A major development about Dan Ashworth's exit from Man Utd has emerged as club release official statement

Fabrizio Romano has provided a fascinating insight into Dan Ashworth's departure from Manchester United, just minutes before the club released an official statement confirming his exit.

It has emerged that Ashworth agreed to his departure in a meeting with chief executive Omar Berrada on Saturday evening after their Premier League defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Ashworth's transition into his role as sporting director 'has not been smooth', according to The Athletic, who claim United 'instigated' the separation.

The 53-year-old, who was in charge of football performance, recruitment and operations at Old Trafford, was previously labelled "one of the top sporting directors in the world" by United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

But shortly after the news emerged, Fabrizio Romano suggested co-owner Ratcliffe is "not happy at all" with last summer's so-called strategy and described the situation as "tense".

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday morning, Romano wrote: "Dan Ashworth left his role at Manchester United after 5 months, it’s over with the sporting director as revealed by @TheAthleticFC."

He added: "Tense situation with Sir Jim Ratcliffe, not happy at all with last summer strategy. United spent around £3m to get Ashworth from Newcastle."

In addition to those claims, talkSPORT suggest Ashworth felt 'sidelined from the big decisions' as Omar Berrada and Sir Dave Brailsford called the shots.

"Tipping point was Amorim appointment," added Alex Crook. "He favoured a British coach ie. Southgate. Also been told there was a clash of personalities."

Manchester United released a statement on Sunday morning to confirm Ashworth's departure.

It read: "Dan Ashworth will be leaving his role as Sporting Director of Manchester United by mutual agreement. We would like to thank Dan for his work and support during a transitional period for the club and wish him well for the future."

Dan Ashworth will be leaving his role as Sporting Director of Manchester United by mutual agreement.#MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 8, 2024

Ahead of Saturday's game against Nottingham Forest, Ratcliffe described United's existing state as "mediocre" and claimed that the club have to make "difficult and unpopular decisions" to inspire change.

"Manchester United has become mediocre," he told United We Stand. "It is supposed to be one of the best football clubs in the world. We have to make some difficult and unpopular decisions. If you shy away from the difficult decisions, then nothing much is going to change.”

Ratcliffe added: "I know we get criticism in the press, but we do need to challenge the cost of running this club because what I want to be free for us to do is buy really good footballers, not spend so much of the money on infrastructure.

"We can't run a business at a loss, which is where United have been in the last couple of years."