Manchester United’s women’s team have been left “deflated” by Dan Ashworth’s shock exit at Old Trafford. Ashworth considered the development of the women’s team to be an important part of his big picture rebuilding plans as sporting director and his departure after just 159 days in the position is considered an unwelcome and untimely blow.

It is almost a year since Ratcliffe and Ineos took control of sporting operations and more ‘unpopular decisions’ could be on the way