Man Utd in tapping up storm after Dan Ashworth ‘let slip their interest in secret exchange to Newcastle account’
MANCHESTER UNITED are allegedly involved in a tapping storm after Dan Ashworth accidentally revealed their secret talks in an almighty email own goal.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are attempting to transform the Red Devils from top to bottom after buying a 25 per cent stake in the club earlier this year.
United confirmed the appointment of Jason Wilcox as technical director last month from Southampton in their latest change.
That arrival came after Utd revealed ex-Man City man Omar Berrada as their new chief executive.
However, a new sporting director is yet to be appointed after top target Dan Ashworth was placed on gardening leave by Newcastle, who are believed to be demanding £20m compensation – an “absurd” figure according to Ratcliffe.
Now the Daily Mail has offered an update on the situation and claimed that ex-West Brom, Football Association and Brighton chief Ashworth was involved in an “embarrassing blunder and error of judgement” along with Berrada.
The report claims that Ashworth “sent an email to a Newcastle United address inadvertently revealing he was being tapped up” by incoming Berrada, who himself was on garden leave from City at the time.
Man Utd and Newcastle both declined to comment when contacted by Sun Sport as this report stated that the incident “could be looked at by the Premier League”.
The pair are alleged to have held a conversation at the start of February which led to Ashworth, 53, following it up by sending Berrada an email to an INEOS account.
He is claimed to have made it clear he wanted to accept the chance to become sporting director at United.
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However, Ashworth “clumsily” disclosed to his employers the negotiations with Berrada by sending a blind copy to his own Newcastle club email account at a time when United had not informed Toon of their interest.
Berrada, who starts his job at Old Trafford officially on July 13, was less than a month into his own gardening leave at the time.
That could have potentially breached the terms of his contract.
The Mail adds that Ashworth “also disclosed details to Berrada of the agreement between Newcastle and Brighton that took him to St James’ Park” two years ago.
That is “likely to be a breach of confidentiality” to both of the Magpies and Seagulls.
Ashworth told Newcastle that he wanted to leave on February 18 to join United and was put on gardening leave.
Ratcliffe has suggested that it will finish towards the end of 2025 unless an acceptable offer is made to Newcastle to bring that date forward.
Ashworth, who is still being paid his £1m-a-year salary by the Magpies, is going to the court of arbitration to try and secure his exit.
But The Times says that his blunder could end up costing United millions more in compensation.
The case was due to start this month, but this update says: “It is felt this information could now be crucial in swinging the pendulum in favour of Newcastle before the arbitration that Ashworth and Manchester United hoped would help to facilitate his move to the club.”
Without naming Newcastle and Ashworth directly, a frustrated Ratcliffe said in February: “I think it’s a bit silly, personally.
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“What I do think is completely absurd is suggesting a man who is really good at his job sits in his garden for one and a half years.
“We had a very grown-up conversation with City about Omar Berrada. When things got done we sorted it out very amicably. They could see why he wanted to take that challenge.
“You look at Pep (Guardiola) when he’s done with one of his footballers – he doesn’t want them to sit in the garden for one and a half years. He doesn’t do that. That’s not the way the UK works or the law works.”
This latest report has claimed that there is “increased chatter in football circles” that Ratcliffe, who has made changes that have led to a “toxic” atmosphere at United’s training ground, has a lack of understanding how the football industry works.
The chief recently left United employees fuming by removing staff perks around the FA Cup final and also banned working from home.
The Premier League has not received any official complaint yet.
But their rulebook does make it clear that each club, director and official must behave towards each other with the “utmost good faith” and that it is a breach if they “act dishonestly towards another club” or “engage in conduct that is intended to circumvent these rules”.
Ratcliffe also recently took aim at Newcastle by saying: “One of the biggest problems we have in football is we get these new guys to come into the team, they’re really capable people, but they’re all on gardening leave.
“So it takes six months, a year or even 18 months (for them to start) It’s a real issue in football at the moment.”
Why Man Utd must win FA Cup
ERIK TEN HAG says Manchester United must pay back their world-class fans with an FA Cup triumph after their awful league season, writes Tom Barlcay.
United came eighth which was their lowest-ever finish despite winning 2-0 on the final day at Brighton.
They also came away from a miserable campaign with a negative goal difference – but still can win a trophy when they take on Manchester City in next week’s cup final.
The away fans roared themselves hoarse just as they have done all term despite the poor results.
Boss Ten Hag said: “We have the best fans in the world and I mean this.
“I have never had this experience when you have a season like us, which is by far not good enough, that the supporters are with us.
“They are with us in the bad season and in bad times they are there. I think also they know why the bad times are there.
“But we have to pay them back and we have to do everything to give them a trophy next week but also for the future, we have to perform better.”
United won thanks to late goals from Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Hojlund.
But for the second game running, Hojlund began the match on the bench as United opted for a false nine – in a hint over how United will set up in the cup final.
That was how they played in March’s 3-1 defeat to City at the Etihad in the league, too.
Ten Hag added: “It’s a luxury problem. Both formations can be a success because we can set up like we did at the Etihad where we were a threat with movement in behind.
“But of course with Rasmus Hojlund in this form it’s absolutely a consideration and a thought that we have to consider.
“You need not only 11 players in a tough final but a bench as well.”
Hojlund’s tally now stands at 16 goals in his maiden season after the 21-year-old arrived from Atalanta for £72million last summer.
Reflecting on the Dane’s campaign, Ten Hag observed: “It could always be better but don’t forget he had three injuries this season.
“He came in with the injury, missed the start, then he got injured before winter and then he got injured after winter. So every time that broke his rhythm and if you then shoot 16 goals for the first season it’s OK. And it’s not over, we have to play the FA Cup final.”