“There is a sense of deflation around Dan’s exit,” a United source told Telegraph Sport. “The women’s team have lost a very passionate supporter.”
That Ashworth’s exit came on a weekend when Sir Jim Ratcliffe made it clear in an interview with the United We Stand fanzine that his priority was the men’s team has also not helped the mood within the women’s camp, Telegraph Sport has been told.
Asked about the perception he was “not interested” in the women’s team, the United co-owner said: “The perception is slightly misguided. There’s only so much that you can do and our focus has been on the men’s team.
“If not, you get spread too thinly. We need to sort out the main issue – the men’s team. The women’s team is an opportunity.
“Women’s football is growing really quickly in popularity and size. We need to participate in that. The girls wear a Manchester United badge on their shirt and they’re representing the club.”
Sources indicated that some of the language Ratcliffe used to discuss the women’s team had been dimly received. The women’s team manager Marc Skinner says he felt the club have a “love and affinity with our women’s team” but, while the presence of Ashworth especially and Berrada was a source of considerable encouragement, insiders have questioned whether Ratcliffe feels the same way.
“Ashworth was heavily involved in United women’s summer recruitment business and Harvey Bussell, the head of recruitment for the women’s team, and interim head of women’s football Matt Johnson have lost a key ally.