Dan Ashworth placed on gardening leave by Newcastle after telling them he wants out… and Man United must agree compensation or he’ll have to wait nearly TWO YEARS to join

Dan Ashworth has now told Newcastle he wants to leave the club – but he could be forced to wait close to two years before joining Manchester United if they do not pay significant compensation.

Mail Sport understands the period of gardening leave written into the sporting director’s current contract would take him towards the January transfer window of 2026. 

That means Man United will have to negotiate an enhanced compensation fee to release him early or meet the terms of his contract and wait for his gardening leave to expire.

But Ashworth’s time at St James’ Park is now all but over and he has been placed on gardening leave after informing the club of his desire to quit. As Mail Sport reported last week, developments are expected to come to a head in the coming days.

It is thought Man United are willing to be patient and wait for Ashworth if a compromise cannot be reached, and that would mean Newcastle paying his wages for the duration of his gardening leave.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is eager to appoint the highly-rated Ashworth as United’s sporting director but the clubs must agree a significant compensation fee

The news regarding Ashworth will be frustrating for Newcastle manager Eddie Howe

The 52-year-old’s position felt as good as untenable following Eddie Howe’s pre-match press conference on Friday, in which he expressed his concern over Ashworth’s access to the club’s inner workings ahead of a likely defection to their rivals.

Howe said then it was for ‘someone above me’ to answer whether Ashworth should be asked to leave the building immediately. The inference was the head coach wanted the situation resolved imminently.

Ashworth remained over the weekend, attending scouting meetings and Saturday’s 2-2 draw at home to Bournemouth.

However, he…