ASHWORTH EVERY PENNY?

Old Trafford would be huge test for Dan

DAN ASHWORTH has earned himself a reputation for being one of the shrewdest and most respected executives in football.

But that reputation will face the ultimate test if he gets his wish to become sporting director at Manchester United.

It’s one thing landing a bargain on behalf of Brighton, then selling that player on for huge profit.

It’s another altogether when it comes to running the transfer policy of one of the richest and most famous clubs in the world.

The 52-year-old landed his first big role when appointed the Football Association’s director of elite development in 2012.

He became one of the creators of the “England DNA” – a development plan aimed at helping create senior winning teams in the men’s and women’s game.

And senior FA figures still credit him with having helped lay the foundations for the success of the Three Lions and Lionesses at recent major tournaments (Ashworth with England boss Gareth Southgate, inset right).

But it was at Brighton where Ashworth (right) established himself as one of football’s brightest operators.

He became technical director there in 2019 and helped oversee a revolution in the club’s playing style.

Ashworth also excelled in the transfer market, making Brighton one of the most successful and well-run clubs in Premier League history.

Which certainly cannot be said of his latest suitors. Quite the opposite, in fact.

Because in recent times the Red Devils have frittered hundreds of millions of pounds on overpriced signings incapable of coping with the demands of the club.

This has not gone unnoticed by new jointowner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is now determined to overhaul the English giants’ football operation.

He wants Ashworth to work his magic at Old Trafford, and turn United into a ruthless, respected and innovative outfit when it comes to finding talent at the right price. Good luck with this, Dan.

For longer than certain people care to remember, United’s reputation of wasteful wealth has preceded them. The end result has seen them held to ransom over transfers. The most recent – and arguably damaging example of this – is United’s decision to spend £86million on Antony (with

United boss Erik ten Hag, right).

Ratcliffe was said to have been mortified when informed of the financial deal United sanctioned to lure the Brazilian flop to

Old Trafford in 2022. Transforming United into a more streetwise club will be Ashworth’s No.1 priority.

He will work closely with Sir Dave Brailsford and answer only to Ratcliffe. Ashworth and Brailsford are close – the Newcastle sporting director (with boss Eddie Howe, inset left) invited

INEOS’S director of sport to give a motivational talk to the Toon squad in 2022.

Ashworth will be given huge influence over other appointments within United’s recruitment team – and is a huge admirer of Brighton’s head of recruitment, Sam Jewell.

But whoever he surrounds himself with, the task ahead promises to be the most challenging he will have ever faced.