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Man United confirms sudden resignation of Sporting Director

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Manchester United confirmed the shock departure of sporting director Dan Ashworth on Sunday, just five months after he took up the role at Old Trafford.

Ashworth’s exit was reportedly agreed after Saturday’s disappointing 3-2 home defeat to Nottingham Forest.

His appointment was seen as a major coup among sweeping changes to the Red Devils’ sporting structure made since Jim Ratcliffe bought a minority share in the English giants in December 2023.

Ashworth, 53, officially joined the club on July 1 after spending five months on gardening leave at Newcastle as Manchester United pursued their interest.

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However, the Athletic reported tensions had emerged between Ashworth and Ratcliffe over the return on the field from a near £200 million ($255 million) spending spree in the summer transfer window.

None of the new signings — Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs De Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee — have hit the ground running.

United sit 13th in the Premier League and sacked Erik ten Hag in October, just four months after extending the Dutchman’s contract.

New boss Ruben Amorim has not had an immediate impact with just one win from his first four Premier League matches.

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“Dan Ashworth will be leaving his role as sporting director of Manchester United by mutual agreement,” United said in a statement.

We would like to thank Dan for his work and support during a transitional period for the club and wish him well for the future.”

Ashworth was previously credited for implementing a structure at the Football Association that helped turn around the fortunes of the England national team.

He was then part of Brighton’s development into an established Premier League club before joining Newcastle in 2022.

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After extensive negotiations United reportedly paid compensation of £3 million to bring Ashworth to Old Trafford.

He joined a revamped leadership group with Jason Wilcox joining as technical director and Omar Berrada installed as chief executive.

Ashworth’s departure comes as the latest major embarrassment to Ratcliffe’s overhaul of a club that has fallen on hard times over the past decade.

The British billionaire, who made his fortune as founder of petrochemicals giant INEOS, said the club had become “mediocre” in a fanzine interview this week and that “difficult and unpopular decisions” needed to be made.

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Ratcliffe has also alienated fans after a controversial decision to raise ticket prices to £66 per match without concessions for children or pensioners.

AFP

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Haaland signs 10-year contract with Manchester City

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By Francesca Hangeior.

 

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has signed a new 10-year contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2034, the club announced on Friday.

The 24-year-old Norwegian, who joined City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, has been a pivotal figure in the club’s recent successes.

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His initial contract was set to expire in 2027, but the new deal reflects the club’s confidence in Haaland’s importance to their future.

“Erling Haaland has signed a new 10-year Manchester City contract, keeping him at the Club until the summer of 2034,” the statement said.

Reflecting on the new contract, Haaland expressed his delight at extending his stay.

“I am really happy to have signed my new contract and to be able to look forward to spending even more time at this great club.

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“Manchester City is a special club, full of fantastic people with amazing supporters, and it’s the type of environment that helps bring the best out of everybody,” he said.

Haaland thanked his teammates, manager Pep Guardiola, and the City staff, stating, “They have made this such a special place to be, and now I am City no matter what. I want to keep developing, keep working to get better, and help us achieve more success going forward.”

Since his arrival, Haaland’s impact has been nothing short of extraordinary. In his debut 2022/23 season, he scored 52 goals across all competitions, the highest-ever tally by a Premier League player in a single season, breaking the previous league record of 36 goals.

His goals were instrumental in City’s historic treble-winning campaign, which included the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League titles.

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In addition to collective success, Haaland garnered numerous individual accolades in his debut season, including the PFA Player of the Year, Premier League Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, and the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year awards.

Despite an injury that sidelined him for nearly two months during the 2023/24 season, Haaland continued his prolific form, scoring 38 goals in 45 appearances, including 27 in the Premier League, securing a second consecutive Golden Boot.

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SAD: Footballer slumps, dies during match in Osun

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By Francesca Hangeior.

 

Osun State Police Command has confirmed the death of Adeyemi Adewale, a football player for the Ilesa West Local Government Area team, who slumped during a match in Osogbo, the state capital.

Adewale, 29, was participating in the Adeleke Memorial Cup Final match at the Ataoja School of Science on Thursday when he collapsed on the field.

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Efforts to save him proved futile as he was rushed to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, where doctors confirmed him dead upon arrival.

Spokesperson for the Osun Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident in a statement, adding that investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death have commenced.

“Today, (Thursday) while the Adeleke Memorial Cup Final match was going on at Ataoja School of Science, one Adeyemi Adewale ‘M’ 29yrs, a player of Ilesa West Football team, slumped on the pitch.

“He was rushed to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, where he was later confirmed dead by a doctor,” the statement said.

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The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the teaching hospital’s morgue.

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Remarkable Comeback As Amad Diallo 12 Minute Hat-trick Seals Victory For Manchester United Vs Southampton

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Three late goals from Amad Diallo dragged a below-par Manchester United to a 3-1 comeback victory over Southampton in the Premier League on Thursday.

Amad Diallo proved the saviour for Manchester United once again as they came from behind to sneak a late win against basement club Southampton.

United will have fancied their chances of getting back to winning ways against bottom of the table Southampton, but the hosts were second best from the off, deservedly falling behind to a Manuel Ugarte own goal just before halftime.

Staring down the barrel of another home defeat, United upped the ante after the break, getting back on level terms through Diallo eight minutes from time, before the Ivorian completed the turnaround in the 90th minute.

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Amad Diallo is the hero for the hosts, his hat-trick getting them out of a huge hole against a Southampton team who deserved more than they got from the game.

An absorbing and entertaining game ends in a home victory.

Manchester United and Ruben Amorim have Amad Diallo to thank for saving their blushes.

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