ MORE ON MAN UTD”The decisions that they’ve made with Ten Hag extending his contract, sacking him, paying him off, giving him the players that they have in the summer, then getting rid of him.”Then putting Dan Ashworth on gardening leave, getting him out of Newcastle, paying compensation for him, then getting rid of him after five months.”It is laughable really, it’s such a terrible look. So yeah, I dunno, it’s not a good look.”Ratcliffe sanctioned five big signings since his arrival last year. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSInside Man Utd chaos with Dan Ashworth axed just five months into jobBy Neil Custis The blame game has another victim as things go from bad to worse at Old Trafford.Manchester United’s first sporting director, Dan Ashworth, arrived in the summer and is gone before Christmas.SunSport exclusively revealed in November that there was trouble at mill.That the new senior management team were already blaming each other for the mess the club were in.Chief executive Omar Berrada and Ashworth were trying to wash their hands of it all, claiming they had arrived too late after serving their gardening leave.New part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said making decisions was all down to them.Meanwhile, Jason Wilcox thought it was all a mess under previous boss Erik ten Hag but was part of the team that encouraged him to stay after every other candidate ran for cover.Defeat Nottingham Forest in December, after their second-half capitulation at Arsenal a few days previously, proved too much.READ MORE ON MAN UTD’S CHAOS Man Utd signings under Sir Jim Ratcliffe Leny Yoro: £52mManuel Ugarte: £42mMatthijs de Ligt: £45m Noussair Mazraoui: £15m Joshua Zirkzee: £36.5m.Leny Yoro cost £52million, Manuel Ugarte was signed for £42m, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui both joined from Bayern Munich for £60m and Joshua Zirkzee was £36.5m. And Gary Lineker believes the wasteful spending is among United’s biggest sins under Ratcliffe – who hired Ruben Amorim as Ten Hag’s successor.Sir Alex Ferguson saved my Man Utd career with 10-word comment after I started going out every night, says Rio Ferdinand He said: “Ultimately, the worst thing of all is the recruitment and the amount of money that they’ve paid out for players that have not realised what they obviously thought was good potential.”So it just shows you down to football, whoever comes in you’ve got to get that side of it right. “Whatever your budget and it’s not easy because you can never be sure how a player’s going to perform at a football club till he gets there.”But Micah Richards argued: “The only thing I would say on that one, in their defence the players that they’ve bought at the time were playing really well.”Where I think they’ve got it wrong is they’ve not bought players for a system, they’ve just bought individuals who have not performed which has just made them look ridiculous.”If you look at someone like Antony, when he was at Ajax he was on fire but where was he playing? READ MORE SUN STORIES”And the new manager now, he likes to play three at the back, four in midfield and three up front, what is his strategy going forward now?”That is what we have to see because you’re right Gary, there’s been a lot of big decisions that have just been awful.”Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker and Micah Richards criticised Man UtdCredit: The Rest Is Football More

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      ‘Time to see if he was serious’ – Fans call for Jose Mourinho to stick to his word with Millwall hunting for new manager

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      MILLWALL fans are calling on Jose Mourinho to keep his word after he jokingly suggested he would be keen to take over at the Den.The Lions are looking for a new manager after Neil Harris quit for the second time, after doing the same thing back in 2019.Jose Mourinho recently named Millwall as a surprise club he’d consider managingCredit: GettyMillwall fans haven’t forgotten Mourinho’s statement and are calling for him to keep his wordCredit: GettyHarris will roll credits on his second stint, which lasted 10 months, after Saturday’s clash at Middlesbrough, which means he will also be in charge of Millwall on Wednesday against Sheffield United.Mourinho suggested in October that he would love a return to English football after stints with Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham.And the Special One named Millwall as a surprise club he would consider as they are are close to his London home.The Fenerbahce boss said when asked if he’d manage teams fighting relegation: “Millwall. Millwall. I just cross the bridge from my house! Millwall.”Read More on FootballMillwall fans haven’t forgotten the ex-Real Madrid manager’s statement and took to social media urging him to take up this opportunity and follow through with what he said.One fan tweeted: “Jose we await your arrival.”Another commented: “Guess it’s time to see if Mourinho was serious after all.”A third wrote: “Mourinho called it on. He’ll have to step up now or look silly.”Most read in FootballThis fan said: “Jose Mourinho, a man can dream.”And that one stated: “Jose Mourinho is taking over from Neil Harris at Millwall… You heard it here first.”Jose Mourinho wildly drags his own Fenerbahce assistant by his hood and shoves him away during bizarre goal celebrationHowever, Mourinho admitted that his statement was just in good humour as he confirmed he is not interested in taking over clubs that are fighting relegation.Millwall are currently 11th in the Championship table and quite safe from the drop, but did risk relegation last season.Mourinho added: “I’m never going to a team fighting relegation. It’s too hard.“It’s more difficult than playing for titles. It has to be very hard emotionally because it’s something that changes lives.“I think it’s brave guys that do it. I had three clubs in England, four different periods and I love it.“My family lives in London. London is home so one day I have to be back unless no one wants me.“But don’t get me wrong, for the next two years no one will take me from Fenerbahce.” More

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      ‘It’s almost like he’s been playing with a handbrake on’ – Jermain Defoe slams Man Utd for tactical disaster

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      JADON SANCHO has been “playing with a handbrake on”, according to Jermain Defoe.Sancho, 24, proved to be nothing more than an expensive disappointment during his time at Manchester United after signing from Borussia Dortmund.Jadon Sancho has refound his best form at Chelsea after a poor spell at Man UtdCredit: AlamyJermain Defoe believed the winger was ‘playing with a handbrake on’Credit: AlamyHowever, the winger has turned a new leaf and seems to have recaptured some of the form he showed in Germany while on loan at Chelsea this season.The loan transfer taking Sancho from Old Trafford to Stamford Bridge is understood to contain a clause that will see the Blues pay £25million as long as they finish 14th or higher in the Premier League.With Enzo Maresca’s side up to second place after a 4-3 win over Tottenham on Sunday, that clause looks all-but certain to be triggered.Sancho himself played a big part in the comeback win, scoring Chelsea’s first to get them back into the game after the home side went 2-0 up early on with a stunning goal after cutting inside from the left wing.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDefoe was astonished by the sequence given he never showed such quality while playing for Man Utd, with the club ultimately deciding to cut their losses after his fallout with Erik ten Hag last year.Speaking on Sky Sports Monday Night Football, he said: “I thought he looked really sharp yesterday.”It’s almost like he’s been playing with a handbrake [on], you’d see him too many times he’d receive it and it would go back and you’re sort of like, ‘Just go at people!’. “But this is Jadon Sancho, 100 per cent. It’s not an easy finish, to be honest, but from that angle, it’s a really easy finish.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSancho has scored twice in the league for the London side, also adding three assists across nine appearances. He has added two more assists in the Conference League, with Maresca praising him following the Spurs game.How Chelsea embarrassed Spurs with Enzo Fernandez leading genius in-game tactical shake-upThe Chelsea boss said: “Since we started, the reason why Jadon came here is because we think Jadon is going to help us.”Unfortunately he had small problems so he was out for a while.”Now he is back and the only thing he has to do is continue in the same way. He cannot drop, otherwise he is not going to play. His performance and Pedro Neto, on and off the ball was very good.”Off the ball, they were running, following [Destiny] Udogie and defensively they were very good. This is what we need.”Speaking to Super Sport TV, Sancho said: “From day one, they made me feel welcome at Chelsea.”I know that I have a lot of people to prove wrong. I’ve been working very hard. “Let me say thank you to the staff and the team for believing in me and giving me the opportunity.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Blues next game on Thursday sees them enduring a long trip to Kazakhstan to face Astana in the Europa Conference League at 3:30pm GMT.The repercussions of the 7,000-mile round trip have seen the Blues Sunday clash with Brentford move to an unprecedented 7pm kick-off time.Chelsea ratings vs TottenhamCHELSEA came from two goals behind to beat Spurs 4-3 in a chaotic game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium,Here’s how the Blues players rated…Robert Sanchez – 4The home fans were on to him for the entirety of the first half after he lumped the ball out of play early on.Not an awful lot he could’ve done about the goals, and he did recover well in the second half.Moises Caicedo – 6Chelsea’s best defender on the day, he put in some strong challenges inverting into midfield and put in a solid performance once again.Fortunate to escape a card for a late challenge on Pape Matar Sarr, before a brilliant second half.Benoit Badiashile – 4Looked uncomfortable playing as a left-footed centre-back on the right-hand side.Often didn’t help Robert Sanchez by playing him into trouble, and looked awkward when trying to progress from the back.Levi Colwill – 6Allowed Solanke to get in front of him and finish brilliantly at the near post for the opening goal.Didn’t have an awful lot to do in the second half, which was perhaps a good sign, as the whole defence was improved.Marc Cucurella – 4Slipped at the vital moment to practically set Spurs through and open the scoring within five minutes, before slipping AGAIN which saw Kulusevski double the lead.Recovered really well after swapping his ice skates for football boots, nabbing the assist for Sancho’s goal and giving a solid showing for the whole second half.That said, he has to be marked down for the two goals.Romeo Lavia – 8Energetic, strong and smooth on the turn in midfield, with some brilliant line-breaking passes too.Much the same as Caicedo, he is becoming a dependable, impressive body in the Chelsea midfield.Came off at half-time for Malo Gusto, which must have been a tactical switch.Enzo Fernandez (c) – 9Didn’t misplace a single one of his 28 passes in the first half, the same as Lavia – before adding a stunning, game-winning, left-footed volley to his myriad of impressive actions.His best game in a Chelsea shirt came in one of their biggest matches of the season, as he continues his remarkable run of goal contributions.Pedro Neto – 7A threat on the right wing in the first half for Chelsea, he pressed well and came close to scoring Palmer’s deflected effort.A constant danger, he was creative but slightly lacked in end product if you’re being critical.Cole Palmer – 9Mis-kicked a chance in the first twenty minutes you would usually bet your house on him scoring, before coming close again with a shot from range moments later.Calmly dispatched his equalising penalty into the bottom corner, before setting up Enzo Fernandez to put his side in the lead.Added the cherry on the Chelsea cake with an ice-cold panenka from the penalty spot.Jadon Sancho – 8Excellent finish to pull one back for the Blues and spark hope among supporters.Generally sharp in build-up, and tricky feet as always, with a great slide-rule pass to see Caicedo win the penalty for Chelsea’s equaliser.Nicolas Jackson – 6Looked a threat going forward for Chelsea in spells, but failed to get himself on the scoresheet on this occasion.Seemed troubled as he departed the pitch for the oncoming Christopher Nkunku.SUBS…Malo Gusto (Romeo Lavia, HT) – 5Was more direct and definitely an improvement on Malacia, albeit on the opposite flank.However, still wasn’t able to be the difference which Ruben Amorim would’ve been looking for in this one.Christopher Nkunku (Nicolas Jackson, 76)Got in some good positions and pressed well, remaining an outlet for the Chelsea attack when they countered.Ultimately not enough time to have the impact he would’ve liked.Noni Madueke (Pedro Neto, 86)Not enough time to impact the game in any way.Renato Veiga (Marc Cucurella, 90)Not enough time to give a solid review, hardly touched the ball.Joao Felix (Cole Palmer, 90)Came on with seven minutes to go, in which Chelsea were defending for the most part. 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      Man Utd ‘would listen to offers for Marcus Rashford in January’ as Ruben Amorim desperately scrambles to free up funds

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly willing to listen to offers for Marcus Rashford in January.The Red Devils star could be offloaded in order to raise funds for new manager Ruben Amorim.Marcus Rashford could be sold by Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyThe forward has scored three goals under Ruben AmorimCredit: RexRashford, 27, has previously been seen as unsellable at Old Trafford, having risen through the ranks at the club.The forward has struggled for form over the last 12 months and has only managed four goals in 15 Premier League appearances this season.He has netted three times in Amorim’s four league matches since taking over from Erik ten Hag.However, it appears that his improved form has not done enough to solidify his spot at the club.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSky Germany have reported that Man United “would sell” Rashford by the summer at the latest.It is also claimed that the club are “open to top offers” during the upcoming January transfer window.The report has claimed that the club have acknowledged his improvement with Amorim at the helm but are not against cashing in.The main reason behind the potential departure of the academy graduate is his “very high salary,” which would free up FFP space.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe Telegraph also report United have concerns over his lifestyle off the pitch.Last season Rashford was fined £650,000 — two weeks’ wages — and dropped from the FA Cup tie at Newport County after he rang in sick for training after partying in Belfast.The out-of-favour England international is earning an astonishing £325,000 per week.His current contract expires in 2028, having signed an extension in July 2023.How Ruben Amorim will resurrect Marcus Rashford’s Man United career with subtle position changeShould Rashford leave then Man United would be able to have more “room to manoeuvre” in the transfer market.Amorim has previously hinted about trying to find a “solution” for Rashford.He said: “We’ll try to find the right solution for him, but he has to be Marcus.”First of all, we have to try to return to that moment.”Since Amorim’s arrival at the club, there have already been some exciting names linked to transfers.It is believed that Amorim is keen on bringing three stars from Sporting Lisbon to join him at Old Trafford.This includes impressive striker Viktor Gyokeres, who has scored 25 goals in 22 appearances in all competitions this season.READ MORE SUN STORIESDefensive midfielder Morten Hjulmand and centre-back Goncalo Inacio would also add some much-needed steel to the team.Meanwhile, club legend Rio Ferdinand claimed that the hierarchy needs to “get players out” quickly.Three Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man UtdRUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:VIKTOR GYOKERESAge: 26Position: StrikerCost: £84millionSwede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.GONCALO INACIOAge: 23Position: DefenderCost: £50millionBall-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.MORTEN HJULMANDAge: 25Position: MidfieldCost: £40millionDane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.He could be the man to replace Casemiro. More

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      Rio Ferdinand tells Man Utd chiefs to be ‘brutal’ with the ‘s*** players’ and ‘get them the f*** out quick’

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      RIO FERDINAND has demanded that Manchester United get the “s***” players the “f*** out” of the squad.The former Red Devils defender has insisted that the club needs to be brutal with the playing staff.Rio Ferdinand wants Manchester United to axe the ‘s***’ playersCredit: xDan Ashworth was asked by the club after just five monthsCredit: AFPFerdinand has claimed the club needs a similar attitude with the playing staffCredit: GettyFerdinand, 46, is hopeful that the ownership takes the same attitude with the underperforming stars as they have with directors.His X-rated rant has come following the decision to axe sporting director Dan Ashworth after just five months.He said: “Confusion is the first thing that comes to mind.”I just hope that they’re this brutal as they have been with the staff that have been there for years and that they’re culling.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”I hope they’re this brutal with the s*** players that are there.”If there are any s*** players that are there, and ones that have either been there too long or the ones that just aren’t good enough, be as brutal as they’ve been.”Get them the f*** out quick.”I hope they’re like that. For better or worse, at least they’ve made a bloody decision.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”That’s the way I think about it. But you look at the things that are going on.”I think there’s a lot of noise around the club.Dan Ashworth leaves Man Utd after just five months with Sir Jim Ratcliffe ordering shock boardroom shake-upInside Man Utd chaos amid Ashworth departureTHE blame game has another victim as things go from bad to worse at Old Trafford.Manchester United’s first sporting director, Dan Ashworth, arrived in the summer and is gone before Christmas.SunSport exclusively revealed last month that there was trouble at mill.That the new senior management team were already blaming each other for the mess the club were in.Chief executive Omar Berrada and Ashworth were trying to wash their hands of it all, claiming they had arrived too late after serving their gardening leave.New part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said making decisions was all down to them. Meanwhile, Jason Wilcox thought it was all a mess under previous boss Erik ten Hag but was part of the team that encouraged him to stay after every other candidate ran for cover.There is word Ashworth did not favour appointing his successor and new head coach Ruben Amorim, preferring an English manager with more experience in our game. Perhaps that was why ex-England gaffer Gareth Southgate’s name was always mentioned after they worked together at the FA.Either way, Saturday’s showing against Nottingham Forest, after their second-half capitulation at Arsenal a few days previously, proved too much.”Ticket price are now going up, there’s been laying off of 250 plus staff and again, they’re very definitive.”They’re like, ‘We’re doing this. We don’t care about the noise’.”Ashworth left the club after showdown talks with the club locked in a blame game for the poor start to the season.Manchester United announced the sacking with a blunt 53-word statement and insisted it was a “mutual decision”.Gary Neville slammed the statement as “not a good look” in his own brutal rant.The Red Devils’ shocking start to the Premier League campaign saw the end to Erik ten Hag’s reign as manager.The Dutchman was axed after the defeat to West Ham in October and then replaced by Ruben Amorim.Since the Portuguese coach was hired results have continued to be inconsistent.READ MORE SUN STORIESHis first game ended in a 1-1 draw against Ipswich before victories against Bodo/Glimt and Everton.However, the club is now winless in their previous three games with the latest ending in a 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.Ten Hag’s Man Utd signingsThe Dutchman has brought in 21 players since moving to Old Trafford in 20222022-23:Antony, (Ajax) £86mCasemiro, (Real Madrid) £70mLisandro Martinez, (Ajax) £46mTyrell Malacia, (Feyenoord) £13mChristian Eriksen, (Brentford) freeMartin Dubravka, (Newcastle) loanWout Weghorst, (Burnley) loanJack Butland, (Crystal Palace) loanMarcel Sabitzer, (Bayern Munich) loan2023-24:Rasmus Hojlund, (Atalanta) £72mMason Mount, (Chelsea) £60mAndre Onana, (Inter Milan) £47mSofyan Amrabat, (Fiorentina) loanAltay Bayindir, (Fenerbahce) £4.3mJonny Evans, (Leicester) freeSergio Reguilon, (Tottenham) loan2024-25:Leny Yoro, (Lille) £52mManuel Ugarte, (Paris Saint-Germain) £50mMatthijs de Ligt, (Bayern Munich) £45mJoshua Zirkee, (Bologna) £36.5mNoussair Mazraoui, (Bayern Munich) £12.8m More

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      Inside Man Utd chaos with Dan Ashworth axed just five months into job as Amorim’s ‘storm coming’ words come true

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      THE blame game has another victim as things go from bad to worse at Old Trafford.Manchester United’s first sporting director, Dan Ashworth, arrived in the summer and is gone before Christmas.Dan Ashworth has left his role at Man UtdCredit: ZenpixAshworth lasted just five months under Sir Jim RatcliffeCredit: PAThere is word Ashworth did not favour appointing new head coach Ruben AmorimCredit: AlamySunSport exclusively revealed last month that there was trouble at mill.That the new senior management team were already blaming each other for the mess the club were in.Chief executive Omar Berrada and Ashworth were trying to wash their hands of it all, claiming they had arrived too late after serving their gardening leave.New part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said making decisions was all down to them.READ MORE IN footballMeanwhile, Jason Wilcox thought it was all a mess under previous boss Erik ten Hag but was part of the team that encouraged him to stay after every other candidate ran for cover.There is word Ashworth did not favour appointing his successor and new head coach Ruben Amorim, preferring an English manager with more experience in our game.Perhaps that was why ex-England gaffer Gareth Southgate’s name was always mentioned after they worked together at the FA.Either way, Saturday’s showing against Nottingham Forest, after their second-half capitulation at Arsenal a few days previously, proved too much.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSWas it the sight of the ineffective Joshua Zirkzee coming on as a sub that finally did it?You see, the 23-year-old Dutchman was thought to be a good buy at £36.5million. Ten Hag did not agree but had the player forced upon him.Man Utd pay emotional tribute to much-loved receptionist Kath Phipps after tragic passing aged 85That is on Ashworth.Already the club are looking to offload the flop forward.The word from Old Trafford was that Ratcliffe had issued a ‘liberating decree’ when he arrived on his white charger after acquiring 27.7 per cent of the club last February.Instead, it all just gets worse. They are locked in a mess of their own making, and nobody seems to have the key to get them out.Ashworth was supposed to have it, but he spent as much time on gardening leave from Newcastle as he did overseeing much-needed change at Old Trafford.He walked through the post-match media area with a security guard and the club’s chief operating officer, Collette Roche, around 30 minutes after the full-time whistle following the 3-2 loss on Saturday.It was odd as he marched with his head down without exchanging pleasantries.As we go through that process, we are constantly learning about what the best structure will be to help us to win.Manchester United statement He was on his way to the boardroom in the East Stand to finally agree to part ways.He was apparently “not a good fit”.Although he seems to have been everywhere else he worked.But a disagreement with the others brought in to put the former foot-balling juggernaut back on the right path had done for him.The explanation from the club was that the decision had been made “collaboratively following a period of transition for the club”.Yet it was Ashworth who was supposed to be central to that transition.It was also said to be a “difficult decision”. The club stressed that they have been building “a new team and structure here at pace”.’This is down to Ratcliffe’They added: “As we go through that process, we are constantly learning about what the best structure will be to help us to win.”So, the much-sought-after Ashworth, whom the club fought so hard to have released from Toon and paid £3m in compensation for, is now felt not good enough to be part of that ‘structure’.This is down to Ratcliffe, who is already vying with the Glazers as the most unpopular man at the club.If a mutual agreement was done collaboratively, it makes you wonder why Ashworth was at Old Trafford on Saturday. Or had tea cups flown in the directors’ room afterwards?The sheer enormity of the job on everyone’s hands at Old Trafford appears to be proving too much.Not a single boss, chief executive, technical director or whatever has gotten to grips with it.Everyone has an idea of what to do but from the outside it looks like nobody has a clue. And in the meantime a whopping £1.6BILLION has been spent on players post Sir Alex Ferguson.Wilcox is now in charge of recruitment but there is nothing left to recruit anyone with.Spending rules, cost-cutting, payments to departing staff, and a massive wage bill for under-performing stars have all stymied the club.There will be no big signings in January, nor next summer.The club is stuck with this lot and they are simply not good enough.READ MORE SUN STORIESAshworth knows it, everybody knows it. Amorim said there was ‘a storm coming’.It has well and truly hit. More

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      Axed Man Utd director Dan Ashworth ‘frogmarched out of Old Trafford’ by alternative exit hours before contract ripped up

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      DAN ASHWORTH was reportedly “frogmarched” out of a hidden Old Trafford exit after agreeing to leave Manchester United.The sporting director’s time at the club has come to an end after just five months.Dan Ashworth was escorted out of Old Trafford after his exit was sealedCredit: PAUnited pushed hard to add him to their boardroom in the summer, paying Newcastle £3million in compensation.But following crunch talks with CEO Omar Berrada after the 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest last night, Ashworth quit by “mutual consent”, according to a United statement.Manchester Evening News claim he was seen looking “grim-faced” as he trudged across the press room yesterday. He was “escorted” out an “alternative exit” by a member of security and United’s chief operating officer Collette Roche.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAshworth was did not leave through the usual directors’ entrance or Stretford End tunnel.Journalist Samuel Luckhurst wrote on social media: “In retrospect, perhaps he was frogmarched out.”Ashworth and other senior club figures are responsible for handing Erik ten Hag a new contract, only to sack him 14 games later.And they were in charge of the summer transfer business that saw them spend £200m on Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs De Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe 53-year-old chief claimed he “liked” the squad earlier this season.But SunSport exclusively revealed last month that the summer spending spree and Ten Hag’s failure caused a blame game to begin in the boardroom.Crystal Palace chief Dougie Freedman is favourite to replace Ashworth, having been linked with the job before.Man Utd’s Player Ratings Against Nottingham Forest More

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      Next Man Utd sporting director odds revealed with TWO ex-bosses and Prem icon among frontrunners to replace Dan Ashworth

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      THE odds on who will replace Dan Ashworth at Manchester United have been revealed – and two familiar faces are in the market.Ashworth, 53, has quit as sporting director just five months after arriving at Old Trafford.Dan Ashworth has left Man Utd following showdown talksCredit: ReutersDougie Freedman is the bookies’ favourite to replace himCredit: ReutersHe held crunch talks with CEO Omar Berrada after the 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest last night and left by mutual consent, a United statement said.Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly been pivotal in Ashworth’s exit and is now on the lookout for a new chief.The bookies have Crystal Palace director of football Dougie Freedman (2/1) as the frontrunner.Freedman, who came close to getting the job instead of Ashworth, has been credited for several successful Palace signings such as Marc Guehi and Michael Olise.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBonusCodeBets have Atletico Madrid’s Andrea Berta (4/1) and Juventus’ Cristiano Giuntoli (6/1) next on their list.United could get Lee Congerton (16/1) out of the former Leicester and Atalanta supremo’s contract at Al-Ahli.While AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini is priced the same following his four years as the Italian giants’ technical director.If Ratcliffe wants to poach another Newcastle chief like he did with Ashworth, his successor Paul Mitchell (20/1) could be an option.Most read in FootballHe was linked to the Man Utd job before Ineos’ takeover was completed last Christmas.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSOdds on Ashworth’s replacement Dougie Freedman – 2/1Andrea Berta – 4/1Cristiano Giuntoli – 6/1 Lee Congerton – 12/1Paolo Maldini – 16/1Paul Mitchell – 20/1Julian Ward – 25/1Ralf Rangnick – 33/1Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – 50/1via BonusCodeBets.Ex-Liverpool chief Julian Ward (25/1) is another alternative, but he is currently working for Reds owner FSG.Perhaps United will perform a shock U-turn and bring Ralf Rangnick (33/1) back after he never got to fill his planned role consultancy role due to him stepping in as interim boss.Man Utd’s Player Ratings Against Nottingham Forest The German claimed he needed to perform “open-heart surgery” to fix things at the club.But he is unlikely to put his scrubs on as he is currently Austria’s manager.But another ex-United boss who is out of work is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (50/1).His return is highly unlikely given he has never been a sporting director before.Ralf Rangnick is an outsider to seal a shock return to Old TraffordCredit: GettyOle Gunnar Solskjaer is unlikely to get the jobCredit: AFP More