Dan Ashworth: The Prospective Man Utd Sporting Director Making Waves in the Transfer Market
Manchester United is on the hunt for a new sporting director, and their number-one target is none other than Dan Ashworth. With Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS shaking up the senior management team at Old Trafford, Ashworth’s recruitment expertise is highly sought after. The 52-year-old has an impressive track record, having held positions at Peterborough United, Cambridge United, West Bromwich Albion, and most recently, Newcastle United. Let’s take a closer look at some of Ashworth’s biggest and best signings throughout his career.
Romelu Lukaku: A Shrewd Loan Move
Back in 2012, Ashworth and West Bromwich Albion made a masterstroke signing by bringing Romelu Lukaku to the Hawthorns on loan. The young Belgian striker proved his worth by scoring 17 Premier League goals that season, outperforming any Chelsea player. One of his most memorable moments came in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final game as Manchester United manager, where Lukaku scored a hat-trick against the Red Devils.
Peter Odemwingie: A Bargain Buy
Another astute signing made under Ashworth’s stewardship at West Brom was Peter Odemwingie. The Nigerian forward joined the club in 2010 for a mere £1.5 million from Lokomotiv Moscow. He made an instant impact, netting 15 goals in his first season and becoming the top scorer for West Brom in the Premier League with 30 goals overall. Odemwingie played a crucial role in helping the Baggies achieve top-half finishes under managers Roy Hodgson and Steve Clarke.
Marc Cucurella: A Profitable Sale
After joining Brighton, Ashworth focused on establishing a world-class recruitment team that targeted high-potential players from abroad. Left-back Marc Cucurella was one of the first success stories of this model. Brighton signed him for £15 million from Getafe, and he quickly became a key player, winning the club’s Player of the Season award. Chelsea came knocking and secured his services for a whopping £55 million, resulting in an impressive £40 million profit for Brighton.
Moises Caicedo: A Record-Breaking Transfer
If Cucurella was the blueprint, then Moises Caicedo is the shining example of Brighton’s recruitment policy under Ashworth. The Ecuadorian midfielder was signed for a bargain fee of £4 million from Independiente del Valle. Caicedo’s performances quickly caught the attention of Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea, leading to a record British transfer fee of £115 million when he moved to Stamford Bridge in August 2023.
Karou Mitoma: A Rising Star
Karou Mitoma is one of the brightest talents to emerge under Ashworth’s reign at Brighton. Signed for just £2.5 million from Kawasaki Frontale, the Japanese winger has established himself as one of the league’s best. With three goals and four assists so far this season, Mitoma has garnered interest from several top clubs.
Nick Pope: A Defensive Mainstay
Upon joining Newcastle, Ashworth wasted no time in bolstering the team’s defense by signing Nick Pope from Burnley for a modest fee of £10 million. The England international proved to be superb value, forming the backbone of Newcastle’s defense as they secured a top-four finish and a return to the Champions League.
Sven Botman: A Solid Center-Back
Joining Newcastle just days after Pope’s arrival, Sven Botman joined the Magpies from Lille for £35 million. The Dutch center-back has become an integral part of Newcastle’s defensive efforts, providing stability and strength at the back.
Alexander Isak: A Record-Breaking Striker
In his first summer at Newcastle, Ashworth made a statement signing by acquiring Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad for a club-record fee of £63 million. Isak has proven to be the perfect complement to Callum Wilson, already notching up 10 goals in his maiden season and showing great promise for the future.
Anthony Gordon: Silencing the Doubters
Newcastle’s January signing in 2022 was Anthony Gordon from Everton for £45 million. Although the fee raised eyebrows due to his limited Premier League experience, Gordon has proven his worth by registering eight Premier League goals in his first full season at Newcastle.
Sandro Tonali: A Bump in the Road
Newcastle’s big summer signing in 2023 was AC Milan’s Sandro Tonali, who arrived for £55 million. The Italian midfielder settled quickly into the team but encountered a setback when he received a ten-month ban for gambling breaches. This incident may be a blemish on Ashworth’s otherwise impressive track record.
Conclusion
Dan Ashworth’s reputation as a shrewd and successful sporting director is well-deserved. Throughout his career, he has made several significant signings that have had a positive impact on their respective clubs. From Romelu Lukaku’s loan spell at West Brom to Moises Caicedo’s record-breaking transfer at Brighton, Ashworth has consistently identified and acquired talent. If Manchester United manages to secure his services, it could be a game-changer for the club’s future success.