It’s crunch time for Manchester United – on and off the pitch.

Erik ten Hag’s side must put together a season-best run of form if they’re to have any hope of finishing in the Champions League places, while the FA Cup is their only prospect piece of silverware. Ten Hag’s position remains under scrutiny, with new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS colleagues weighing up their options as part of an ongoing shakeup at the club.

Part of that will be appointing a new sporting director and Newcastle chief Dan Ashworth is Ratcliffe’s No.1 candidate. But with Ashworth having been put on gardening leave, Newcastle are driving a hard bargain to let him leave long before the expiry of his contract in January 2026.

Here’s a round-up of the latest news from Old Trafford.

Ratcliffe meets Newcastle co-owner

Sir Jim Ratcliffe this week held face-to-face talks with the Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley in an effort to finally bring Dan Ashworth to Manchester United. Newcastle put Ashworth on gardening leave last month after the former FA bigwig informed the club of his desire to join the Red Devils before the summer transfer window opens.

It’s been claimed that Staveley and co would demand as much as £15million to let Ashworth leave early but now, according to the Times, she’s met with Ratcliffe. It’s unknown whether or not an agreement was reached, although the pair’s meeting suggests that the two parties are willing to negotiate.

Read the latest on United’s pursuit of Ashworth here.

Your turn! How much should Manchester United pay for Dan Ashworth? Join the debate in the comments section.

Ten Hag offers Rashford injury update

Marcus Rashford is fit for Manchester United’s clash with Bournemouth on Saturday, Erik ten Hag has confirmed. The 26-year-old forward limped off during Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool, having been restored to the side following Ten Hag’s decision to bench him against Chelsea last week.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, the United manager said: “Rashford trained yesterday, so how he has recovered from it. We have another training today and then we will make a decision on it.”

Scott McTominay, however, hasn’t travelled ahead of the late kick-off at the Vitality Stadium.

Ten Hag sends Murtough parting message

Erik ten Hag admits that he’s already ‘missing’ the support of Manchester United football director John Murtough, who this week left the club. Murtough, who joined United in 2013, chose to step down after being informed that his role would change under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS-led regime.

“I think it’s very important that the new ownership is working on this, to replace his function to go into a new season,” Ten Hag explained. “For the moment, of course, I miss his support, the surround support, you miss that. He has moved on, we worked very well together, so I say thank you to John and wish him all the best for the future.”