Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth is “committed to his role” at St James’ Park, according to I News.

The website claims that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is “greatly impressed” with Ashworth’s work since joining the Magpies and he would like to appoint him to a similar position at Manchester United if he takes up a stake in the Red Devils.

However, it is believed that Ashworth is very keen to see through the project he has started at Newcastle. He only moved to the North East from Brighton in February last year, with the goal of reshaping the club’s infrastructure off the pitch.

I News report that he is focused on renovating the club’s scouting department, in addition to creating a data team that can be used to inform decision-making on recruitment and other aspects of the business.

There is also the ambition to create a multi-club structure, emulating the City Football Group, having recently established links with their first affiliate team, Northern Ireland’s Larne FC.

Keeping Ashworth is vital to Newcastle’s future plans

PIF, the club’s owners, are fully aware that there is a long way to go before the Magpies can be classed as an elite European club.

With Eddie Howe as manager, they are making great strides on the pitch, having qualified for the Champions League. However, to do that on a regular basis, they need to modernise how the club is run.

Ashworth’s insight, having worked with the FA and Brighton, is key to these plans, so any approach from Manchester United is a complete non-starter.

The Red Devils are not exactly a stable club

Considering that Ratcliffe will only be a minority shareholder, there is a danger that there will be conflict with United’s majority owners the Glazers.

With an expensively assembled squad underperforming and a run-down stadium needing to be revamped as well, there is a good case to say that Newcastle is the better club for Ashworth to be at anyway.

You can watch the documentary – Newcastle United: The Road Back To Europe on Shots! TV here