Manchester United to cover Dan Ashworth’s legal costs as he takes Newcastle to arbitration | OneFootball

Manchester United will reportedly be covering the arbitration costs of Dan Ashworth amidst the ongoing standoff with Newcastle United over his immediate future.

Ashworth was placed on gardening leave in February by Newcastle after he informed his employers that he wished to leave St James’ Park to join Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s project at United.

Since then, both clubs have held talks but a solution has not been found, despite Ratcliffe himself getting involved and having a dialogue with Magpies co-owner Amanda Staveley.

It’s believed that Eddie Howe’s side want an unrealistic compensation package worth up to £20 million to let their executive circumvent his notice period and start work at Old Trafford immediately.

INEOS on the other hand have made it crystal clear that they will not be held to ransom and will certainly not be forking out such an amount for non-playing personnel.

A recent report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Ashworth was set to take Newcastle to arbitration in an effort to break the deadlock.

The Athletic have provided an update on this situation. The newspaper states, “Manchester United will be covering Dan Ashworth’s legal costs if he takes Newcastle United to arbitration.”

“Manchester United were unwilling to meet that figure [the £20m compensation package] and the matter is set to be handled by a third party in a case anticipated to start in May, with Ashworth’s would-be employers covering his legal costs.”

“Although it is standard industry practice for Ashworth’s expenses to be covered by Manchester United, it comes at a time when INEOS is cutting back on staff costs.”

Indeed, INEOS moved to cancel the corporate cards of senior executives as part of Ratcliffe’s initiative to reduce operation costs at United.

Club staff also found out a few days ago that they now have to pay for some of the perks they used to enjoy for free during FA Cup ties such as extra tickets and a club-provided coach to the final at Wembley.

Dan Sheldon further notes on Ashworth, “The working assumption from Old Trafford is that Ashworth is unlikely to arrive before the end of the summer transfer window, so it is business as usual until then for Manchester United’s recruitment department.”

The upcoming weeks are certainly shaping up to be crucial for United in their bid to finally land Ashworth and put a stop to Newcastle’s ludicrous games.

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