Man Utd chief Ashworth 'hurt' by Newcastle criticism

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 8 Sep 2024 09:35 CDT
• 3 min read

Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth is 'hurt' by criticism aimed at him by Newcastle chief Paul Mitchell, according to reports.

Ashworth defected to the Red Devils from Newcastle after compensation was agreed between the two clubs.

Taking his place was Mitchell, who presided over an abysmal summer transfer window for the Magpies.

The former AS Monaco man only had seven weeks at the helm and it's thought that this was not enough to gel with the rest of the recruitment staff and bring in new signings.

In a recent interview, Mitchell said: “You look at the money we have invested up to this point, £250 million net over the last two-and-a-half years. It’s a lot of money and was our model in place to be able to spend more to the levels we would have liked to keep enhancing the team? I don’t think it was, because we haven’t sold a player during that time, barring what we were forced to do through legislation of PSR.

“There hasn’t been a clear strategic strategy over the last five years to say once we get to this point, can we keep enhancing the team with the same level of investment? I don’t think that was factored into the strategies we had and that is a learning for everyone but I do think we have to be more global in our vision of the players we sign."

The comments have not gone down well with Ashworth, however. The Telegraph reports that: though he and Mitchell know each other well, the Man Utd executive "is understood to have been particularly disappointed that a fellow sporting director would resort to criticising the previous regime as it is not something he has ever done."

Newcasle continue Guehi pursuit

Newcastle remain determined in their pursuit of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, despite their unsuccessful attempts to sign the 24-year-old during the summer transfer window.

Current ETV

Marc Guéhi

D (C)

C. Palace

Marc Guéhi

D (C)

C. Palace

€38.9M

ETV Range

€29.2M - €48.7M

View full profile

Eddie Howe's side endured a disappointing summer window. Aside from turning Lewis Hall’s loan into a permanent deal, Newcastle's additions were mainly for squad depth, including Lloyd Kelly, William Osula, and backup goalkeepers John Ruddy and Odysseas Vlachodimos.

The Magpies' last offer of around £65m (€77.3m) plus add-ons did not convinced Palace to sell and Newcastle then walked away from the move.

FootballTransfers had confirmed Newcastle’s interest in Mohamed Simakan as a potential alternative to Guehi but the Frenchman left RB Leipzig to Al-Nassr instead.