Dan Ashworth has been placed on gardening leave by Newcastle after finally telling the St James’ Park hierarchy he wants to join Manchester United. It seems the starting pistol signalling an intense period of haggling between the two clubs has been fired, with Newcastle wanting £20m in compensation.
Ashworth has been sporting director at St James’ Park for 20 months and Newcastle’s majority Saudi Arabian owners will not allow a man they poached from Brighton to depart easily or cheaply.
