Man Utd face another YEAR without a sporting director with rivals to demand big money for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s top target

MANCHESTER UNITED have identified Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth as their top target for the same role at Old Trafford.

They may have to be patient if they are determined to appoint him, however, as he has a 12-month notice period at Newcastle.

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Dan Ashworth joined Newcastle from Brighton last year[/caption]

Ashworth, 52, left Brighton to join the Toon last year.

He spent his final four months with the Seagulls on gardening leave as they haggled with Newcastle over what ended up being a £5million compensation fee.

Ashworth has no release clause in his £1.5m-a-year Toon contract.

According to the Mail, it will take a fee far greater than his annual salary for Man Utd to prise him away from St James’ Park.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has identified Ashworth as his top target for the important role at Old Trafford.

The British tycoon, 71, is finally set to complete his 25 per cent Man Utd takeover alongside Dave Brailsford imminently.

Should Ashworth decide to leave for Old Trafford, Newcastle could turn to Bournemouth transfer chief Richard Hughes.

SunSport revealed that boss Eddie Howe would be delighted to reunite with Hughes with the pair having worked together at Bournemouth.

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Should Man Utd land Ashworth, he could still be joined by another senior scout.

Former Tottenham transfer chief Paul Mitchell has been strongly linked with the role.

While Crystal Palace‘s Dougie Freedman is also in the frame.

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe is finally set to complete his partial Man Utd takeover[/caption]