Dan Ashworth is said to have risen to the top of the list of candidates to take on the role of Arsenal's new sporting director. The 53-year-old left Old Trafford last weekend, just five months after arriving at the club.
A brief statement from Man United reads: "Dan Ashworth will leave the role of Manchester United's sporting director by mutual consent. We would like to thank Dan Ashworth for his work and support during the club's transition period. We wish him all the best for the future."
However, Ashworth may not be out of work for too long. Man United's Premier League rival Arsenal have been linked with a call-up for the 53-year-old as they are still looking for a new sporting director.
Edu has since left his role as Arsenal's sporting director. Although he has not yet taken up a new job, Edu is expected to work under Evangelos Marinakis, the owner of Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos. For Arsenal, Ashworth will become their alternative option.
The move to the Emirates will see Ashworth reunite with Arsenal chief executive Richard Garlick. The pair previously worked together at West Bromwich Albion and are said to have a close relationship.
Explaining his role at both West Brom and Arsenal in 2021, Garlick said: "I am a qualified lawyer, I have been in private practice for 10 years, then moved to West Brom, where I was a legal advisor and club secretary for 4 years. After that, my role developed into a wider role.
Therefore, I understand how to convert a paper transfer plan into a realistic plan from a financial and legal perspective. Usually, as transfer deals progress further, that is when my involvement increases."
If Ashworth moves to the Emirates, he could play a key role in Arsenal's upcoming transfers. He has previously only overseen one transfer window at Old Trafford, when Man United spent around £180m on five new faces.
This includes the double signings of Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich. Manuel Ugarte, Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro were also signed for relatively high fees.
