Dan Ashworth has been urged to axe four players if he is confirmed as the new Manchester United sporting director.
The Newcastle chief is reportedly in talks about a move to Old Trafford and an agreement could be reached by next week.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is keen to make more appointments at United after his investment into the club was ratified by the FA.
He has already brought in a new CEO, with Omar Berrada to leave Manchester City and join the Red Devils at the end of the season.
Man Utd news: Dan Ashworth has been urged to sell four players if he becomes sporting director
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A sporting director is now on the agenda and Ashworth is the top target for United following the success he has achieved at Newcastle and formerly Brighton.
The former FA technical director has earned a reputation for being successful in the transfer market, an area United have struggled in for a decade.
The Daily Mail says Ashworth is viewed as the 'best in the business' by Ratcliffe and an agreement could be reached in the coming days.
Following the news, former England international and United fan Lianne Sanderson has given her verdict on players who should be sold in the summer.
Marcus Rashford has had a difficult season on and off the pitch and Sanderson would accept an offer of £80million if it arrived.
She said on talkSPORT: "Yeah. Why? Because of a lack of consistency.
"Is he really going to get you double digits every season? I love Rashford but football’s football and we want to win games.
"Are we going to win a league with Marcus Rashford leading the line? He isn’t staying at the club on the bench with his wages. £80m from PSG? I’d take it."
Injuries aside, Harry Maguire has enjoyed a good few months back in the United team of late.
But Sanderson would sell the England star too, adding: "No, I’m not keeping him.
"Fair play to him, he’s had a decent few games. I wouldn’t say he’s had a good season, let’s not get carried away.
"He was good the other day and had a good assist and it’s hard because I want to give my opinion on Harry Maguire and every time someone gives an opinion it seems like an attack, but it’s not an attack. I critique what I see. I’d sell."
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Man Utd news: Harry Maguire has had a good few months back in the United side
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Antony has arguably been one of Erik ten Hag's worst signings having joined from Ajax for £85m.
Sanderson is in no doubt that she would sell the Brazilian.
She said: "Do you really need me to say why? I don’t think anyone needs me to say.
"I liked Antony when he first because I thought let him do his showboating if he produces. I’m not from that same place where people say ‘don’t let players do that stuff’, let them be creative but he’s not that guy. He’s not that guy and he never will be."
The fourth player Sanderson would ditch is Jadon Sancho, who is currently out on loan at Borussia Dortmund.
Man Utd news: Jadon Sancho is on loan at Borussia Dortmund after falling out with Erik ten Hag
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Sancho fell out with Ten Hag earlier this season but still has two years remaining on his contract.
Asked if Sancho has a future at United, Sanderson said: "I don’t think so, do you? He hasn’t apologised to Erik ten Hag, has he?
"Look at what happened with Rashford. He made his mistake and clearly had that conversation with Ten Hag.
"Whether fans agree that he got into the next squad or not, he apologised and they moved on.
"I don’t necessarily think that Jadon Sancho needs to apologise because we don’t know what’s happened behind the scenes but at this point I just don’t see a way back for him at Manchester United."
