The holiday is dragging on. Manchester United could be waiting another year for a sporting director

In February, Newcastle sent their sporting director Dan Ashworth on so-called "gardening leave" - a period when an employee is suspended without pay. The latter has begun talks about a move to Manchester United, but it is too early to talk about a move to Old Trafford.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Ashworth's "gardening leave" may take place for at least a year, and if the Mancunians do not pay Newcastle a pay-off of €20 million, the specialist will not be able to leave Newcastle until 2026.

A one-year leave of absence is considered more realistic, with Ashworth missing the next two transfer windows, but ideally Manchester United would like to bring in the specialist now, as his experience would help the club in the upcoming transfer window.

But despite Ashworth now being more de facto than de jure linked to the Red Devils, he already has plans for the team, and it is known who Manchester United will say goodbye to if the specialist arrives.