Axed Manchester United chief Dan Ashworth ‘is added to Arsenal’s list to be their new sporting director’ after Sir Jim Ratcliffe gave him the boot

Arsenal are reportedly considering a move for Dan Ashworth following his shock exit from Manchester United.

Ashworth’s five-month stay at Old Trafford was brought to an end on Sunday after a series of disagreements with senior figures led to him being axed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

But he could be set for another high-profile job, with Arsenal now viewing him as a contender to become their new sporting director, according to ESPN.

Ashworth has been added to Arsenal’s shortlist of contenders, with managing director Richard Garlick carrying out the appointment process.

Ashworth and Garlick previously worked together at West Bromwich Albion before the former left to join the FA. 

The Gunners are currently looking to replace Edu after the Brazilian announced he was leaving the club last month.

Edu, who was part of Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ team as a player, rejoined the club in 2019 and worked closely with Mikel Arteta to turn the club into title contenders once again.

But he is now expected to front Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis’ multi-club project, which would see him oversee matters at Forest, Olympiacos and Rio Ave.

Edu’s exit was unexpected, and Arsenal are now searching for his successor, with Ashworth in the mix despite his ill-fated spell at United.

Ashworth only started work with the Red Devils in July after serving a period of gardening leave at Newcastle while they agreed a compensation package with United.

However, a clash of personalities behind the scenes meant that Ashworth’s time at United was shortlived.

It is understood that part-owner Ratcliffe was left ‘infuriated’ by Ashworth’s claim that he had nothing to do with Erik ten Hag staying at the club and being handed a new contract in the summer.

Ten Hag was subsequently sacked in October after a disastrous start to the season, and United moved quickly to replace him with Ruben Amorim.

However, there was no public comment from Ashworth upon Amorim’s appointment, amid reports that he would have preferred a homegrown manager such as former England boss Gareth Southgate.

United made the decision to cut their losses over the weekend, with the shock announcement coming just hours after their 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday night.

The sorry chapter in Ashworth’s career does not appear to have harmed his career prospects, with Arsenal poised to make a potential move for his services.

They seem to be convinced that he remains one of the best in the business, which is also what Ratcliffe claimed when he was first looking to hire Ashworth earlier this year.

‘Dan Ashworth is clearly one of the top sporting directors in the world,’ he said in February. ‘I have no doubt he is a very capable person. He is interested in Manchester United because it’s the biggest challenge at the biggest club in the world. 

‘It would be different at City because you’re maintaining a level. Here it’s a significant rebuilding job. He would be a very good addition.’