Newcastle find unlikely ally as Manchester United urged to pay Dan Ashworth fee

Over the years, Newcastle United fans haven’t always seen eye to eye with former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys.

A number of provocative comments during Rafa Benitez’s tenure as manager and Mike Ashley’s infamous spell as owner of the Magpies, saw the two parties at loggerheads.

But, in the fallout of Manchester United’s desire to prise Dan Ashworth away from Tyneside to become their new technical director, Keys has now publicly sided with Newcastle.

Keys hits back at Ratcliffe’s Ashworth comments

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group have completed their purchase of 25% of Manchester United and one of their first moves was to try and appoint Ashworth.

However, Newcastle are said to be holding out for a £20million compensation fee and have placed Ashworth on gardening leave until the Red Devils pay what they deem to be acceptable to release him from his contract.

Ratcliffe labelled the situation as ‘absurd’ but Keys has hit out at the new Manchester United co-owner and urged him to pay the money Newcastle are demanding.

“There is much of this takeover I am bemused by but Arsene Wenger sat in the studio with us last Wednesday and said the most important person at a football club is the coach or the technical director,” Keys told BeIN Sports.

“Manchester United want Dan Ashworth. Do the job courteously and properly. If Newcastle United believe his contract is worth £20million, and that is the compensation fee they are wanting, go and pay it.

“Surely, in amongst the money they have already spent, what is £20million?”

Keys’ co-host Andy Gray then replied: “Nothing. If he is an important part of the cog and an important part of the jigsaw then do the right thing and pay the compensation or let him stay where he is.”

Keys then continued: “I am with Newcastle on that. He is an employee of that football club. He has every right to go and work for another employee but the figure is £20million, just get it done. That is it.”