Dan Ashworth is set to make his first signing from Chelsea when he takes over as sporting director at Manchester United, according to a new report.

Mail Sport understands 52-year-old Ashworth has an informal agreement with Man United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos, but he is now waiting for an official approach. 

The club must also agree a compensation package with Ashworth’s current employers Newcastle United. 

The Sun report that Man United are circling analyst Kyle Macaulay, who joined Chelsea with Graham Potter, and remains with the Blues despite last year’s axing of the former Swansea and Brighton manager.

Dan Ashworth is set to make a signing from Chelsea when he joins up with Manchester United 

Kyle Macaulay (circled) was part of the team that followed Graham Potter from Brighton

Six members of staff followed Potter from Brighton Chelsea in 2022, including recruitment analyst Macaulay, director of global talent and transfers Paul Winstanley, first-team coaches Billy Reid, Bjorn Hamberg and Bruno Saltor and goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts.

Man United remain interested in Ipswich technical director Sam Williams, according to The Sun, who will be tasked with finding emerging talent to bring to the Red Devils under the new reign spearheaded by Ratcliffe. 

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has expressed concerns that Ashworth’s knowledge of Newcastle’s inner workings, finances and summer targets has left the club in a vulnerable position. 

Howe has inferred that he wants Ashworth out the door sooner rather than later.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe wants a solution on Ashworth’s future as quickly as possible

Manchester United legend Gary Neville has called his former club ‘naive’ after years of operating without a sporting director.

Neville said: ‘Manchester United haven’t had a sporting director for the last 10 years, so they’ve been so naive at that level. 

‘I imagine when they’ve been dealing with agents, if United called you, you knew you were going to get another £20-30million because they were naive and didn’t have a relationship with agents.’