Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘makes Newcastle transfer guru Dan Ashworth his top target for Man United sporting director role ahead of talks with Sir Alex Ferguson’

• Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly targeting a Newcastle chief to bring to Man United 
• It comes ahead of talks between Ratcliffe and former boss Sir Alex Ferguson 
• It’s LAZY to criticise a team for setting up defensively. It requires intelligence, hard work, discipline and selflessness. Well done Man United – It’s All Kicking Off 

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has identified a Newcastle transfer chief as his top target for Man United’s sporting director role, ahead of his decisive talks with Sir Alex Ferguson, according to reports. 

INEOS billionaire Ratcliffe is poised to take a 25 per cent stake in United and control of football operations.

And, in doing so, there will be wholesale changes around United – including with the vacant sporting director role at the club.  

According to The Sun, Newcastle’s transfer chief Dan Ashworth is the man that Ratcliffe wants to bring in once he arrives at Old Trafford. 

Ashworth previously joined Newcastle after leaving fellow Premier League side, Brighton, in June last year. 

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has identified a Newcastle transfer chief as his top target for Man United’s sporting director role 

The news comes ahead of Ratcliffe’s meeting with Man United legend Sir Alex Ferguson

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His departure from the AMEX saw him put on gardening leave for an extended period of time while Newcastle negotiated his initial move to St James’ Park.

United’s current boardroom doesn’t boast a sporting director, a decision that has been heavily criticised during a period when the club’s recent recruitment has been scrutinised. 

The interest in Ashworth comes ahead of Ratcliffe’s meeting with Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson, as reported by The Telegraph.

The British billionaire will meet with the former manager to discuss the structure of the club, prior to the formal appointment of a sporting director.

The outlet also claim that Crystal Palace chief Dougie Freedman could be a contender for the position. Ferguson is known to be a big advocate of the Scotsman.   

Ratcliffe is expected to bring in members from his own INEOS sporting team including former Team SKY and Team GB cycling chief Sir Dave Brailsford when his 25 per cent purchase in United is confirmed.

 United have reportedly identified Newcastle transfer chief Dan Ashworth (left) as a priority

 The 71-year-old will purchase stocks in the 13-time Premier League champions on the New York Stock Exchange while also taking further shares from the owning Glazer family.

United could finally confirm Ratcliffe’s £1.25billion investment before Christmas, Mike Keegan has told Mail Sport’s It’s All Kicking Off show.

Delivering an update  on Monday, Keegan said: ‘The hope is still that it will be announced before Christmas, in the coming days, were the words given to me.

‘I have a decent source in the US and they believe the next few days is realistic.

‘One caveat to that is the approval process will take between six to eight weeks. United fans listening might think that’s the transfer window out of the question.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is expected to make changes in the sporting boardroom at United once his investment in the club is confirmed

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‘The transfer window, I am told – do not expect big moves from Manchester United and that has nothing to do with the takeover. That is to do with Financial Fair Play and the balance sheet.

‘I am told the bits of business you can expect are: Jadon Sancho out on loan if they can find the right move for him and Donny van de Beek, a loan move out for him.

‘It’s not like this gets announced and all of sudden there’s all these players that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s group have got lined up and in they come.’

Ratcliffe’s arrival has come with a promise of £250million for infrastructure improvement, including to Old Trafford, which has been allowed to decay in recent years.

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