Dan Ashworth says Manchester United were ‘below standards’ under Erik ten Hag, outlines goals for new season
Published 22/07/2024 at 15:24 GMT+1
In his first message to fans since becoming Manchester United's new sporting director, Dan Ashworth said he hopes to help the club return to "being among the best on the pitch". Ashworth admitted that Erik ten Hag's side were not up to standards last season, but he is confident the Dutch manager is the right man for the job and is capable of guiding United to better results.
Savinho promises 'joyful football’ after signing for Man City
Video credit: SNTV
Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth has outlined his vision for the club ahead of the new Premier League season.
Ashworth was officially announced as United’s sporting director earlier this month following a two-year spell in the same role at Newcastle United.
It was one of many changes at Old Trafford including the appointments of Omar Berrada as chief executive and Jason Wilcox as technical director following the arrival of Ineos chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who acquired a minority stake in United and took over football operations.
In his first message to fans since joining the club, Ashworth said he hopes to help United return to “being among the best on the pitch”.
“This remains one of the biggest football clubs in the world, but that is not our measure of success; the focus is on getting back to being among the best on the pitch,” he said in a column on the club’s website.
“It won’t happen overnight, but, together with Omar and his new leadership team, we will not rest until we have achieved it.”
Ashworth said one of his first decisions at United was to extend Erik ten Hag’s contract until June 2026.
He praised the United manager as “one of Europe’s top coaches” but said last season - which saw the club finish eighth in the league and bow out of the UEFA Champions League at the group stage - fell below the “required standards”.
“Omar Berrada has started as chief executive, and Jason Wilcox as technical director, and I can assure you that we have lost no time in getting to work,” Ashworth said. “Our first big decision of the summer was to extend Erik ten Hag’s contract as men’s first-team manager to June 2026, reflecting our strong belief in him as one of Europe’s top coaches, and the partner we want to continue working with to get the team back to the levels expected.
“We are all clear that last season fell below the required standards in the Premier League and Champions League but, by winning the FA Cup in such impressive fashion, our players and staff showed what they are capable of when everyone pulls together and performs to their potential.
“Our collective challenge is to reach those levels much more consistently. It’s my job, together with Jason, to create the right support structures and environment around Erik, the staff and players to make that possible. Already, I can feel a strong sense of energy and determination around the group, as the players and staff return fresh from their breaks, including some exciting new additions to the squad, and to the coaching team.”
- ‘Rangnick was right’ - Ten Hag agrees with scathing assessment of Man Utd culture
- 'We were a team' - Man Utd beat Rangers as Sancho returns and Yoro impresses on debut
Ashworth also spoke about his goals for the women’s and youth teams, as well as the academy.
He said: “Delivering a successful women’s team and a thriving, productive academy are both key objectives of my job, and I have a strong background in both areas. Women’s football was an important part of my remit in past roles with Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion and the FA, and it will be the same at Manchester United. Women’s football is arguably the most exciting area of growth in the global game, and we want to be part of that.
“Last season’s FA Cup win was a fantastic landmark as our first major women’s trophy, and now we want to build on that with Marc [Skinner, coach] his staff and the players. Youth development has also been a huge part of my career and I see it as a crucial element of success for any football club – but especially for Manchester United where homegrown players have such a rich history."
Ashworth said United will have to “adapt” to a new training environment this season as work begins on a £50 million redevelopment of the Carrington training ground.
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer.
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement