Groundhog63 Posted December 10 Share Posted December 10 13 hours ago, GideonShandy said: It all started with such high hopes. This was Dan Ashworth's open letter to Manure fans from July 21. “This is one of my first opportunities to address Manchester United fans since joining the club as sporting director on 1 July, so I want to start by saying how delighted I am to be here. Although I grew up in Norfolk, I’ve always had a strong attachment with Manchester because my mum and dad were born in Middleton and my grandparents lived their whole lives there. When I visited as a boy, my dad would take me to games across Greater Manchester and I remember the thrill of my first visit to Old Trafford in the late 1970s, watching the likes of Lou Macari, Jimmy Nicholl and Arthur Albiston. I can’t claim to have been a partisan United fan – my dad enjoyed watching all the local teams – but I remember the special buzz that always seemed to surround games at Old Trafford, and it’s something I have experienced many times since during my career in football. So it’s going to be an incredibly proud moment entering the directors’ box on the home side for the first time when the Premier League season gets under way against Fulham on August 16. The close season is always a reset moment for every club, but the sense of renewal has been particularly strong at Manchester United this summer as our new leadership structure takes shape. Omar Berrada has started as chief executive, and Jason Wilcox as technical director, and I can assure you that we have lost no time in getting to work. Our first big decision of the summer was to extend Erik ten Hag’s contract as men’s first-team manager to June 2026, reflecting our strong belief in him as one of Europe’s top coaches, and the partner we want to continue working with to get the team back to the levels expected. We are all clear that last season fell below the required standards in the Premier League and Champions League but, by winning the FA Cup in such impressive fashion, our players and staff showed what they are capable of when everyone pulls together and performs to their potential. Our collective challenge is to reach those levels much more consistently. It’s my job, together with Jason, to create the right support structures and environment around Erik, the staff and players to make that possible. Already, I can feel a strong sense of energy and determination around the group, as the players and staff return fresh from their breaks, including some exciting new additions to the squad, and to the coaching team. There are also changes to the physical environment at Carrington as work commences on our season-long £50million redevelopment of the training ground – evidence of our commitment to improving the club’s infrastructure. This will require some adaptation this season, but all our teams – men’s, women’s and Academy – will maintain access to high-quality facilities, with the promise of a fully refreshed, world-class site once the project is completed. Delivering a successful women’s team and a thriving, productive Academy are both key objectives of my job, and I have a strong background in both areas. Women’s football was an important part of my remit in past roles with Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion and the FA, and it will be the same at Manchester United. Women’s football is arguably the most exciting area of growth in the global game, and we want to be part of that. Last season’s FA Cup win was a fantastic landmark as our first major women’s trophy, and now we want to build on that with Marc, his staff and the players. Youth development has also been a huge part of my career and I see it as a crucial element of success for any football club – but especially for Manchester United where homegrown players have such a rich history. The success of our Under-18s during the 2023/24 campaign bodes well for the next generation of men’s talent coming through, and the same is true on the women’s side, with both our Under-21s and Under-16s finishing the season with trophies. Overall, my first impression is the scale of opportunity available to us at Manchester United as we review and refresh all areas of the club. This remains one of the biggest football clubs in the world, but that is not our measure of success; the focus is on getting back to being among the best on the pitch. It won’t happen overnight, but, together with Omar and his new leadership team, we will not rest until we have achieved it.” Fans were delighted with what they read and took to social media to show their support. One wrote: "Had goosebumps reading this." Another said: "He made us a serious club again, thank you." A third added: "Exciting times ahead for United fans! Can't wait to see Dan Ashworth's vision come to life." A fourth beamed: "It shows that he values the fans' input and wants to keep them informed about the direction the club is heading." A fifth posted: "I'm excited about the future." Longest suicide note in history. The shortest being... "Hi Omar, got your message thanks. Yes, I'm very much up for joining you at Manchester United as soon as possible. See you there. (cc Darren Eales) In anticipation Dan" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madras Posted December 10 Share Posted December 10 A hub without a wheel. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abacus Posted December 10 Share Posted December 10 Amorin may or may not be good, but he's at a high pressure PL job now and is used to working with a sporting director, presumably, so probably needs that support. Whether Ashworth was the man to do that is a different matter, but it's quite a destabilising thing for them to cut him loose so rapidly. Interesting if we really were after Zirkzee. He's hard to judge as a player right now, but the main thing you'd take from that would be that Man U would obviously have access to our targets and financial situation with him there, which was the main thing I was worried about with him leaving. Well, that and destabilising us for a while by needing to find a successor. Hope he does go to Arsenal next, writes a lovely open letter about how excited he is to be there and then just annoys the hell out of Arteta with his awful wheel banter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted December 10 Share Posted December 10 (edited) 3 hours ago, McDog said: He not have a non-compete in his contract? edit: I sup[pose if you are walked out the door, it doesn't matter. Oh, hadn’t thought of that, maybe. Arsenal might have to pay for his next gardening session. Edited December 10 by AyeDubbleYoo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted December 10 Share Posted December 10 8 hours ago, McDog said: He not have a non-compete in his contract? edit: I sup[pose if you are walked out the door, it doesn't matter. Nah, just his usual non-complete clause. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
toon25 Posted December 12 Share Posted December 12 On his way to Everton apparently And fuck Everton, btw. Crying shame they're getting that takeover. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paully Posted December 12 Share Posted December 12 Just now, toon25 said: On his way to Everton apparently And fuck Everton, btw. Crying shame they're getting that takeover. Eh where's this from?! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovejoy Posted December 12 Share Posted December 12 22 minutes ago, toon25 said: On his way to Everton apparently And fuck Everton, btw. Crying shame they're getting that takeover. Can't see that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
toon25 Posted December 12 Share Posted December 12 Talk Sport just reported. Close links with Friedkin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt1892 Posted December 12 Share Posted December 12 You would presume that his settlement agreement contained all of the same restricted covenants that were in his contract, so he is unlikely to jump anywhere in this country quickly. Unless Man Utd were just glad to be shot of him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danh1 Posted December 12 Share Posted December 12 Must be exciting getting a new takeover, possible financial investment, and then getting this cunt in who will want to appoint Southgate. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Prontonise Posted December 12 Share Posted December 12 There's Southgate off to Everton then after they peddle Dyche. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixelphish Posted December 12 Share Posted December 12 10 minutes ago, Danh1 said: Must be exciting getting a new takeover, possible financial investment, and then getting this cunt in who will want to appoint Southgate. Can they even spend anything? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted December 12 Share Posted December 12 2 minutes ago, Pixelphish said: Can they even spend anything? No. Their PSR position doesn't change with new owners. They've been trimming the wages which will benefit them long-term. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRon Posted December 12 Share Posted December 12 3 minutes ago, Pixelphish said: Can they even spend anything? Not even sure if that's his role tbh, he seems more of an organiser putting structures in place. Maybe Sir Jim Ratshit thought he was going to recruit him top managers and players when in fact he was more about sorting out dressing room furniture and ordering new printers for team sheets etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danh1 Posted December 12 Share Posted December 12 9 minutes ago, Pixelphish said: Can they even spend anything? *checks if they’re one of the “top” 6* No. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghandis Flip-Flop Posted December 12 Share Posted December 12 40 minutes ago, Matt1892 said: You would presume that his settlement agreement contained all of the same restricted covenants that were in his contract, so he is unlikely to jump anywhere in this country quickly. Unless Man Utd were just glad to be shot of him. Probably differet stipulations on being sacked than looking to leave of your own volition Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPERTOON Posted December 12 Share Posted December 12 1 hour ago, El Prontonise said: There's Southgate off to Everton then after they peddle Dyche. Let’s hope so. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Froggy Posted Friday at 08:59 Share Posted Friday at 08:59 https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDUukYdA0kw/?igsh=MTFkcnowNnVidDV6Nw== Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nucasol Posted Friday at 09:06 Share Posted Friday at 09:06 6 minutes ago, Froggy said: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDUukYdA0kw/?igsh=MTFkcnowNnVidDV6Nw== King Hub and Spoke. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big River Posted Friday at 13:03 Share Posted Friday at 13:03 4 hours ago, Froggy said: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDUukYdA0kw/?igsh=MTFkcnowNnVidDV6Nw== he was the exact same here, yet you were having none of it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Froggy Posted Friday at 15:06 Share Posted Friday at 15:06 2 hours ago, Big River said: he was the exact same here, yet you were having none of it I wish everyone would stop pretending to know what he did for you. The speculation is off the charts on here, but reputable sources were glowing about his impact. Very different situation where he literally lasted a few months at us. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaKa Posted Friday at 15:26 Share Posted Friday at 15:26 19 minutes ago, Froggy said: I wish everyone would stop pretending to know what he did for you. The speculation is off the charts on here, but reputable sources were glowing about his impact. Very different situation where he literally lasted a few months at us. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPERTOON Posted Friday at 15:27 Share Posted Friday at 15:27 19 minutes ago, Froggy said: I wish everyone would stop pretending to know what he did for you. The speculation is off the charts on here, but reputable sources were glowing about his impact. Very different situation where he literally lasted a few months at us. Glowing with his impact here ? Not sure they were tbh. Like everyone on here, no one really seemed to know what he did. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted Friday at 15:46 Share Posted Friday at 15:46 6 hours ago, Froggy said: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDUukYdA0kw/?igsh=MTFkcnowNnVidDV6Nw== Except the train didn’t move. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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