**"They were simply mistakes" – Sir Jim Ratcliffe opens up about Dan Ashworth's exit from Man Utd and admits Erik ten Hag's contract extension was a wrong decision.**
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has explained why Dan Ashworth’s time at Manchester United lasted only five months and admitted that extending Erik ten Hag’s contract was a mistake.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Ashworth departed Old Trafford last December after only five months as sporting director. Now, United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has shed light on his exit and admitted it was a “mistake” to extend former manager Erik ten Hag’s contract last summer.
WHAT DID SIR JIM RATCLIFFE SAY?
He told The Telegraph: “They were just mistakes. The Erik situation is slightly more understandable—there was a lot of debate at the time. He had just won a cup final, and the fans clearly wanted us to stick with him. Both decisions were mistakes, and there’s not much more to say. It’s a journey, and we have to make many decisions along the way—we won’t get them all right, and we won’t be perfect in the future either.”
Regarding Ashworth, he added: “Coming from our old industry [with Ineos], it really comes down to ‘chemistry.’ I don’t want to dwell on it—it is what it is, and the fault lies with us.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Manchester United are currently in turmoil, sitting 14th in the Premier League amid widespread redundancies and increasing fan protests against the club’s ownership. The decision to pursue Dan Ashworth from Newcastle United for months, only to part ways with him shortly after at significant cost, reflects poorly on the club.
WHAT NEXT?
Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United will be hoping for positive news when they face Real Sociedad at home in the Europa League last-16 on Thursday. The tie is currently level at 1-1 following the first leg in Spain.
