Marc Skinner says league title is the target for Manchester United Women and dismisses criticism of training facilities
MARC SKINNER hit back at critics calling on Manchester United “to do better” and insists his side’s aim is to win the league.
And he dismissed controversy surrounding his women’s squad’s move into temporary buildings at Carrington.
Two days ago Skinner, 41, shared his thoughts on Man United’s efforts last term and their pre-season preparations ahead of the Friday September 20th start of the new WSL season.
His side are due to face West Ham at home in their first game of the 2024-24 Women’s Super League campaign.
The Red Devils boss also reflected on the reaction to United’s women’s side’s move out of their £10m facility and into portable buildings.
The temporary move in June was so their Premier League counterparts could use their site with United’s Carrington training complex undergoing a £50million renovation.
Skinner said: “You reported on it and it didn’t sound great. But it couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Everyone in our club has moved. They have all moved to incorporate the growth of Carrington.
“It wasn’t ready for Manchester United Women four years ago.
“The club did fantastically well to spend on the new facility to get new pitches. You have to know that because it’s a historical thing.”
This summer saw United’s WSL stars temporarily use England’s St George’s Park pitches for training in pre-season.
This week the team returned to Carrington and according to the club they will have access to refurbished dedicated women’s pitches and use of a gym previously used by the men’s side.
Skinner adds: “We went to St George’s Park which was a brilliant experience as we got to gel together.
“But our training pitches that we will have every day are better than St George’s Park.
“Ours are newer. You would eat your breakfast off our pitches – they are incredible.
“We are training in a facility that has been built on site for our players.
“From my perspective, everything is growing from there.
“We played Blackburn in a pre-season friendly and in the car park, Bruno Fernandes walks past.
“They trained right in front of us while we ate so we got to see them as well.
“He came back, asked if we had a game then he came to watch the second half after he had showered and got changed.
“He spoke to all the players. We have a better relationship now because we’re all crossing over.”
United’s return to training at Carrington, following a pre-season camp in Marbella, Spain, comes just over a week before their first game of the new season.
Making a negative story probably feels good for everyone outside (Manchester United). We want to do better. We want to win the league.
Marc Skinner
Last term while they won the Women’s FA Cup for first time, they endured a difficult end to their league campaign.
The team finished fifth for the first time in the top-flight after a 6-0 loss to Chelsea.
This summer saw Mary Earps’ leave the club following her contract expiring with the England goalkeeper, 31, joining Paris Saint-Germain in July.
And former skipper Katie Zelem, 28, left in June before joining Angel City as a free agent in August.
However United have since reinforced their attacking, defensive and midfield ranks.
Their summer signings include ex-Arsenal and Wolfsburg centre-back Dominique Janssen and Norway striker Elisabeth Terland who joined from Brighton.
The Red Devils have also been boosted by Lioness Grace Clinton’s return following a standout spell on loan at Tottenham last term.
This month the club signed Celin Bizet with the Norway forward joining from Tottenham on a three-year deal.
Meanwhile full-back Gabby George has returned to fitness following her recovery from a knee ligament rupture sustained last October.
And Skinner hopes George’s and Clinton’s return and his new signings can help Man United produce the form that saw them finish two points behind champions Chelsea last year.
He said: “Making a negative story probably feels good for everyone outside.
“They say ‘Manchester United needs to do better’.
“We want to do better, we do. We want to win the league, that’s our aim.
“We want to win trophies. We want to try to get into the Champions League but it’s not a given.”
Following Zelem’s departure Skinner has handed the captain’s armband to Maya Le Tissier.
And her United and England team-mate Ella Toone, 25, named as vice-skipper.
Since her move from Brighton, Le Tissier has played 44 top-flight games for Man United – featuring in all their WSL matches in the past two years.
And alongside Toone the defender, 22, has evolved into a senior figure in the side, with both players impressing in their teams FA Cup final defeat of Tottenham in May.
Skinner added: “When I look at the two captains, Maya literally breathes football.
“She embodies this unforgiving, relentless nature I want in my time.
“She wants to win at all costs and is all in. She plays every minute for us.
“I wanted Tooney in there alongside her.
“I felt if there is any girl or any boy that looks at Manchester United, then who better to represent it than a famous number seven that has grown up a Manchester United fan all her life.
“I want this spirit so people believe in the people there and can grow with this team.”