Manchester United set to make more appointments 'quickly' after Dan Ashworth with agreement close

But he's now on the verge of moving to United and becoming the second big appointment of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era.

Ratcliffe has purchased a 25 per cent stake in the club and is eager to bring back the glory days, with the Red Devils toiling ever since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson back in 2013.

According to the Daily Mail, United are set to reach an agreement over Ashworth as early as next week.

A 'swift conclusion is the preference of all parties' with Newcastle resigned to losing the 52-year-old.

Ratcliffe is said to view Ashworth as the 'best in the business', with the sporting director set to focus on recruitment.

United have wasted millions since Ferguson's departure, landing duds such as Angel Di Maria, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Paul Pogba.

Ashworth, according to report, hasn't received as much control as he'd want in his current role at Newcastle.

He has apparently been 'lured' by the project on offer at United and, following talks with Sir Dave Brailsford, believes now is the right time to move on.

United aren't expected to stop at Ashworth, however.

The report says other appointments 'are expected fo follow quickly' with the Red Devils eager to press ahead with plans for the summer transfer window.

Targets are already being identified, regardless of whether or not the club are able to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Michael Olise has been linked and Ratcliffe, along with Brailsford, wants to re-introduce a 'British soul' into the club.

Should Ashworth leave Newcastle as expected, the Magpies are apparently interested in Michael Edwards.

Edwards left Liverpool in June 2022 following a successful stint at Anfield.

However, after returning to the sports industry following the launch of an advisory firm, he's now in Newcastle's sights.

Bournemouth technical director Richard Hughes may come under consideration, too.

Hughes previously worked with Newcastle boss Eddie Howe at the Vitality Stadium and, with the pair having a close relationship, a reunion could be on the cards.

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News of United being close to landing Ashworth comes after the club poached Omar Berrada from Manchester City last month.

Berrada is crossing the divide after playing a key role in the rise of Pep Guardiola's side.

And Gary Neville reacted to that development by praising United, saying: "It's a big job to be CEO of Man Utd, when you think of all the things he has to go at. But there are also some pretty easy wins straight away.

"Communication is really important, to have that voice that the club haven't had for the last 10 years. He can form part of a new management structure that can build trust with the fans, us and everybody that watches the club.

"They've not had someone who has operated in football for a long time and that's really important. But it's a big task and all eyes are going to be on him.

"He's obviously had a brilliant, amazing grounding at Man City and Barcelona, two of the most successful clubs of the last 15 years.

"It looks like Man Utd are making more sound decisions and are on the right track, and that can only be a positive. Ratcliffe was not going to come in and not disrupt things. The disruption has started pretty quickly.

"It was obvious. They hadn't got a CEO because Richard Arnold stepped down. They haven't got a sporting director and they haven't got a notable head of recruitment.

"Those are three roles where owners are most exposed, with the money that gets spent on players, the revenues that get driven.

"It's part of what I would imagine is a triangle of appointments I'd expect to see in the next few months."