Arsenal have added Dan Ashworth to a list of possible candidates for the vacant sporting director position following his sudden departure from Manchester United, sources have told ESPN.

United confirmed on Sunday that Ashworth had left the club after just five months in charge. According to sources, the 53-year-old has been involved in a number of disagreements with senior figures at the club.

Ashworth’s reputation suffered a severe blow as a result, but he remains highly regarded after successful spells with the Football Association (FA), Brighton and Newcastle United.

Ashworth also previously worked with Arsenal managing director Richard Garlick at West Bromwich Albion.

Garlick was West Brom’s legal director and secretary, but was promoted to sporting and technical director in 2013 following Ashworth’s departure to the FA.

Sources added that the couple enjoyed a close working relationship at the time. Garlick is now leading Arsenal’s search for a sporting director after Edu resigned from the post last month.

The Brazilian has agreed a deal in principle to lead Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis’ inter-club group, and ESPN reported at the time that many Arsenal staff were shocked by his decision to leave the club.

Arsenal therefore had no succession plan.

Assistant technical director Jason Ayto has stepped up in the meantime, with Garlick also able to support him in the January transfer window.

With January expected to be a quiet month for Arsenal barring any unforeseen injuries or market opportunities, the club is not under any pressing pressure to replace Edu – who is on six-month gardening leave – but Ashworth’s availability is Given that Ashworth is available, both his ancestry and his antecedents with Garlick are of clear interest.

United declined to confirm whether Ashworth had been given gardening leave or whether another legal issue prevented him from taking another job.

Edu’s successor will be chosen by a leadership team including Garlick, manager Mikel Arteta, board member Tim Lewis and co-chairman Josh Kroenke.

Sources have told ESPN that Arsenal will continue to follow a careful process to narrow down candidates and identify the right personality profile before formally approaching an individual.

Candidates from around the world are being considered and there is consensus that Edu’s background as a former Arsenal player and member of the Invincibles squad will be difficult to replicate.