Manchester United hire Ashworth from Newcastle as sporting director

Manchester United hired Dan Ashworth as its sporting director on Monday, completing three recent management appointments, as new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe attempts to restore glory to the once-dominant English Premier League club.

Ashworth has joined the team from Newcastle after months of negotiations and will start immediately, United said.

He replaces former Man City chief executive Omar Berrada as chief executive and Jason Wilcox as technical director.

“Newcastle United and Manchester United have reached an agreement for the immediate release of Dan Ashworth from his contractual obligations at Newcastle United,” the clubs said in a joint statement. “The terms of this agreement remain confidential between the clubs.”

Ratcliffe took control of United’s ailing football operations in February when he secured an initial 25% stake in the storied club, which is majority owned by the American Glazer family.

He has said he intends to return the club to the top of European football after a period of decline on the pitch since the retirement of legendary manager Alex Ferguson in 2013. United have not won the English league since then.

Ratcliffe, who owns petrochemical giants INEOS and is one of the UK’s richest men, has been quick to overhaul the club since his investment, which will eventually rise to 27.7 per cent.

Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc, key figures at Ratcliffe’s INEOS Sport, have joined the board of United Football Club.

Recent departures include former chief executive Richard Arnold, who resigned in November, and director of football John Murtough, who left in April.

Manager Erik ten Hag stayed at the club after winning the FA Cup last season, his second trophy in as many years, and the Dutchman is in talks to extend his contract.

___

James Robson is in https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

___

AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

James Robson, Associated Press