‘Different mentality’ - Simon Jordan poses Dan Ashworth question amid Newcastle to Man Utd links

Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan believes Manchester United will prove the ultimate test of character for Dan Ashworth.

While nothing has been confirmed, Newcastle United are awaiting an official approach for their sporting director. All the noises suggest Ashworth would be keen to join the Red Devils after just 18 months on Tyneside.

Reports have claimed an agreement could be reached as early as next week - despite the 52-year-old insisting he was “happy” at St James’ Park in December. Sir Jim Ratcliffe is spearheading a new era at Man United as minority shareholder and has headhunted Ashworth as his top target for director of football.

Speaking to talkSPORT, ex-Palace chief Jordan insisted it takes a “different mentality” to succeed at the Red Devils compared to Newcastle. He also suggested Ashworth’s job for the Magpies was made easier by the ecstasy following Mike Ashley’s exit.

“Newcastle tripped the light fantastically last season,” Jordan said. “They’re not having quite their way this season. Being a director of football, we are going to find out, unequivocally, whether Dan Ashworth is all that he is cracked up to be.

“It is one thing recruiting for Newcastle, and one thing recruiting for Brighton, it is an entirely different mentality and set of requirements, expectations and scrutiny, recruiting for Manchester United. Newcastle fans spent their first 18 months grateful for anybody who wasn’t Mike Ashley. Eddie Howe came in, they got themselves out of the problem they were in about buying some sensible players.”