Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has admitted Dan Ashworth’s departure as sporting director is “not the best situation” but insists it “doesn’t change anything”.
United made the shock announcement on Sunday that the 53-year-old was leaving Old Trafford just 159 days after arriving from Newcastle.
The Red Devils had spent months nogotiating Ashworth’s appointment, with the former Brighton and England chief spending a lengthy period on gardening leave with Newcastle.
His exit comes just a month into Amorim’s reign, with the Portuguese boss facing the media for the first time since the announcement on Wednesday ahead of their Europa League clash against Viktoria Plzen.
Amorim said: “From Omar [Berrada, chief executive], from Dan, from Jason (Wilcox, technical director). Dan was part of that and I really felt support from Dan.
“But this is football and sometimes these things happen. It happens with players, with coaches.
“I know that it’s not the best situation but the important thing is we continue in our way. The path is really clear for everybody and I think this can happen in football.”
United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe had previously described Ashworth as “the world’s best sporting director” but has now parted ways with him with less than half the season played.
Asked if United are more unstable than they were when he first arrived a month ago, Amorim said: “I don’t think so.
“Like I said, I’ve felt since day one the support from everybody, so one person leaving doesn’t change nothing.
