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Manchester United Women boss Marc Skinner has admitted that it was hard to hear Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recent admission that the men’s team remains INEOS’ top priority.
In a recent interview with the United We Stand (UWS) fanzine, Ratcliffe seemed to controversially brush aside the women’s team.
Ratcliffe said, “There’s only so much that you can do and our focus has been on the men’s team. If not, you get spread too thinly. We need to sort out the main issue, the men’s team. The women’s team is an opportunity. Women’s football is growing really quickly in popularity and size. We need to participate in that.”
“The girls wear a Manchester United badge on their shirt and they’re representing the club.”
Unsurprisingly, Ratcliffe’s remarks sparked the anger of a section of supporters.
However, according to Skinner, he still feels the support of the owners.
Skinner said in his pre-match press conference on Friday [as quoted by The Athletic], “Words are cheap but actions last longer.”
“I see the actions. It’s hard for me to hear those comments but actually that’s not what I see from the (INEOS) working group that is with us everyday.”
“Would I love the biggest budget in the league? Of course I would, I think everyone would. Everyone in this room wants a sustainable game. We want to grow, we want women to have the same rights, to grow those rights, to have the finances available for all resources. But unfortunately we’ve got to work for that because we’re starting from behind.”
Skinner added, “Support isn’t always finance. It’s knowing you’ve got a strategy. I feel supported in the fact that everybody in this club wants our team to do well and we’re going to grow towards a sustainable model.”
“There’s a lot reported about us and I understand why. But when you feel it, when you’re internal, it’s not a lie. We’re not lying. But there are different ways you can show support.”
Skinner has also come under pressure after claiming there was”a love and affinity” shown by Ratcliffe’s INEOS group.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright insisted that Skinner made a “poor decision” by failing to confront the issues plaguing his side in favour of “dancing for the owner”.
Skinner said about this, “I don’t hear [the criticism]. I know, because I get reports on what people say. I’m in a job where you naturally feel the pressures of a situation. Of course I do, I’m human.”
“When people say things that are not necessarily true about you it can affect the way you think, but actually I’m used to it. I’m used to dealing with that pressure.”
“I don’t think there’s many managers that come under as much as I do. In that sense, I’m hardened to it. But there’s a balance between hardening to it and also doing your job effectively and being human still.”
“I’m sure Ian [Wright] has his reasons to think that and his rationales as to why he needs to push that remit. But I sit comfortably in the understanding of what I need to do for this club and to push the team forwards.”
United Women are back in action on Sunday when they take on Crystal Palace at Borough Sports Ground. Kick-off is at 14:00 GMT.
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