Dan Ashworth 'recommended' four people to replace Ten Hag at Manchester United - Ruben Amorim wasn't on list

Dan Ashworth reportedly recommended four candidates to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United - none of which were eventual successor Ruben Amorim.

Ashworth left his role at United sporting director over the weekend after just five months in the position, with club sources insisting the decision was a 'mutual agreement' among all parties.

It is suggested the 53-year-old was not aligned with the thinking of the rest of the club's hierarchy, while a number of reports suggest co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was ‘infuriated’ by the embarrassing decision to sack Ten Hag just months after he had been backed to remain in charge of the club.

The Athletic even report 'signs of disharmony were detectable' when United looked to replace Ten Hag back in October, when Ashworth did not provide clear or compelling arguments for who should take over at Old Trafford. It is suggested Ashworth wanted a manager with Premier League experience and subsequently recommended Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, Fulham head coach Marco Silva and Brentford boss Thomas Frank for the role. Graham Potter was also mentioned as a potential interim appointment until the end of the season.

Ratcliffe reportedly wanted more 'decisiveness' from his sporting director and also wanted a 'dynamic appointment', rather than people who were already well known to Ashworth. Sporting boss Amorim was quickly identified as the leading candidate for the United head coach role, though the pursuit of him was led by chief executive officer Omar Berrada rather than sporting director Ashworth.