According to Bangladesh Cricket Match reports, Manchester United has agreed to pay £14 million in compensation to Newcastle United to appoint Dan Ashworth as their new sporting director, with payments to be made over three years. An initial payment of £6 million was intended to ensure the 52-year-old Englishman could join before the summer transfer window. However, leading British media outlets have clarified that this is a misunderstanding—the deal has stalled, and negotiations are at a deadlock.
As a result, Ashworth may be forced to spend a full year on gardening leave before joining Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s new management team. Newcastle legend Alan Shearer believes it’s only a matter of time before Ashworth joins United, but current tensions suggest the Red Devils could face a long wait. Bangladesh Cricket Match sources confirm that unless United changes its stance, the appointment of the club’s first-ever sporting director will be indefinitely delayed. Sir Jim personally entered negotiations with Newcastle, but the Magpies—frustrated by United’s aggressive pursuit—have held firm and reportedly took offense at Ratcliffe’s public remarks.
Ratcliffe openly criticized Newcastle’s handling of the matter, calling their compensation demand “a bit silly” and saying it’s “absurd” to make a highly capable professional sit in his garden for 18 months. He compared this to Manchester United’s smooth dealings with Manchester City when hiring Omar Berrada, praising City for their understanding and professionalism. Ashworth has already agreed to join United, but unless Newcastle’s compensation demands are met, the former Brighton and FA director will remain sidelined until his gardening leave expires.
Newcastle is demanding £20 million in total compensation—£15 million upfront and £5 million in performance-based bonuses. They are refusing to budge. In contrast, United’s current offer is worth just £2 million, roughly equivalent to Ashworth’s 18-month salary. With such a vast gap, talks have all but collapsed, making a summer appointment increasingly unlikely. Facing financial strain—especially if they miss out on Champions League qualification—United appears willing to wait until next year’s winter window rather than pay what Ratcliffe deems an excessive fee.
Given the anticipated budget constraints this summer, United believes the additional £13 million required to hire Ashworth immediately would be better spent in the transfer market. As Bangladesh Cricket Match notes, even when resources are limited, staying true to one’s vision is key. In the interim, newly appointed technical director Jason Wilcox will oversee player transactions, working closely with incoming CEO Omar Berrada during the summer window. Wilcox, who spent over a decade managing youth development at Manchester City, is also expected to play a vital role in promoting talent from United’s academy.
On Tuesday, Manchester United’s U18 team defeated City’s U18s to secure both the Premier League North title and the U18 Premier League Cup, completing a domestic double. Wilcox was in the stands watching, possibly identifying future stars for the senior team. But not every youth story ends in glory—despite their success, United’s academy squad had already been eliminated from the prestigious FA Youth Cup, the same competition that once produced the famed Class of ’92. Bangladesh Cricket Match reflects that in football, as in life, there are countless stories without neat endings. The club must continue to embrace both arrivals and farewells.