Newcastle's sporting director Dan Ashworth wants to join Manchester United, talkSPORT understands.

Ashworth is Sir Jim Ratcliffe's top choice to become United's new sporting director following INEOS's 25 per cent investment in the Old Trafford giants.

Man United are confident of coming to a deal with Newcastle to enable Ashworth to swap St James' Park for Old Trafford. 

They are also looking to appoint a head of recruitment to work under ex-FA bigwig Ashworth.

The Englishman joined Newcastle from Brighton in 2022, where he served as technical director, but the Magpies are now braced for his departure.

Ashworth was officially confirmed as Newcastle's director of football in February 2022 but served a period of gardening leave before joining the Toon in the summer.

Immediately, he helped Newcastle complete a cut-price deal for Nick Pope and a club-record transfer involving Alexander Isak.

Anthony Gordon was then signed in January 2023 from Everton, and he's enjoyed a sublime season.

Ashworth works closely with Eddie Howe to identify targets and helped close out summer deals for Tino Livramento, Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Lewis Hall.

Livramento has looked like a star in the making at left or right-back, while Tonali appeared born to play in the Premier League until he was banned for illegal betting on football.