Dan Ashworth holds secret meeting with “prominent” manager over Man Utd job

Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth has reportedly held a secret meeting with a “prominent” manager about a move to Old Trafford.

Man Utd manager rumours

Erik ten Hag's long-term future with the Red Devils appears to be on hold, however, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe not planning to offload the Dutchman before the end of the season.

Ashworth could complete his move to Manchester from Newcastle United, joining chief executive Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox as boardroom additions made by Ratcliffe and INEOS.

Both Ashworth and Wilcox could have a big say when it comes to player signings, looking to fix the “backbone” of the team, and any change in the dugout, with a number of managers being linked to take over at the Ten Hag. Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi, England manager Gareth Southgate, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou and Brentford's Thomas Frank are other names that have emerged in recent months.

Recently, Ratcliffe and Man Utd have been in contact with Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel about a return to the Premier League, but another former Chelsea manager is attracting more interest.

Dan Ashworth holds a secret meeting with Graham Potter

There have been many rumors of former Chelsea boss Graham Potter replacing the Ten Hag at Old Trafford, with Ratcliffe a big fan of the 48-year-old. Previous reports have claimed that talks have already been held with Potter over a move to Man Utd, with the 3-4-2-1 manager the frontrunner to join.

Now, according to GiveMeSport, Ashworth recently held a secret meeting with Potter, who will be considered to replace Ten Hag, should the woman receive her marching orders in the coming months.

He has been out of work for more than a year after being fired by Chelsea, Potter is taking time to return to boxing, and even retired from the Netherlands with Ajax a few weeks ago.

He may be keen on a return to the Premier League, and came in for praise from Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola while at Stamford Bridge, who urged the Blues to stick with England.

“I would say to Todd Boehly, give him time. I know for big teams results are important but I would say give him time. The second half is what he is. What he did at Brighton was brilliant, but we need time. In the first season I had (Lionel) Messi in Barcelona my first season so I didn't need two seasons because Messi he was there.

As we know, Potter was released immediately after those words of Guardiola, but who knows, next season, the two may face the Manchester derby, especially after this update about Ashworth's secret meeting with the current manager.