Ashworth's shock exit 'not the best situation', says Amorim

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has acknowledged the departure of sporting director Dan Ashworth is "not the best situation".

Ashworth had spent just 159 days with the club before his surprise exit was announced on Sunday, although Amorim believes the club's vision for the future remains unchanged.

"The first thing I want to say is that, since the first day, I felt great support from the ownership," said Amorim, who took charge on November 11.

"From Omar [Berrada, chief executive], from Dan also, from Jason [Wilcox, technical director]. Dan was part of that, and I really felt support from Dan also.

"But this is football and sometimes these things happen. It happens with players, with coaches.

"I know that it's not the best situation but the important thing is we continue in our way. The path is really clear for everybody and I think this can happen in football."

????????, ????????, ???????? Since Ruben Amorim took charge of Man Utd, they have: made the second-most lineup changes in PL been one of 3 teams to use maximum permitted subs It's been necessary amid change, but is it a long-term plan? — Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) December 10, 2024

Amorim himself has only been in the job at Old Trafford for one month, having won two and drawn one of his five matches in charge in all competitions.

During the same press conference, he was asked whether he felt that the club was more unstable than when he had arrived last month.

"I don't think so," he said. "I've felt since day one the support from everybody, so one person leaving doesn't change anything.

"Of course, it's a bad situation, because we are talking about a human being, a professional, that supports us as a team.

"But I think the most important thing is that your vision is really clear and that vision doesn't change if only one person leaves."