Newcastle guru Dan Ashworth to Manchester United is better than Bournemouth director Richard Hughes joining Liverpool

Manchester United could beat Liverpool with Dan Ashworth a better appointment than Richard Hughes.

That’s according to Luke Dowling, former sporting director at Nottingham Forest, Watford and West Brom.

United are keen on Newcastle sporting director Ashworth and hope to appoint him.

Liverpool, on the other hand, quickly appointed Bournemouth technical director Hughes as part of their plan for life without Jurgen Klopp.

Speaking on White and Jordan, Dowling revealed he thought the Red Devils got a better deal with Ashworth than Liverpool did with Hughes.

“I think Dan’s reputation tells you that Man United have the best person, in my opinion,” he told talkSPORT.

“I think about what he did with the FA, the impact he had at Brighton and what he would have built at Newcastle in the long term.

“I sit here and say if we look back in five years I think Man United would have had a better deal with Dan Ashworth.

“That’s not to say Richard Hughes isn’t capable of it, of course he is.

“Some of his recruitments at Bournemouth have been brilliant, the Nathan Ake of this world, Dominic Solanke, (the Cherries) have brought in some great players.

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“I think it will really help Richard in his relationship with Michael Edwards (the new football CEO) and help him settle down.

“The best thing Richard Hughes has at Liverpool is Barry Hunter (head scout) and Dave Fallows (head of recruitment), who are exceptional at their jobs and phenomenal.

“That’s what Hughes has that Dan Ashworth doesn’t.”

Dowling, however, waxed lyrical about the qualities Ashworth could bring to Old Trafford.

“I think when he joins Man United, from a supporters’ point of view, they will just look at the signings, because that’s what fans do, and rightly so,” he added.

“But what Dan is going to do is go out there and look at everything: the recruiting, the structure, the medical side, the injury record this season and how to improve it.

“It will also look at travel, how they travel, so Dan will come in, and I’m sure it will be first and foremost the players and how they can improve on the pitch.

“Although he will have an interest in all departments and play a major role in the academy.

“Dan will come in, yes, recruitment is a huge thing behind any football club, but behind that he will go through things that the supporters don’t see.