Scott McTominay will be delighted if Jim Ratcliffe signs Dan Ashworth at Man Utd
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Scott McTominay has become a crucial member of Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United squad this season despite spending the summer in the shop window. And he could benefit more than most if Sir Jim Ratcliffe secures his first-choice sporting director once he enters power at Old Trafford.
According to the Mail, Dan Ashworth is increasingly likely to leave his role at Newcastle United and join Ratcliffe’s new sporting structure in the coming months.
Ashworth has ties to INEOS and has been touted as the 71-year-old’s preferred candidate to replace John Murtough at the helm of United’s recruitment.
The Newcastle chief impressed at Brighton and Hove Albion before his switch to St James’ Park under the club’s Saudi Arabian regime last year.
During his two-year stint on Tyneside, McTominay has regularly been linked with joining Eddie Howe’s revolution.
The 27-year-old was touted as a target ahead of the summer transfer window, and United were willing to offload him if their £40m asking price was met.
More recently, he has reportedly appeared on Ashworth’s list of targets to replace Sandro Tonali after his 10-month ban due to betting breaches.
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The 52-year-old clearly highly rates McTominay, who has also won over Ten Hag with his performances and crucial goals this term.
McTominay started just 10 Premier League games in Ten Hag’s maiden season in charge, behind Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Marcel Sabitzer and Fred in his pecking order.
But Sabitzer and Fred’s summer exits and injuries to Casemiro, Eriksen and £60m new boy Mason Mount have meant he’s already started 11 this term, including the last nine.
He most recently captained United in Fernandes’ absence against Liverpool on Sunday, a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Anfield that deservedly earned praise.
Ashworth’s potential arrival would strengthen the Scotland international’s claim to a regular starting berth going forward.
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Ratcliffe reportedly plans to appoint other trusted names as part of his sporting shake-up at United once his £1.3bn deal for a 25 per cent stake is ratified.
Chief executive Richard Arnold has already confirmed his departure. He is set to be replaced by highly-respected former Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain figure Jean-Claude Blanc.
Ashworth is unlikely to be the only new face in the recruitment department, either.
Ratcliffe is claimed to want a head of recruitment and a new sporting director, with Paul Mitchell and Dougie Freedman the current frontrunners.
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