Dan Ashworth set for three huge breakthroughs since leaving Newcastle United
Dan Ashworth is already making moves at Manchester United following his Newcastle exit
Manchester United are closing in on a double swoop for Dutch duo Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee, according to reports.
The Netherlands internationals would become the club’s first arrivals of the Dan Ashworth era. Newcastle United finally reached an agreement to cut ties with the 53-year-old last week following months of negotiations.
Ashworth spent less than two years at St James’ Park before jumping ship to Man United. Red Devils minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe publicly bemoaned Newcastle’s hardball stance on several occasions - most notably at the London Marathon.
Toon chiefs reached a compromise to help alleviate their FFP/PSR struggles and Ashworth began working for Man United from July 1. Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano now claims the former Newcastle chief is on the brink of his first summer signings.
Working alongside manager Erik ten Hag, technical director Jason Wilcox and the scouting department, Ashworth’s role will see him have a hands-on role in recruitment. Ratcliffe has planned a summer rebuild since being given sporting control by the Glazers.
Dutch internationals Zirkzee and De Ligt are poised to join the Inoes-backed revolution at Old Trafford. Zirkzee is thought to be the closest of the two deals, with the forward reportedly jetting to Manchester to complete a move.
De Ligt - a former Ten Hag protege at Ajax - is also understood to be closing in on a £50million move. Romano claims the 24-year-old has urged his agent to block all advances from other clubs.
Meanwhile, a Dutch flop, Donny van de Beek, has completed a move to Girona. The midfielder made just 35 Premier League appearances in four years for the Red Devils.
Ashworth has also been thrown into the Mason Greenwood saga immediately on arrival. The disgraced forward is set to join Marseille for £26million following a season-long loan at Getafe.