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Manchester United’s Women’s team reportedly feel deflated by the departure of former sporting director Dan Ashworth.
The surprising news broke on Sunday morning that Ashworth and United had parted ways after only five months after it was concluded that the former Newcastle employee was not a good fit within the Ineos structure.
Ineos’ relationship with the women’s team has proven to be a complicated one so far. The new part-owners were accused of ignoring the team as they let numerous key players such as Katie Zelem and Mary Earps leave in the summer.
What’s more, the women were seen to be treated as second class citizens when they had to move out of their changing rooms at Carrington to accommodate the male team, while work was being done at the training ground earlier this year.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe also did not help his cause when he gave an interview claiming that the male team had to be the main focus of work and that the women’s side was an “opportunity” but that they had to be careful not to spread themselves and resources too thinly.
According to The Irish Independent, the Women’s team now feel they have lost an important ally in the boardroom.
They report “Manchester United’s women’s team have been left ‘deflated’ by Dan Ashworth’s shock exit at Old Trafford.”
“Ashworth considered the development of the women’s team to be an important part of his big picture rebuilding plans as sporting director” and the sporting director’s exit is seen as an “unwelcome and untimely blow.”
CEO Omar Berrada is also seen as a keen supporter of the women’s team but Ashworth was viewed as a “key ally with a passion and track record for growing and investing in the women’s game.”
The former FA man was credited with being one of the main architects behind a substantial amount of funding into the England Women’s national team and also he was said to be a positive influence behind the significant growth in Newcastle United’s women’s team during his time at St James’ Park.
“There is a sense of deflation around Dan’s exit,” a United source said. “The women’s team have lost a very passionate supporter.”
Despite the apparent lack of support from above, the women’s team have put together an impressive season so far, losing only one of their nine opening matches in the Women’s Super League.
They will take on Newcastle United this evening in the Women’s League Cup at 19:00 UK time.
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