Marc Skinner leaves Manchester United Women
Skinner’s departure and club’s new direction
Marc Skinner has departed Manchester United Women, just one month before the start of their Women’s Super League (WSL) season. The decision to part ways with Skinner followed discussions over the summer regarding the club’s future direction. Manchester United is scheduled to begin their season against London City Lionesses on September 4.
The club stated that Skinner made a significant contribution to the progress of Manchester United Women, expressing thanks for his professionalism, commitment, and dedication during his five years at the club. Skinner led the team to their first major honour, winning the Women’s FA Cup in 2024. Under his leadership, Manchester United also achieved their highest domestic finish, coming second in the WSL in 2023, and reached the group stages of the Women’s Champions League for the first time last year. Last season, the team finished fourth in the WSL.
A change in the team’s ethos is underway, with the club now focusing on its academy and developing players from within to compete for silverware. This approach contrasts with the previous target of winning the league by 2028, which was set when INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe took over the club in December 2023. The club believes that significant investment in the academy will lead to long-term success, viewing high investment in the transfer market as unsustainable due to a perceived lack of return on investment in star players and high wages.
Investment concerns and squad changes
Investment in the women’s team has been a contentious issue since the change in ownership. In June 2024, Sir Jim Ratcliffe indicated that the women’s team had not been a priority, with focus primarily on the men’s first-team issues. Even as recently as April, Skinner, who had signed a new two-year deal last summer, advocated for more investment to enable the team to compete effectively.
Manchester United has seen several player departures. Melvine Malard moved to Chelsea this summer, and previously, Alessia Russo joined Arsenal, and Mary Earps moved to PSG before returning to face her former side in the Champions League. Millie Turner and Leah Galton, who joined the club in 2018, have also left recently, leaving only Ella Toone from that initial squad. Toone’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season.
The club’s focus on youth is evident with only two new arrivals so far: defender Andrea Medina and goalkeeper Janina Leitzig. Manchester United is reportedly concerned about the increasing costs associated with competing for the WSL title, while other top teams like Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea have significantly strengthened their squads. Tottenham and Everton have also signed multiple players with WSL experience, and London City Lionesses are investing to improve their team.
Playing style and challenges ahead
Skinner’s playing style also drew criticism, with issues regarding consistency. While the team showed progress at times, maintaining pace and intensity over 90 minutes was often a challenge, leading to varied performances between halves or games. Despite this, Manchester United’s attack was fairly consistent during Skinner’s five seasons, often ranking fourth in the league for goals and other metrics.
However, defensive inconsistency was a notable issue. While goals conceded remained relatively low, other defensive metrics varied significantly each season. Defensive frailties were highlighted in key matches, such as the League Cup final against Chelsea and a Champions League quarter-final against Bayern, where late lapses in concentration proved costly.
Skinner’s record against top teams was mixed; he never beat Chelsea in the WSL during his five years at the club, though he did secure a cup victory against them in 2024 en route to the FA Cup title. In the 2022/23 season, he was unbeaten against Arsenal and Manchester City. He played out goalless draws in both WSL meetings with Arsenal last term. The incoming head coach will face an immediate test, with Manchester United scheduled to play both Chelsea and Arsenal in their first four WSL fixtures.
Source: skysports.com
