Man Utd target Dan Ashworth is 'ready to upset' Chelsea after identifying first target

Dan Ashworth has targeted his first signing at Manchester United which will involve a so-called 'raid' on Premier League rivals Chelsea, according to reports.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has acquired a minority share of 25 per cent in United, is looking to strengthen the club's recruitment department, with Ashworth being considered a main target.

The 52-year-old has established successful recruitment departments at both Newcastle United and Brighton – something that has clearly impressed shareholder Ratcliffe and his team.

And West Brom's former technical director is already making plans to build a support team at Old Trafford.

Ashworth wants to work alongside an experienced head of recruitment, according to The Sun, who suggest he will try and recruit Chelsea's chief analyst Kyle Macaulay.

Ashworth previously worked with Macaulay during his time at Brighton, where they worked together to bring in the likes of Evan Ferguson, Kaoru Mitoma and Moises Caicedo.

Macaulay followed Graham Potter to Stamford Bridge when he left Brighton for Chelsea but his stay in West London could be on its final legs as United look to rebuild.

As well as the previously mentioned, Ipswich Town technical director Sam Williams is also on United’s recruitment team wishlist, according to the report.

In terms of a deal to bring Ashworth to Old Trafford, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that United will “push again next week to get a deal done".

He added: "Ashworth has already accepted, United will now insist in negotiations with Newcastle to agree on compensation. Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox, both on INEOS list for United."

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Gary Neville, meanwhile, thinks the incoming Ashworth will investigate why Declan Rice turned down a move to Old Trafford in the summer before joining Arsenal.

Speaking on the latest episode of Stick to Football – brought to you by Sky Bet – he said: "Do you know what I think he will do [Dan Ashworth]? He will look back at analysis because he is that type of guy, he’ll definitely look at who has signed off on the players that have been signed over the past two or three years.

"Because they’ll be reports there, they’ll be names against who has signed off on players – he’ll definitely do all of that.

"He’ll definitely look at things like the players they missed out on, and what was said about those players.

"Say, Luis Díaz goes to Liverpool, or Declan Rice goes to Arsenal, they’ll look at what they were we saying about Declan Rice, because that historically was a Manchester player, Declan Rice.

"The best player in England, who was at another club like West Ham, United would sign that player.

"To sort of access the staff that are in there now. He’ll be looking at everything in detail, he is so detailed.

"I do think there will be change – whether that brings success or not, but there will be change in terms of everything that goes on.

"And it’s needed, they’ve operated for 10 years without a Sporting Director – with a manager and Ed Woodward, who is predominantly banker and financier."