Manchester United have reportedly stepped up their efforts to sign Dan Ashworth from Newcastle United. The 53-year-old, who only joined the Magpies from Brighton in May 2022, has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford for a while now as Sir Jim Ratcliffe looks to bolster the Red Devils' boardroom.

The British billionaire has made tremendous progress behind the scenes at Manchester United since acquiring stakes in the club, forking out millions on some fresh faces. The likes of Sir David Brailsford, Jean-Claude Blanc and Omar Berrada, among others too, have been brought in by Ratcliffe.

With the summer transfer window just around the corner, Ashworth emerged as Ratcliffe's primary target for a sporting director. However, the INEOS chief's plan to lure him from Tyneside hasn't quite gone to plan with Newcastle demanding a PS15million compensation package in return for his signature, according to The Times.

The two Premier League clubs have been in a stalemate over Ashworth, who was put on 18 months of gardening leave. Now, in a bid to reach an agreement, The Times claims that Ratcliffe has held face-to-face talks with Amanda Staveley.

In February, Paul Merson warned Ashworth that he may struggle to enjoy as much success at Old Trafford as he has done at St James' Park. Speaking on Soccer Saturday, the Arsenal legend said: "This is what he is going to be up against, exactly what you said, which one of them is a Man United player.

"That's the problem, Man United keep on going out and buying superstars. [Tino] Livramento could play for Man United, why couldn't he? He gets up and down.

"[Anthony] Gordon is a major threat on the counter-attack and does better than a lot of players for them. The lad who has just been banned (Sandro Tonali) is a good player, a really good midfielder.

"[Sven] Botman is a top-draw centre-half and could easily play for Man United," added Merson. "They could all play for Man United but people go: 'Oh I wouldn't buy him, he's from Lille. I won't buy him, he's from Everton, how can we be buying someone from Everton, we're Man United.

"They have got to start somewhere and they have got to have trust in someone to come in and do this because there are lots of players at Man United who they miss out on but could easily get because they (think they're) Man United and have got to go big."

For now, it remains to be seen whether or not Manchester United can get their hands on Ashworth before the summer transfer window opens. Until then, Newcastle will be without a sporting director themselves.