From Arsenal star to World Cup winner and Premier League record holder – here's why Dan Ashworth is wanted by Man United

15/02/2024 10:45

Manchester United may have spent more than £1.5billion in the past decade – but their recruitment policy has been the source of laughter to rival fans.

And Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth could be the man to finally sort things out at Old Trafford as the club look to return to winning ways.

Since 2014, the Red Devils have forked out £1.67bn on new players according to the CIES Football Observatory, with the majority of their mega-money transfers failing to deliver.

Their top five biggest signings consisting of Paul Pogba [£89m], Antony [£82m], Harry Maguire [£80m], Romelu Lukaku [£75m] and Jadon Sancho [73m] have all flattered to deceive.

Fans have been crying out for a sporting director, and supporters could soon get their wish with Newcastle chief Ashworth on their radar.

talkSPORT understands the former FA bigwig, who has been with the Magpies since 2022, is keen on a switch to the Theatre of Dreams to become United’s inaugural director.

Ashworth, who previously held similar roles at Brighton and West Brom, has gained a reputation as being a transfer specialist, with most of his arrivals proving to be big hits.

Here talkSPORT.com runs you through seven of the best signings from the 52-year-old’s career so far.

Leandro Trossard – Genk to Brighton – £15m

Ashworth brought the Belgian forward to the Amex Stadium in 2019 – the same summer he linked up with the south coast outfit.

His dazzling displays for the Seagulls saw him make his international debut in 2020, where he is now a key player having made 30 appearances.

In total, he spent three-and-a-half years with Brighton – scoring 25 goals in 122 matches.

He left to join Arsenal in last year’s winter window in a deal rising to £27m, with the 29-year-old a key player in the Gunners’ hunt for the title.

Alexis Mac Allister – Argentinos Juniors to Brighton – £7m

Few would have ever expected the 25-year-old to reach the heights he has since moving to Brighton in 2019.

He was loaned back out to Argentinos before being shipped out to Boca Juniors, eventually becoming a regular in Brighton’s team in the 2020/21 season.

And it soon became clear that Ashworth and his network of scouts had identified a gem, with Argentina’s national team also realising his potential.

One of their stars from their 2022 World Cup-winning campaign, he became the first Brighton player to feature in the final of the global tournament.

After banging in 12 goals in all competitions last term, Liverpool brought him to Anfield in a deal worth £55m, where he is helping the Reds fight for four trophies.

Moises Caicedo – Independiente del Valle to Brighton – £4.5m

Another bargain pick-up, Caicedo went from being an unknown quantity to becoming the Premier League’s record transfer within two years.

Incredibly, the Ecuador international only spent one full season at the Amex before joining Chelsea in a British record £115m transfer.

It is without a doubt the best piece of business in top-flight history, with Brighton earning £110.5m in profit.

With Caicedo featuring in just 53 matches from his two-year stay, it means that Brighton banked a cool £2m per each appearance.

Kaoru Mitoma – Kawasaki Frontale to Brighton – £2.7m

Another outstanding find, the Japanese winger was one of the Premier League’s standout wingers in his debut season last year.

A 2021 signing, he was immediately loaned to Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, before becoming a star player under Graham Potter and now Roberto De Zerbi.

After chipping in with seven goals and five assists in the 2022/23 term, he was rewarded with a new four-year deal to fend off interest from Arsenal, United and Chelsea.

With nine goal involvements in all competitions this season, the 26-year-old is another Ashworth signing that looks destined to join a ‘Top Six’ club.

Alexander Isak – Real Sociedad to Newcastle – £63m

The Swedish centre-forward made the move to Tyneside in a club-record transfer, where he has instantly become a fan favourite.

With ten top-flight goals last season, he helped the Magpies finish fourth to secure a Champions League place.

And he is Newcastle’s top scorer this term with 14 strikes in just 25 matches.

Still just 24-years-old, the ex-Borussia Dortmund marksman has plenty of time to blossom into one of the top strikers in the division.

Nick Pope – Burnley to Newcastle – £10m

Ashworth managed to secure a cut-price fee for the goalkeeper following the Clarets’ relegation to the Championship.

And he kept a whopping 14 clean sheets from his 37 appearances, while conceding just 32 goals.

His fine form saw him named in England’s World Cup 2022 squad, and he could be included in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 side if he recovers from injury.

Pope has been out with a shoulder knock since December, which has coincided with Newcastle shipping in goals for fun.

They have conceded 25 goals in ten matches without him, having previously only shipped in 14 in as many matches with Pope in the line-up.

Anthony Gordon – Everton to Newcastle – £45m

Eyebrows were raised when the Toon splashed out big bucks on Gordon in January 2023.

He struggled for form in the second half of last season, but has been nothing short of sensational this campaign.

The 22-year-old has banged in seven times in all competitions and has provided seven assists.

Proving to be a big game player, he has found the back of the net against Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and United.

And he is in with a huge chance of being on the plane to Germany with the Three Lions this summer.