Why Man United Want Dan Ashworth So Badly

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's takeover of Manchester United looks to be complete, and he's already made moves towards his first signing at the club. But rather than a player, it looks likely to be Newcastle United's Sporting Director Dan Ashworth, the man credited with building both Brighton and England in recent years.
But why him? Adam Clery examines what it is Man United have identified that makes him so vital to their new project.
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[@ManUtdVen]

Hub is absolutely the right word. Also I wouldn't say every department at united is completely useless, just almost every department haha. If Garnacho and Mainoo and the madness of what the U-18s are done are any indication, the academy seems to be the one exception.

[@nickraoyj]

Yup, Nick Cox is doing a damn good job there based on what I've been reading.

[@consistentpogba237]

garnacho didnt even come through the ranks lol

[@Hihihii7ii]

U are such a casual fan, these academy performances don't mean anything utd used to do every year before 2012, how many world class madness players came ???

[@itsmeprasad1987]

Talent was always there but the structure was never

[@markwhittick3002]

😮

[@michaelglynn7010]

Not a United fan but they’ve needed a good director of football for a long long time

[@leemcd88888]

Since David gill every time anyone ever says united spend money but look who spends it ex bankers like Woodward and Arnold

[@HallGreenProductionz]

Didn’t know De zerbi could speak English this well

[@nathangarfitt9661]

I’ll be honest I wasn’t at all wanting ratcliffe to take over I wanted Qatar but I’m now seeing that he really is the right man for the job Its really encouraging watching him be direct get what he wants no messing

[@leechefski]

No messing? He's courted Dan Ashworth publicly for months, but when it comes to the crunch, Jim Shady won't pony up the contractual release fee, so the bloke he allegedly wants so badly will rot on his arse for two years. That's a prime example of how NOT to do business. He's never going to win a dick-swinging contest with the Saudis. Also, he thinks the UK taxpayer should pony up to rebuild Old Trafford, so he doesn't have to dip into the ill-gotten gains that he's squirelled away in the tax-dodgers paradise known as Monaco. The bloke is a clown and a chancer with delusions of grandeur: the Mike Ashley of Manchester.

[@kishennandha9127]

Yeah look niece then there fans hate hi

[@JohnWickin]

2 Vids in a day. Is this my Valentines gift ☺️

[@user-jg6su8hi4o]

Same thing on my mind 😂

[@samanthaurwin4377]

12 million and you can have him just like that Lingard loan fee😂

[@Mufcw1999]

@@samanthaurwin4377 we’ll get him anyway for whatever the contract is worth

[@larry6400]

This was crisp - first time ever watching this channel and I’m hooked 👌

[@Finn_Lawless]

The press/Pressing - I don't consider myself a football nerd but have been well aware of the term and the concepts since I was a kid playing for clubs' youth teams in the late '80s/early '90s. I thought it was standard knowledge for players above kick-about level or viewers who had any idea of strategy and tactics. It's true that the word gets thrown about more in recent years, but I felt like I was going a bit mad when I heard Adam say that bit.

[@adamstannard7934]

I don't get it... pressing has always been part of the game it's just football hipsters being hipster.

[@Finn_Lawless]

@@adamstannard7934 I thought as much but I gave Mr. Cleary more credit than to lump him in with that ilk. Thanks for the reassurance.

[@wr2899]

Pressing/closing down has been a term used for decades but “the press” as an organised phase of play is something that has only surfaced to the mainstream this past few years.

[@Finn_Lawless]

@@wr2899 I'd say it's always existed as an organised phase of play but previously it was more sporadic and situational. Teams' employment of it wasn't as defined and poor communication could make it hazardous. In recent years it's become more intense and concentrated. It's ingrained into players to immediately recognise triggers and execution of it is much more collectively instinctive. But yeah, it has developed so much that it's become more of a talking point when we discuss how any given team will play. Especially for football nerds and hipsters.

[@kattokurrency]

I’m impressed how you explain to our Red Devils. This is too good for us both you and what are happening inside our structure. Congrats🎉

[@ozzyfernandez8228]

Pressing may not have been the best example to use, but I get the concept. Pressing was first mentioned to me in La Liga like 10 years ago and Geggen Press is even older than that.

[@tkrs675]

Yea exactly. I first remember ‘press’ when Klopp was in charge of Dortmund 15 years ago so definitely not the best example to give…

[@adamstannard7934]

United pressed under fergie, never called it pressing tho... just always been a part of the game no team is static out of possession

[@hr180292]

You're right! He talks so much shit its unbelievable

[@virupakshawalla5734]

Barcelona were doing it under Alfons Gondaf in the 1930s

[@1574john]

He’s not responsible for any of Newcastles best signings in the last 18 months in fact arguably his only “big signing” was Sandro Tonali.

[@GameOf2HalvesPod]

This could be looked back at as the turning point for Man Utd... Great Video!

[@eos2315]

“Genpres” (danish gegen-press) was the first thing we were taught at 7 years old or something in 2007 - Pep’s Barca was also known for two things, tiki-taka and winning the ball back straight after losing it. - Ashworth is definitely great at his job, but I don’t think it took a great visionary to think of pressing in 2012

[@dddgtsd]

yeah I don't think Ashworth would claim to be a pioneer by any means, I think his aim was just to bring about a philosophy to the England set up, key principles that would be echoed through all the youth levels and women football. He did seem to do a good job in that.

[@petemills5704]

Medical , academy and women’s team also part of the wheel. Excellent vid…thx. As a Brighton fan he was excellent. They could lose him because they had a successor plus their recruitment intelligence doesn’t just come from their 2000 scouts but Starlizard Tony Blooms betting firm that they pay £3m a season to for their analytical recruitment work identifying those that other clubs dream about 👍

[@southernstyleful]

Always on point 👌🏾

[@tedvickers1005]

first heard about "pressing" when Pep was managing Barcelona, I think. Certainly when Klopp was managing Dortmund ("Gegenpress")

[@chadb1806]

Former united manager ragnick was the main orchestrator of the gengen press if you didn't know . Klopp evolved that from him

[@tilersun]

Nice one mate, good explanation! 👍

[@VitalMGermaine]

outstanding break down... cheers

[@Lpurchase]

'Press' was definitely around when Pep was at Barca - he introduced it as part of Tiki-Taka. When they lost possession, the closest couple of players would spend up to 3 or 4 seconds pressing the opponent to try to get the ball back. If they never got it back, they'd slot back into position and look to contain. But it was very effective. Pretty sure I read that either in a book about that Barca team, or in an article. It was unlike anything I'd seen before and contributed to the previously unforeseen possession levels that team enjoyed. In summary, pressing has been around for nearly 20 years, as far as I'm aware.

[@Alp-xe6ty]

Yeah I don't think he meant it was only invented recently or the coin was termed by Dan but that it wasn't a commonly discussed thing. And he's right. It will have been in the game at a coaching level etc but it only recently became 'popularised' as a term and spoken about by fans as if they're really familiar with it in the last sort of 5 or so years. Low block was another one. Think Gary Neville said it a few times and within a few months loads of fans were throwing it in like they've always chatted about it 😂. Transitions are another one. Only heard fans mention this in the last few years really and again, it will be because Carragher or Klopp or someone mentioned it and it started to become popular.

[@saadie14]

No. Pep didn't invent pressing, pressing is around since the concept of total football where striker is the first defender of the team.

[@anmol3457]

For the english, until an Englishman does it, it doesn't exist.

[@benedictjajo]

Pressing has been there for ages, and certainly more than 20 years. Ralf Ragnick is regarded as the father of gegenpressing and he was managing teams before Pep even started playing football. Everything Pep did is the exact copy of what Cryuff did for Ajax and Barcelona. To put it simply, Pep refined what Cryuff created.

[@geordieambassador8902]

​@anmol3457 What a racist comment. He simply points out Ashworth using the term before it was popular you clown.

[@pemtax557]

Excellent overview of Dan Ashworth, his resume and what he brings to the club. I knew nothing about him other than I was familiar with his name. After researching everything I could find on him in the print and video media, I'm just as excited as you are with his potential impact on the Red part of Manchester. If he is given a proper amount of freedom to do what he believes is necessary, we may see a badly needed renaissance at the club.

[@DiscoStu1970]

McCafé on your day off….how tragic!

[@hr180292]

This guy is the definition of tragic

[@garyclark3843]

This is also why, if they're smart, Newcastle won't let him out of contract without a MASSIVE fee. I'm thinking at least double what it cost them to get him.

[@beeftestosterone5519]

So around 7 mil

[@leofernandes6]

Thanks a lot for bringing clarity as to why United want Dan and what he will bring to United.

[@paulmathews4459]

Great explanation buddy 👊🏻💪🏻👍🏻

[@marcusstephenson9120]

You've made me feel better about Ashworth, great show

[@SeriousBartYT]

If I was Ashworth I would sign the following players ASAP : Alisson, Van Dijk, Konate, Trent, Tsimikas, Endo, Szobo, Jones, Salah, Diaz, Gakpo, Hendo, and Milner.

[@ThreeRunHomer]

“Press” has been a term used in basketball for at least 50 years (“the full court press”). It’s probably been used in football for just as long.

[@emmanuelonyono4517]

As You explained, I think we should get him

[@RandomVideosFirst]

Sam Jewell at Brighton is the main man and was responsible for identifying all those signings btw with his talent ID Not Ashworth, he negotiated the prices and seems to be taking all the credit .

[@amobimichael3021]

Ok what about Newcastle Besides this video says he’s not the one that signed players but the one that made those who did feel comfortable doing it, so basically you’re saying exactly the same thing as the video is trying to say

[@kendo5862]

4:52 Yup, it’s more a directorial role, and not hands-on with signings

[@Skiiman24]

@@kendo5862that’s the whole idea of “director of football”😂😂

[@jayZander]

Sam Jewell could well be coming to Man Utd as well, Ashworth knows his value.

[@Th3L0wK1]

@@jayZanderhe will definitely be a priority if the ashworth deal is confirmed, some journalists are already linking Sam Jewell with Utd.

[@barnesmata2688]

Great video.

[@smokealotofpotamous1864]

I feel like we've taken too much responsibility away from managers.

[@mcw1393]

Sir Jim Ratcliffe - Co-Owner, Sir Dave Brailsford - Director, Jean Claude Blanc - Director, Omar Berrada - CEO, Dan Ashworth - Sporting Director, James Wilcox - Sporting Director. The future is bright. All we need now extra Chief Scout and Academy Director. We'll get there. I don't mind United not signing any players next season and give academy players more exposure. Selling Rashford, Casemiro, Maguire and even Bruno can be a start of something entirely new with different direction.

[@thebizness5596]

I like the fact that we’re going and getting the best in class, regardless of where they are. This is how Man Utd should be ran and it’s even more annoying that the Glazers could’ve but didn’t do this.

[@euanwoolford2597]

As a Manchester United fan I’m so excited if the club gets Dan ashworth

[@dvo66]

still not finalized. Huge release clause on newcastle side

[@anmol3457]

​@@dvo66it looks more and more like a question of 'when and for how much' rather than if.

[@benedictjajo]

​@@dvo66just because United doesn't have oil money doesn't mean they are poorer.

[@martinswift536]

@@benedictjajo But you did want oil money before Ratcliffe though didn't you? You wanted oil money to buy your club, hypocrite.

[@ChanAnthony62]

After transition from successful twin leaders by SAFand Gill, then into the messy, arbitrarily no structure Glaza time, finally a structured management which from football and most importantly really know football (CEO, SD….) is started building👏

[@GeneralMilosivic-db9io]

Fair assessment of United from an opposition fan.

[@khaljhay876]

For your question at 0:46, Who is the lady beside Mr Ashworth at 0:37? That's my question, Adam.

[@grassrootsfootball225]

anthony gordons gf

[@Th3d0n77]

The middle or centre of the wheel is the hub, to which all the ‘departments’ are connected as in your diagram. You’re welcome 😁

[@andrewrobertthompson473]

The centre of a wheel is called a HUB

[@tomthetit2419]

I’m curious to know how much of an effect this will have to Newcastle, also seeing as your fan too.

[@stevenwest0]

On Dans CV it has a massive section for. He enjoys plants and gardening in his spare time

[@anthonysilva234]

People don’t realize how big this would actually be. A whole new structure for United and with the best guy to do it

[@SirAmnesia]

could*. He has no proven track record of buying big names or spending big apart from tonali, nothing compared to what united will want. hes ideal for building a club but united already have that and just need to be taken to the next level. i dont think hes that

[@christianngouin-claih3869]

We don't need big names we need skilled and hungry players

[@United_Wings]

Nice

[@gwinyaimandimika7983]

Mayb his best work is behind him. The rate of change is top

[@RandyMarshSP]

Weve seen how important directors are for teams success, Ajax tanked after Overmaars got the boot for sexual harassment, Barca tanked under Laporte, Chelsea went from smart signings to paying 120m for players without much experience and still being out of European contention. When Mitchell left Southampton they got relegated a few seasons later

[@baggierols73]

Hi Adam, fancy seeing you here, after randomly clicking on the Link. Take it you've moved from TrekCulture to set up here? Soz if this has already been mentioned a million times lol

[@deks440]

You can use the word epicentre to describe middle of wheel

[@wilseph1]

Because they had Ed Woodward, Richard Arnold and John Murtough.

[@hassamneetoo956]

These probably have never kicked a ball in their life yet were dealing with the football aspect. Useless

[@WayofWyrd]

The only position that is being run by someone capable is the manager’s EtH imo. I really think he needs to be kept on as Manager even if we don’t get top 4. Considering what he’s been working with, and I don’t mean the players. Though quite a few of them are not good enough to be in the United shirt or squad let alone team!!!!!

[@aidanmagill6769]

So there'll still be a DoF to appoint should this go through?

[@benrobinson4470]

paul mitchell looks likely

[@aryanpareek770]

Paul Mitchell and Sam Jewell (brighton's head of recruitment) are the most likely ones.

[@dddgtsd]

I think Sporting Director is very similar to Director of Football to be honest, doubt they'll have both.

[@leowatkins1518]

cant understate his influence at a west brom side that finished in the top half of the premier league a decade ago. on such a limited budget he cherry picked some incredible signings for tiny amounts of money, as well as developing an incredible academy. the man didnt just start at brighton

[@sarakeem.213]

As a united fan you’ve made it so easy for me to understand who this guy is and I want him now now at my great club asap 😂 Thanks a million🤝🏼

[@glenjamieson2524]

Newcastle getting 20 million for a sporting director: *”All of the lights” starts playing* Dan Ashworth does it again!

[@geordiedog1749]

He’s a big fan of the ‘leave after 18 months before your mistakes catch up with you’. Football in the U.K. was sooo bad structurally and strategically and, indeed, tactically that it didn’t really need someone with super powers to fix it. It just needed a modern grown up. I highlighted most of the problems and if I did it then it must have been bleedin’ obvious. I mean, what set up would get in manager after manager - some of them proven quality - and when it didn’t work then keep blaming the managers? Ashworth is clearly experienced and knows the game but I really don’t think he’s as unique an asset anymore. There’s plenty of modern grown ups now in the game (and yes, they are following Haworth’s model) to do just as good a job. I’d still rather he stayed at the Toon, though.

[@TheDefJamm]

They obviously don't want him that badly, otherwise they'd pay up and give Newcastle the money they want.

[@plopplop1984]

why wud utd pay 20m for him? lol that’s ridiculous demand… newcastle poached him same way… 5m max

[@ThreeRunHomer]

Us: “It’s a hub.” Him: “A hub? No, that’s not right.” Us: “Oh, FFS.”

[@samhallows3498]

I teally hope he stays with the Toon but sadly it sounds like this will happen even if its not yet a done deal sounds like a matter of when not if and that when feels like anytime now.

[@Quazzi]

Pretty sure we’ve finished above Liverpool as many times as below them in the last 5 years mate, came 2nd twice and 3rd twice

[@HaiLeQuang]

If this comes true then we got both Sir Dave Brailsford & Dan Ashworth, both revived & upgraded 2 National sports of England. This can't be true, right?

[@RishiSharma-sf6eu]

what do u think abt the idea of arsenal signing wirtz to upgrade on trossard

[@SirAmnesia]

dont think hes linked with arsenal

[@agharries]

Does seem like a bit of a coincidence that the England youth teams started to win things when they have a golden generation of naturally talented footballers.

[@rayrayray5911]

7:50 2012 is 8 years ago 😭😭😭😭😭

[@ronaldwood9247]

Man Yoo touting for Ashworth from the Toon when we got him from Brighton reminds me of when you go with a married woman and she leaves her hubby for you and then someone else comes along she leaves you for him. Canny analogy if he gans to Newton Heath that is.

[@Struggsy]

Here’s another analogy for you… One of (if not) the biggest club in the world finally looks like it could be realistically making a resurgence with a project of aiming to get back to the top of European football? Almost any sporting director anywhere is going to jump at the chance. Imagine that on your CV? You played a part in taking United back to the top?

[@romaman892002]

Zidane Iqbal looks like a young Theo Walcott

[@agin1519]

They already chose away shirts that look Newcastle shirts to make him feel happy…

[@RedDevilDog1207]

I only know he has worlds wealthiest club at 7th...behind United in one of their worst years ever. And United Academy is already top tier, and United won't become a selling club like Brighton. Not seeing it but glad he's experienced.

[@p4uli016]

Went to sixth form with this kid. Small world

[@rocketiain84]

Not fussed every club needs an alreet DOF but Brighton hardly fell to bits when he left ( they ironicall signed a long term nufc target after he left them did they not ?? ). Hes signed next to no kids that have impacted the first team squad and was part of the messed up combined 80m Hall and Tonali deals If man utd want to pay a ton of cash for him Im not going to cry. Liverpool had a famous DOF once its hardly like liverpool have flopped and not signed any good players since he left is it. Its an important position every club needs one, but where a few DOF in the game have too much name in the public for what many others probably do just as well at other clubs, as if there the Messis of DOF... most people wont even know the name of the directors of football who clubs won the last 10 CL trophies

[@Jack-Peters99]

For someone who is supposedly 'not fussed' you clearly are...

[@rocketiain84]

@@Jack-Peters99 nah not at all man if he goes he goes, its not like the sun shines out the guys backside. Hes done some good stuff probaby behind the scenes Howe likes him but hes not some infalable god like character is he. Which is my entire point about DOF, name everyones DOF in the league without googling I doubt anyone can. Just because Ashworth had a reputation doesn make him the be all and and end all of DOF. Nufc needed him when he came in just like man utd do, but either way both just needed any half decent DOF in place it seems which is a more damning indictment of the previous management structure at both clubs

[@dddgtsd]

Toon fan here and whilst I'm not losing sleep over him going, he was only here 18 months, hard for us fans to see what changes he made. He doesn't just deal with recruitment but it did seem the club was well run with him overseeing everything. Lewis Hall has been a bit of a dodgy one but Livramento and Gordon have came in, Minteh looks like one for the future and we recently picked up some interesting academy products Harrison from City and the Irish lad from Milan. I'm not sure he's had enough time to really make his mark and it's a bit annoying he's going but if we can get 5-10m it's better to let him go if he isn't committed.

[@charleswang7325]

Thought I was watching De Zerbi

[@scott8619]

Didn't Klopp make (gegen) pressing a big thing in his time at Dortmund? That was a few years before the England DNA presentation.

[@GeordieCorpse]

Are you going to say how tapping up other teams staff is illegal unless your a special 6

[@darthplagueis8886]

And if we believe David Ornstein, he really wants to come to United.

[@ludartpan]

Axle?

[@kevinwilliams1602]

I'm quite happy for him to go. What has he done for NUFC? Well F.A. in my opinion. Has he turned the team into winners....er, nope. Has he overseen great signings, no. Our best signings were made by the new owners-Bruno, Tripps, Burn, Pope, Woods, yes him, if he'd been kept we'd still have a striker that is fit, Targett?, and EH and his team. Under Ashworth we have Isak (Wilson mk.2) and Tonali (sitting out a ten month ban). Awesome eh?

[@virupakshawalla5734]

Doping coming to the EPL lol. Brailsford is a world expert in masking 😮

[@tonilando]

I knew, i knew this guy he used to run a wrestling show

[@Bleachguy2023]

brighton is a selling club newcastle are reshaping there future to win man utd need start from the ground up and have great youth coming through like garnacho mainoo and hojlund and many more i hope this works as a man utd fan

[@Biffo316]

Wait wait wait. I thought Clery worked for WhatCulture?

[@wedneskay]

His family is also closer to Manchester than Newcastle

[@Quazzi]

Yep, ‘We’re Man United’ still works

[@brobat7]

He’s done more harm than good at Newcastle (going into CL campaign with 2 injury-prone strikers) . Man U getting ripped off is funny though

[@oluwatosinogunjobi7388]

We also need a new manager, julian nagelsmann would be freein the summer. Young and progressive coach

[@captainfish6056]

As a Geordie I hope he does not go

[@havocss3375]

spindle ?

[@jamietrev]

Thanks Adam for an excellent video; I really hope utd can prise Mr Ashworth from Newcastle. The Red Devils have been a clusterfuck since Ferguson / Glazier’s tenure

[@Lualua25able]

I really hope Manchester Reds can’t prise Dan Ashworth from United.

[@rowdyreamz3293]

WHY ARE YOU NOT MENTIONING WHAT HE DID IN ATLANTA FIRST?!?!?!?! HELLOOOOOO

[@carn5haun343]

Is this the guy from WhatCulture WWE ?

[@Scottuz]

That would be the Hub??FFS

[@kerrywilkinsoon4031]

Manure have him. But pay over the top and don't get him for 12 months while he cuts his lawn. He bought tonali. Good knowledge. Lewis hall 36 million doesn't get a kick of the ball. Didn't have anything to do with botman. Isak or Bruno signings good luck as he will be away as soon as Barcelona or real Madrid come in 😂😂😂😂

[@aldospagnoli4477]

If their desperate desperate to get him in as you say then they should pay the 20 million.... In other words 'put up and shut up'...!!!

[@lilyoyo6633]

Get him to man utd asap

[@redordead4491]

What takeover?

[@dondamon4669]

When people talk about Brighton as a success you know it's rubbish

[@cameronnicholson1980]

As a toon fan, hes already got us some very good youngsters. Yes done his job let the man go.

[@j2248]

There's a h in psychology

[@drewsharratt564]

Tbf they dont seem to want him that badly 🤣

[@khazei123]

looks like navalny

[@grahamwickens8802]

only negative side to Ashworths Appointment is that he is tainted by that clown Southgate

[@user-vb9br3ck6v]

Man utd needs New owners. Anything else is a band-aid on a corpse. 🥂

[@gsampson97]

I don't see why he'd leave newcastle, are man united even a big draw anymore? When Newcastle want to become the best why would they let him go

[@Hazed_77]

They’ll probably triple his salary and he can be awful at his job there and won’t be sacked. Newcastle don’t have to let him go Manure fans and sky just expect it to happen lol

[@aryanpareek770]

10:23 he gave the most obvious reasons why

[@TyriqPike]

Yeah Man UTD is becoming a big draw again since INEOS got involved and them getting someone such as Omar Barrada as CEO is a big statement. Now people know the club is starting to get serious about football and performance.

[@keydams6334]

Why does it have to be him? Man utd creates so much news around these people....why can't you just sign someone else? Real Madrid are doing well Man city is doing well And they don't have this guy, why can't they find SOMEONE ELSE?!

[@redtimez4520]

Who do we find? ED WOODWARD?