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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Ashworth placed on gardening leave</li><li>Man Utd eye ex-Newcastle sporting director</li><li>Ashworth reportedly held meeting with Wolves</li></ul>

Another twist in Man Utd's pursuit of Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth after alleged secret meeting with another Premier League club

According to <a href="https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/dan-ashworth-wolves-newcastle-manchester-united-twist-3106093" target="_blank">The i</a><a href="https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/dan-ashworth-wolves-newcastle-manchester-united-twist-3106093" target="_blank">,</a> the 53-year-old allegedly met with Wolves in March - without informing his employers Newcastle. This was when the Magpies had <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/newcastle-statement-dan-ashworth-man-utd/bltc147cbea78c52240" target="_blank">placed him on gardening leave</a>, amid his <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/dan-ashworth-manchester-united-newcastle-update-jim-ratcliffe-ineos/bltdc50510c749a27d7" target="_blank">desire to join Manchester United</a> as their new sporting director in February.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Newcastle are said to be holding out for something closer to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/dan-ashworth-attempting-to-force-man-utd-move-by-taking-newcastle-to-arbitration/blt884a3a1744cc0bba#csfb9f9f5e0adb17c6" target="_blank">£15 million ($19m) for Ashworth's services</a>, but United are reportedly yet to go above £3m ($3.9m) for the former Brighton technical director. Red Devils minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe suggested Ashworth's gardening leave ends in 18 months' time but it remains to be seen if he will head to Old Trafford before then.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Ashworth rose to prominence during a stint (2012-18) as the Football Association's director of elite development - during which time he helped created the "England DNA". This was a plan that aimed to "help create winning senior teams" in the men's and women's game and is said to have facilitated the more recent upturn in results for England's national teams.

DID YOU KNOW?

Ashworth's future is very much up in the air as he seeks to join United, with Newcastle standing firm on their valuation of the former West Brom technical director.

WHAT NEXT?

Another twist in Man Utd's pursuit of Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth after alleged secret meeting with another Premier League club | Goal.com

Manchester United target Dan Ashworth reportedly held a secret meeting with Wolves after being placed on gardening leave by Newcastle United.

Another twist in Man Utd&apos;s pursuit of Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth after alleged secret meeting with another Premier League club