Man Utd: Dan Ashworth Plans to Work with Sam Jewell

• According to rumours in popular sports tabloids, incoming sports director Dan Ashworth plans to raid Brighton and Hove Albion FC.

Before he even becomes sporting director, Dan Ashworth is already planning his next move for Manchester United, hoping to make a raid of his former team, Brighton.

Ashworth, the sporting director at Newcastle United, is thought to have decided to depart from St. James’ Park after receiving an offer from the Red Devils to take on the role of sporting director, the first one at Old Trafford.

The Magpies had hoped they could persuade Ashworth to stay, but it seems as if Ashworth wants to move to Old Trafford, understandably due to his good relationship with Sir Dave Brailsford, the director of sport at Ineos. Sir Brailsford has been charged with managing Manchester United’s transition since Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought a 25% share in the team.

Newcastle and United will now negotiate a compensation deal for Ashworth, with the Magpies anticipating a “substantial” payment.

ESPN and other media sources indicate that rebuilding United’s scouting department will be Ashworth’s first and primary task, and he already knows who he wants to lead the process.

The reports say Ashworth is excited to work again with Sam Jewell, the head of recruitment for Brighton and the son of former Bradford and Wigan boss Paul Jewell.

Although Jewell was first hired by the Seagulls in 2016—two years before Ashworth—as their head of Under-21 recruitment, he has advanced through the ranks in the eight years he has been at the club.

Many people hail Jewell for his significant role in the successful transfers of Alexis Mac Allister, Moises Caicedo, and Julio Enciso, which Brighton has made in recent years.

Jewell has an eye for young South American talents, whom he signed for cheap and sold for huge sums.

In the meantime, United prioritises bringing Ashworth to Old Trafford, as the club has not formally approached Jewell.

Despite not approaching him yet, Ashworth thinks highly of Jewell and views him as a perfect fit to help revamp the United squad. The team at Sir Ratcliffe’s Ineos is also aware of the Brighton chief’s success on the south coast.

However, other reports indicate that Ashworth and United were also considering Paul Mitchell, the former sports director of Tottenham, Southampton, and Monaco, as a potential candidate, so Jewell may not have been their first pick.

Nevertheless, Mitchell—famous for signing players like Virgil van Dijk and Son Heung-min—has declined United’s offer because he is not interested in accepting the position, which is only focused on recruiting.