Manchester United fans have been left shocked after finding out how much the club are prepared to give to Newcastle United for Dan Ashworth.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe held talks with Newcastle director Amanda Staveley earlier this month as he looks to recruit sporting director Ashworth.

But the two clubs are well apart in their valuations, according to The Telegraph.

That's because Man United are proposing a compensation of just £2 million - similar to the fee Newcastle paid to lure Ashworth away from Brighton two years ago.

Newcastle want around £15 million plus a further £5 million in add-ons for Ashworth, who's currently on gardening leave after stepping down from his role in February.

The Old Trafford outfit, however, are prepared to sit tight if necessary, but they are willing to pay a small uplift on that £2 million mark if there was the prospect of bringing in the 53-year-old before the summer.

Man United fans online were surprised at how little they were offering to Newcastle for Ashworth as they made their feelings known.

One X user wrote: "£2m sounds on the low side to me, sure we paid more for Wilcox. It was reported yesterday we agreed £6m + another £6m in add ons."

A second tweeted: "My club is finally not being held hostage on targets in the market."

A third added: "Paying 20m for Ashworth would set the club back 10 years."

A fourth said: "So we only offered 2mil... what a joke man people were saying its done at 12 or 20. If you want something be ruthless and get it! Before anyone says 'oh he wants to negotiate, not get ripped off' well we get ripped off constantly because of Man Utd tax we may as well embrace it!"

Another commented: "I'm sorry United... just give them what they want at this point otherwise this deal is never going through."

Man United's board overhaul is taking shape following the appointment of Jason Wilcox as technical director as well as the appointment of Omar Berrada as the club's new chief executive officer.

Ashworth is being eyed up for their sporting director gig, but they have no intention of being strong-armed.

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