Gary Neville Encouraged by Manchester United’s Impending Appointment of Dan Ashworth
Manchester United’s recruitment set-up is set to undergo a significant transformation with the imminent arrival of Dan Ashworth as the club’s sporting director. This move has been welcomed by former United player Gary Neville, who believes that Ashworth will prioritize understanding why Declan Rice turned down a move to Old Trafford.
Ashworth, who has previously worked wonders at clubs like Newcastle and Brighton, is highly respected in the football industry. His appointment is seen as a crucial step in Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Old Trafford revolution, as United aims to rectify their past mistakes in player recruitment.
Over the years, United has wasted millions of pounds on expensive flops, with managers failing to make astute signings. However, Ashworth’s impressive track record suggests that this trend is about to change. Neville is confident that Ashworth will not only analyze the reasoning behind signing players like Antony, who has failed to live up to his hefty price tag, but also investigate why Rice chose to join Arsenal instead of United.
Rice, the former West Ham captain, had been a target for United in the past. However, when the time came for him to leave West Ham, United were not even in contention for his signature. Neville speculates that Ashworth will thoroughly examine past analysis and reports to identify who was responsible for signing off on players over the past few years.
Furthermore, Neville believes that Ashworth will look into missed opportunities and what was said about players like Luis Díaz and Declan Rice when they joined other clubs. Rice, in particular, was historically seen as a player who would have been signed by Manchester United if given the chance.
Ashworth’s attention to detail is expected to extend to assessing the current staff and their roles within the club. Neville anticipates significant changes in all aspects of the club’s operations, as United has operated without a sporting director for the past decade, relying on the manager and Ed Woodward, who is primarily a banker and financier.
While the outcome of these changes remains uncertain, Neville is confident that the appointment of Dan Ashworth will bring much-needed transformation to Manchester United. The club’s recruitment strategy and decision-making process are set to undergo a thorough evaluation, with the aim of avoiding past mistakes and building a successful future.