Manchester United make drastic decision after surprise loss to Nottingham Forest

Manchester United have sacked sporting director Dan Ashworth after just five months at the club. The Englishman was brought to the English giants this year after a protracted saga to secure his services from Newcastle United.

The Red Devils have been poor this season, sitting 13th in the League standings after 14 games. However, Ashworth's sacking will surprise many, particularly after he was allowed to oversee the club's summer spending, which totaled a reported £200 million.

The club announced Ashworth's dismissal in a statement that read:

"Dan Ashworth will be leaving his role as Sporting Director of Manchester United by mutual agreement. We would like to thank Dan for his work and support during a transitional period for the club and wish him well for the future."

The former Brighton and Hove Albion and Newcastle director's dismissal is a reminder of how fast things move in football. Only in February this year, United minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe was quoted by The Athletic, saying:

"Dan Ashworth is clearly one of the top sporting directors in the world, I have no doubt he is a very capable person. He is interested in Manchester United because it’s the biggest challenge at the biggest club in the world. It would be different at City because you’re maintaining a level. Here it’s a significant rebuilding job. He would be a very good addition.”

Ashworth's departure will add more uncertainty and confusion to a Red Devils team that looks to be in the middle of a shocking poor campaign. The 20-time English champions will begin searching for a replacement for the vacant role.

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Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim explains substitutions in loss to Nottingham Forest

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim explained his decision to take off club Captain Bruno Fernandes in his side's 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Saturday, December 7. The former Sporting boss' decision raised a few eyebrows with his side fighting to draw level in the game.

Fernandes bagged United's second goal in the match to give the hosts some hope of avoiding defeat against their determined visitors in the 61st minute but was taken off for the last quarter of an hour. Speaking to the press after the match, Amorim explained his decision, saying (via Fotmob):

"I understand that Bruno is a danger near the box, He'd scored one goal, but he was tired with transition. I could let Bruno Fernandes [stay on], but I felt with Mason Mount, he is also good with set-pieces and can score because he's very technical, and we needed fresh legs.

"If you saw the game: transitions, so if you lose the ball and suffer another goal, it was over. So I used all the substitutions. With a lot of games, I felt Bruno was a little bit tired. I had Mason Mount and tried to put him and Josh [Zirkzee] nearer Rasmus to try something in the end."

Manchester United face cross-town rivals Manchester City next in the league. The Red Devils are on a two-match losing streak following consecutive losses to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.