Manchester United plot next key appointment from Dan Ashworth wishlist

General view of Old Trafford ahead of Manchester United vs West Ham in February 2024.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Manchester United reportedly have their first bit of recruitment under incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth in a move that would reunite him with one of his most trusted lieutenants.

That’s according to The Sun, who report that United will look to make an approach to Chelsea’s chief analyst, Kyle Macauley.

Ashworth knows Macauley well from the time the pair spent together at Brighton and Hove Albion, where their excellent work in the transfer market helped establish the Seagulls as a top-half Premier League side.

That earned both men moves to bigger clubs, with Ashworth departing for Newcastle United in 2022 and Macauley joining Chelsea later that year alongside manager Graham Potter.

Ashworth looks set to make the move down from the north east to Old Trafford as the club try to revive their fortunes under new 25% owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, whose partial takeover of the club was completed earlier this week.

The Sun add that Ipswich Town technical director Sam Williams is also on United’s wishlist as part of a new-look recruitment team that would be overseen by Ashworth should he make the move.

Newly-promoted Ipswich are enjoying an unexpectedly excellent season in the Championship this season.

They currently sit in fourth place, just three points off the automatic promotion places with a game in hand, which they will contest at home to rock-bottom Rotherham United.

More Manchester United stories

Jamie Carragher says United would be making a "great appointment" if they were to succeed in poaching Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth.

Meanwhile, Tel isn't the only Bayern player being linked with a switch to Old Trafford: Harry Kane has been tipped for a sensational exit.

And the Red Devils could swoop for a £103m European starlet this summer.

Steven Chicken

Steven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication, WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.

Read more
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Manchester United mistake revealed to have cost club millions
Manchester United's minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is planning to axe another 100 jobs
Manchester United to hire Paris Saint-Germain man in bid to fix chaos behind the scenes: report
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim does not have time to waste
Manchester United closing in on signing 'the next Vinicius Jr': report
Bernardo Silva of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Manchester United 'approve' transfer for Bernardo Silva's self-anointed heir: report
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim does not have time to waste
Marcus Rashford to leave, with a replacement for Mason Mount to arrive: Manchester United's dream transfer window
FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF IMAGES - Image numbers 2182484184, 2187345604) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City (L) and Ruben Amorim, Head Coach of Manchester United. Manchester City and Manchester United meet in a Premier League match on December 15,2024 at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 02: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, looks on prior to the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City FC at Vitality Stadium on November 02, 2024 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Ruben Amorim, Head Coach of Manchester United, looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Manchester United and FK Bodo/Glimt at Old Trafford on November 28, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Manchester United to move for Manchester City academy graduate as Ruben Amorim loses faith: report
Latest in Stories
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: manager Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur FC and Micky van de Venand Cristian Romero during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Tottenham star Cristian Romero 'willing to do everything' to LEAVE: report
Latest in News
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report