Fabrizio Romano: ‘MAD DOG’ new era at Man Utd after Ashworth departure

Robin Bairner

• 9 Dec 2024 08:05 GMT
• 4 min read

Fabrizio Romano says that Manchester United are braced for moving into a new era following the departure of Dan Ashworth from the club.

Sporting director Ashworth surprisingly left Old Trafford by mutual consent on Sunday, completely changing the long-term outlook for Man Utd.

Romano says that the differences had been evident between the former Newcastle man and owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe almost from the start of his tenure, despite the Red Devils spending around £3 million to prise him from the Magpies in the summer.

“It’s shocking. Not in terms of what happened between Ashworth and the owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but shocking in terms of how much Man Utd spent, not just in money, but in terms of negotiations and in terms of time in order to have him to coordinate the new era of the club. But also how disappointed Ratcliffe, who is the crucial person in this story, has been with Ashworth,” Romano told his YouTube channel.

“Let me clarify immediately that Ruben Amorim is not part of this story. There was no problem between Ashford and Amorim.

“What’s important to say is that the problem was between Ashworth and Ratcliffe. The situation was tense. If you look at what Ratcliffe said before Saturday’s game – Man Utd lost at home to Nottingham Forest – started saying some very big things. He said some unpopular decisions were required to change the situation at Man Utd. He touched on the recruitment. He wants it to be the best in the world.

“He said in these months, July to December, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Dan Ashworth had a different view of a few things. Not just players to join the club, but in general the views were different. It was almost impossible to continue in the same way.

“They were unhappy with the managerial strategy they had. It’s been seen as a defeat to change the coach just a couple of months into the new season. Also in terms of recruitment.”

Man Utd’s new era

With Ashworth gone, the idea is that Man Utd are going to adopt a hard-running, modern approach to the game, or as Ruben Amorim has branded it, a “mad-dog” style of play.

These thoughts will dictate the transfer policy of the Old Trafford club in the next few years.

“For Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the recruitment of Man Utd has to look in a different direction. It’s about young players, talented players, players for the present and future, but also in terms of investment. The next few years in terms of FFP aren’t going to be easy,” Romano said.

“Many things have to change, according to Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Ruben Amorim is also looking in that direction. If they appointed him, it’s because he has the same view. He wants intensity, players to run, with a modern approach to the game. These are the type of signings they want. When Amorim says he wants players to “run like mad dogs”, this is what he means.

“With Dan Ashworth, the view was different. That’s why the situation started to get tense.”