Dan Ashworth finally addresses controversial and shameful Newcastle exit for Man Utd

Former Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth has opened up about his new chapter at Manchester United, following the completion of his anticipated and controversial move to Old Trafford.

After a deal was struck between Newcastle and the Red Devils for Ashworth's services, after long negotiations and a period on gardening leave, he's now settling into his role as sporting director, a position he was eager to take on especially after his good friend Sir David John Brailsford got involved with the club. Ashworth is already mapping out his vision for the future at Man United.

On the official Manchester United website, Ashworth expressed his excitement: "This is one of my first opportunities to address Manchester United fans since joining the club as sporting director on 1 July, so I want to start by saying how delighted I am to be here. Although I grew up in Norfolk, I've always had a strong attachment with Manchester because my mum and dad were born in Middleton and my grandparents lived their whole lives there.

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"When I visited as a boy, my dad would take me to games across Greater Manchester and I remember the thrill of my first visit to Old Trafford in the late 1970s, watching the likes of Lou Macari, Jimmy Nicholl and Arthur Albiston."

Ashworth also shared his neutral but fond memories of Manchester United: "I can't claim to have been a partisan United fan my dad enjoyed watching all the local teams but I remember the special buzz that always seemed to surround games at Old Trafford, and it's something I have experienced many times since during my career in football.

"So it's going to be an incredibly proud moment entering the directors' box on the home side for the first time when the Premier League season gets under way against Fulham on August 16. The close season is always a reset moment for every club, but the sense of renewal has been particularly strong at Manchester United this summer as our new leadership structure takes shape."

However, Ashworth admitted he will have his work cut out to get Man United back into the top four as he looks to work with Erik ten Hag and CEO Omar Berrada.

Ashworth also spoke about how much he was looking forward to working with the Dutchman and a new CEO and said: "This remains one of the biggest football clubs in the world, but that is not our measure of success; the focus is on getting back to being among the best on the pitch. It won't happen overnight, but, together with Omar and his new leadership team, we will not rest until we have achieved it."

Man United will be boosted by a new training complex in the year ahead, with Ashworth commenting: "There are also changes to the physical environment at Carrington as work commences on our season-long £50 million redevelopment of the training ground evidence of our commitment to improving the club's infrastructure."