Manchester United women's team have been left disappointed by the surprise departure of supportive sporting director Dan Ashworth.

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Ashworth leaves after five monthsWomen's team disappointed by exitSporting director seen as a supportive presenceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Ashworth has been sacked from his role as sporting director after just five months in the role. The decision has left the women's team "deflated" as Ashworth was seen as a "key ally" and a passionate supporter of the women's game, according to The Telegraph. Sir Jim Ratcliffe is certainly not viewed in the same way. The INEOS chief recently gave an interview where he made it clear the men's team was the priority at United, with his comments said to have been "dimly received" by the women's team.

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Manchester United's decision to axe Ashworth so soon came as a shock, particularly as the Red Devils had gone to great lengths, and expense, to lure him from Newcastle. Ratcliffe made the decision after their relationship deteriorated in the wake of the decision to sack Erik ten Hag. The INEOS chief has also made previous decisions that have been to the detriment of the women's team. He went to watch the men's team rather than see the women beat Tottenham in the Women's FA Cup final and has also moved the women's team into portable facilities while the training ground undergoes a revamp.

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

A United source told The Telegraph: "There is a sense of deflation around Dan’s exit. The women’s team have lost a very passionate supporter.”

GOALWHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

Ashworth may have only just left Manchester United but he is already being linked with a move to Arsenal to take over from Edu. Meanwhile, his early exit from United has seen questions raised about how the club is being run, particularly as it comes in the wake of Ten Hag's departure – just months after the club triggered an extension to his contract.