Rating every Dan Ashworth signing at Manchester United

Dan Ashworth’s sudden exit as sporting director of Manchester United was headline news this week, after the decision was made for him to leave the club.

Ashworth had been in position for just five months after a lengthy pursuit to prise him from Newcastle United. The 53-year-old appears to have paid the price for a poor start to the season and underwhelming performances from several summer signings.

Is it too soon to judge his recruitment? Perhaps. Are we going to do it anyway? Absolutely.

Rating every Dan Ashworth signing at Manchester United

Joshua Zirkzee – Bologna (£36m)

The first new name ushered in at Old Trafford was Joshua Zirkzee, who joined from Bologna for a fee in the region of £36m. Zirkzee was named Serie A Young Player of the Year last season, after helping I Rossoblù to a shock Champions League qualification.

His 11 league goals made it a coming-of-age campaign for the Dutchman and he started his Manchester United career with a bang. A debut winner against Fulham introduced Zirkzee to English football but it has been a tough period since.

He went 18 appearances without scoring after that goal, before a double against Everton ended his drought. Still, a return of three goals in 21 appearances is a modest return for a player who has looked off the pace for large parts of the campaign.

Rating: 3/10

Leny Yoro – Lille (£52m)

Manchester United’s capture of Leny Yoro was considered a coup in the summer, after outbidding Real Madrid to land the highly-coveted centre-back. Yoro was named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season in 2023/24 after making 44 appearances in a breakthrough campaign for Lille.

However, the 19-year-old broke his foot in pre-season and has missed the majority of the campaign. He recently returned to first-team action, where hopes are high he will be a success.

Rating: N/A

Matthijs de Ligt – Bayern Munich (£38.5m)

Matthijs de Ligt was brought in from Bayern Munich to bolster the backline, with the Dutch defender reuniting with ex-Ajax boss Ten Hag at Old Trafford. The only defender ever to win the Golden Boy award in 2018, the centre-back’s progress had stalled since being named captain of the Dutch side while still a teenager.

Now 25, De Ligt has won league titles in the Netherlands, Italy and Germany, but was moved on by Bayern after falling out of favour last season. He has had a mixed start to his time in Manchester, with reservations – similarly to those surrounding Harry Maguire – over his mobility. However, De Ligt’s could find a home in the centre of Ruben Amorim’s back three if athleticism, and crucially pace, is placed alongside him.

Rating: 5/10

Noussair Mazraoui – Bayern Munich (£12.8m)

The success story of the summer window. After failing to nail down a regular role at Bayern Munich, Mazraoui completed a cut-price £12.8m move to Manchester. It’s proven to be brilliant value for the Red Devils with the Moroccan having already shone in multiple positions. He’s played both full-back positions, as a central defender in a three, and in midfield and was named the club’s Player of the Month for November.

No full-back in the Premier League has averaged more tackles (3.91) per 90 minutes than Mazraoui in 2024/25.

Rating: 8/10

Sékou Koné – Guidars FC – Undisclosed

One for the future, the 18-year-old was brought in from Guidars FC for an undisclosed fee. The 18-year-old was subject of interest from clubs across Europe after impressing as Mali finished third at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2023.

Rating: N/A

Manuel Ugarte – Paris Saint-Germain (£51m)

Manchester United offered Manuel Ugarte an escape route from Paris Saint-Germain after the French champions decided to cut their losses on the midfielder. Signed just a season earlier, Ugarte led Ligue 1 for tackles per game (4.97) but limitations in his ability on the ball saw him struggle for favour at the Parc des Princes.

The data dictates that the 23-year-old is an elite ball-winner, though Manchester United will want more from a player whose introduction to the Premier League has been underwhelming.

The intensity of the Premier League has been a challenge for the Uruguayan. Ruben Amorim’s arrival could help him settle. Ugarte thrived under Amorim’s management at Sporting Lisbon before his €60m transfer to PSG in 2023.

Rating: 6/10

Read – Arsenal considering move for Dan Ashworth after Man United exit

See more – Over half the Manchester United squad ‘candidates for sale’

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