Manchester United’s new leadership will not rest until the club are among the most successful in Europe again, the sporting director, Dan Ashworth, has said. Ashworth, who took up his role at the start of this month, says it is not good enough for United to be only a commercial powerhouse and that they must achieve sustained sporting success. “This remains one of the biggest football clubs in the world, but that is not our measure of success,” Ashworth said in a message published on the United website. “The focus is on getting back to being among the best on the pitch. It won’t happen overnight but, together with [new chief executive] Omar [Berrada] and his new leadership team, we will not rest until we have achieved it. “We are all clear that last season fell below the required standards in the Premier League and Champions League but, by winning the FA Cup in such impressive fashion, our players and staff showed what they are capable of when everyone pulls together and performs to their potential. Our collective challenge is to reach those levels much more consistently.” United have been busy in the transfer market, bringing in the Dutch attacker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna and the highly rated French centre-back Leny Yoro from Lille. There have been a number of outgoings too, including Mason Greenwood to Marseille, Willy Kambwala to Villarreal, Donny van de Beek to Girona and free transfer moves for Omari Forson and Charlie McNeill. “Already, I can feel a strong sense of energy and determination around the group, as the players and staff return fresh from their breaks, including some exciting new additions to the squad, and to the coaching team,” Ashworth said. The minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has faced criticism and questions over how committed he is to the women’s team, who will occupy portable buildings during renovation work at the training ground to accommodate the men. Ashworth said: “Women’s football was an important part of my remit in past roles with Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion and the FA, and it will be the same at Manchester United. Women’s football is arguably the most exciting area of growth in the global game, and we want to be part of that.”