Premier League

DAN ASHWORTH has left Manchester United following showdown talks last night.The sporting director’s shock exit comes after just five months at Old Trafford. Dan Ashworth has left Man Utd after just five monthsCredit: PASir Jim Ratcliffe has played a huge role in the boardroom shake-upCredit: AlamyAshworth was involved in the club’s summer transfer business and the decision to keep – and then sack – Erik ten HagCredit: GettySunSport exclusively revealed three weeks ago how United’s new hierarchy were locked in a blame game over their summer business.Ashworth joined the club in July following a lengthy gardening leave period after he quit Newcastle.The 53-year-old was appointed by Man Utd to oversee “performance, recruitment and operations”, with the Red Devils agreeing to pay £3million in compensation to the Toon.But following showdown talks with CEO Omar Berrada after the 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest last night, Ashworth quit by mutual consent.READ MORE ON MAN UTDA club statement read: “Dan Ashworth will be leaving his role as Sporting Director of Manchester United by mutual agreement.”We would like to thank Dan for his work and support during a transitional period for the club and wish him well for the future.”The Athletic claims Sir Jim Ratcliffe was pivotal in the call to part ways.Ashworth played a huge role in United’s £183million summer spending spree during the first transfer window under Ineos leadership.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe club signed Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs De Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui. Ashworth was also involved in the decision to initially keep Erik ten Hag and hand him a new contract, only to for him to be sacked just 14 games later.Inside Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s plans to replace Old Trafford with a ‘Wembley of the North’The former FA chief, who was credited with creating the “England DNA”, was quoted in the statements confirming every signing.But we did not hear from him on Ten Hag’s axing or on the appointment of Ruben Amorim. Ashworth’s departure comes as a huge shock to many, with one fan saying: “Man Utd waited longer to get Ashworth out of Newcastle than he has lasted in the job. Mad.”Another added: “Utterly embarrassing and the amount of time and money to secure him. The direction of the club is meant to be based on the structure and at this moment that feels insecure. Shambles.”But others defended the decision, commenting: “If someone isn’t working, then get rid. No point keeping someone if its not working.”Ratcliffe previously hailed Ashworth as “clearly one of the top sporting directors in the world”.But he was apparently not a good “fit”, according to the Mail. But yesterday he suggested United are still miles behind where they need to be when it comes to transfers.United chiefs have been at war over their summer spending spreeCredit: GettyRatcliffe said: “We’ve not been good enough at recruitment, you probably agree with that. Everybody would agree with that.”And until we’re as good as anyone in the world, then it’s not good enough for Manchester United.”We must have the best recruitment in the world. Data analysis comes alongside recruitment. It doesn’t really exist here. We’re still in the last century on data analysis here.“There’s an immense amount of useful data that we can get from data analysis and we’re in the ‘very poor’ bracket with data analysis here.”These things don’t happen overnight. You can’t just flick a light switch and sort out recruitment. It’s all about people and we need to find the right people.”Who is Dan Ashworth?DAN ASHWORTH is a true footballing man who has progressed through the game’s ranks all the way from player to club director.He never made it to the top as a player, instead featuring for a number of non-league sides and in the US.After hanging up his boots he quickly moved into the backroom, landing his first job at Peterborough.His big break came at West Brom, before he moved on to the Three Lions job where he was instrumental in creating ‘England’s DNA’.Two roles with Premier League clubs followed before Man Utd swooped in the summer.So what’s next for Ashworth?READ HIS FULL STORY HERE:As for Amorim, he said in his first press conference after joining last month that he wants the final say on transfers.He explained: “Everybody has to work together and for that we have to improve the process of recruitment, the data, the profile of players we want.”But I have to have a strong position on that because I am the coach. I know how to play, so I think it’s all together but the final word should be the manager.”Not just because it’s your right but your responsibility. Because, in the end, the result is to me, so I think it’s all together to improve the process of recruitment.”I have a great responsibility when we choose players because this is something that should be done this way. I’m the manager, the head coach, so I have to choose the players.”When Ashworth’s Newcastle exit and United arrival was finally secured, he said: “This remains one of the biggest football clubs in the world, but that is not our measure of success; the focus is on getting back to being among the best on the pitch. “It won’t happen overnight, but, together with Omar and his new leadership team, we will not rest until we have achieved it.“Although I grew up in Norfolk, I’ve always had a strong attachment with Manchester because my mum and dad were born in Middleton and my grandparents lived their whole lives there.READ MORE SUN STORIES“When I visited as a boy, my dad would take me to games across Greater Manchester and I remember the thrill of my first visit to Old Trafford in the late 1970s, watching the likes of Lou Macari, Jimmy Nicholl and Arthur Albiston.“I can’t claim to have been a partisan United fan – my dad enjoyed watching all the local teams – but I remember the special buzz that always seemed to surround games at Old Trafford, and it’s something I have experienced many times since during my career in football.”United’s summer transfer signingsArrivals:Leny Yoro (Lille) – £52mManuel Ugarte (PSG) – £50mMatthijs De Ligt (Bayern) – £43mJoshua Zirkzee (Bologna) – £36.5mNoussair Mazraoui (Bayern) – £16mSekou Kone (Guidars) – £1m More

MANCHESTER UNTED slipped to another defeat with goalkeeper Andre Onana coming under fire again. The United stopper was at fault for Morgan Gibbs-White’s riffler that wrong-footed Onana.Nottingham Forest beat Man Utd 3-2Credit: AFPChris Wood got the deciding third goal for Forest despite Bruno Fernandes pulling one back. Here is how SunSport’s Neil Custis rated United’s players from Old Trafford. ANDRE ONANA – 3Had an absolute shocker. For the second Forest goal Morgan Gibbs-White shot is straight down the middle along the floor. READ MORE ON MAN UTDIt maybe swerves a foot at most and he somehow couldn’t stop it. For the third he just let it loop over his head. He cannot command his area. LENY YORO – 6 The 19-year-old was making his first start for United and immediately looked unphased. Ruben Amorim has high hopes for someone he calls ‘a special talent’. He is easing him into the team after his summer injury and subbed him just past the hour. Most read in FootballMATTHIJS DE LIGT – 5 Amorim has tasked him with bringing the ball out from the back to set United moves going. Looked good in the first balf but what was he doing for Forest’s third as he let Chris Wood’s header go thinking it was going wide. Lisandro Martinez lack of height was on show at Old TraffordCredit: ReutersLISANDRO MARTINEZ – 4 It was said his lack of height would not be a problem but it was after 80 seconds here as Nikola Milenkovic headed home on 80 seconds.Then for Forest’s third he didn’t known what to do as the ball went over him at the far post.AMAD DIALLO – 7 Looking more and more like a United star with his positive forward runs from his new wing-back role. Had a couple of good chances himself but shots were weak, then made a great run and cut back before setting up Fernandes for United’s second. MANUEL UGARTE – 7 Looked constantly concerned with his defensive duties and understandably. Is a solid presence on the pitch though and a decent buy compared to plenty of others. Ugarte constantly concerned with his defensive duties and understandablyCredit: ReutersKOBBIE MAINOO – 6 Ugarte was having a good game in front of the back three allowing Mainoo to get further forward in the second-half when he became more of a threat. DIOGO DALOT – 6 Compared to Amad on the opposite flank did not have much of an influence. Got forward a lot more in the second-half. BRUNO FERNANDES – 7 Was always involved. But does the captain really have to contest every single decision the referee makes against his team. Made up for his loose pass that gave away possession for Forest’s second by scoring a fine goal himself. Bruno Fernandes pulled one back for UtdCredit: GettyRASMUS HOJLUND – 6 That’s three goals in three games after his pair against Bodo Glimt but there is still not enough movement from the front man. ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 5 Not his best game and looked far from happy when he was hauled off early in the second-half for Marcus Rashford.Alejandro Garnacho looked far from happy when he was hauled offCredit: RexSUBSTITUTIONS:MARCUS RASHFORD (for Garnacho, 58) – 6 These are the games he should be starting and starring in but that’s just not the case. MAZRAOUI (for Yoro 66) – 6 One of those the recruitment team did at least get right.HARRY MAGUIRE (for De Ligt 65) – 6 When Amorim decides on his best starting eleven Maguire should be in it. JOSHUA ZIRKZEE (for Ugarte 76) – 5 Not surprisingly failed to have an impact. READ MORE SUN STORIESMASON MOUNT (for Fernandes 76) – 6 Amorim has high hopes for him but he is still to convince the United faithful. Needs a long injury free run. Man Utd pay emotional tribute to much-loved receptionist Kath Phipps after tragic passing aged 85 More