By Frank Dalleres Dan Ashworth has finally begun work as Manchester United sporting director following a four-month stand-off with Newcastle United over compensation. Ashworth, who was previously at Brighton and Hove Albion and the England set-up, was placed on gardening leave in February after telling Newcastle he wanted to move to Old Trafford. Manchester United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe refused to pay the £20m compensation demanded and Ashworth vowed to take his employer to a tribunal. But negotiations in the last few days have broken the deadlock, reportedly aided by Newcastle’s need to…