According to The Times, Amanda Staveley has met with Man Utd co-owner Jim Ratcliffe in a bid to settle the Dan Ashworth saga.
They report that Newcastle and Man Utd have been locked in discussions for several weeks but those talks have reached a stalemate, leading Ratcliffe to meet with Staveley in an attempt to find a resolution.
Ashworth – who has already accepted an approach to become the Red Devils’ new sporting director – will be on gardening leave for 18 months unless an agreement is reached and it’s believed we’ve been holding out for a compensation package worth about £15 million.
Speaking to the media in Manchester back in February, Ratcliffe called it a “completely stupid” situation and a “bit silly” that Ashworth could be stuck on leave until the end of 2025 if a settlement couldn’t be agreed.
“Ultimately, you can’t really criticise Dan for looking at maybe the most coveted job in football as a sporting director – particularly with the challenge at Manchester United. What doesn’t make sense is for Dan Ashworth to be sat doing nothing for 18 months. That’s completely stupid.”
“It’s a bit silly, personally. I wont get dragged into that. What I do think is completely absurd is suggesting a man who is really good at his job sits in his garden for one and a half years.”
🔺 EXCLUSIVE: Sir Jim Ratcliffe has held face-to-face talks with the Newcastle United co-owner Amanda Staveley in a bid to reach agreement on Dan Ashworth’s move to Manchester United
Read the full story ⬇️ | ✍️ @Lawton_Times https://t.co/1tMepHSLbL
— Times Sport (@TimesSport) April 11, 2024
