Calls for ‘Marc Skinner out’ are beginning to grow amongst some Manchester United supporters following another loss for the women’s team, this time in the shape of a derby defeat against Man City in the cup.
Skinner’s recent results have seen protests from a section of Man United Women‘s fans, with the disappointment against City in the FA Women’s Continental League Cup just days after their Women’s Super League defeat to Chelsea making it three losses in the last five games.
The women’s coach insisted “he will get it right” and is “absolutely secure” in his job after the result last Sunday, but given this latest loss to their local rivals and title challengers once again this season, it seems the patience of some supporters is starting to slip.
Replying to United Women’s post on X, fans had plenty to say: “Skinner out. This is disgraceful”, “Uslelss clown”; plenty also called for the return of previous head coach Casey Stoney.
Nevertheless, speaking after the game last night, the 40-year-old said every player and member of staff was “excellent” and that they simply need to be more clinical when it comes to taking their chances. Whether the majority of fans agree remains to be seen.
Commenting underneath The Manc‘s own full-time post on Wednesday night, fans doubled down in the criticism by suggesting that despite what they perceived as a “shocking” performance from the refer, a 2-1 scoreline ultimately “flattered” United.
The former Birmingham City and Orlando pride manager was appointed as the United Women’s boss in 2021 and led them to the FA Cup final last season, ultimately finishing as runners-up, and only just missed out on a first WSL title as they fell two points short of 22/23 winners Chelsea’s tally.
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Sports writer Kathryn Batte says that the “loud calls for Marc Skinner’s head at Manchester United are like nothing we’ve heard before in the women’s game”.
The chanting and signs witnessed in the way end from last week alone certainly seem to suggest so.
Despite the man himself defending their right to be frustrated of late, many of the fans have grown even more staunch in their opposition after they were reportedly told to stop chanting ‘Skinner Out’ at a recent league game.
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As per The Athletic, a group of supporters who travelled to Malta to see United play in a friendly against PSV say they were told by club security to refrain from the chants at half-time and went on to issue an official complaint via the Manchester United Women Supporters group via email.
There are still plenty of games left to play and the team’s performance in the group stages of the cup was enough to see them qualify but the sentiment amongst the stands seems to be shifting.
Perhaps it’s because these are the kind of scenes we more readily associate with men’s football but the atmosphere around Leigh Sports Village is far from ideal at the moment.
Featured Image — BBC Sport (screenshot)/Man United Women (via X)
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Luxury Manchester gym Blok confirms permanent closure after weeks of uncertainty
Daisy Jackson
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure, weeks after the doors to the premium fitness facility mysteriously closed.
Around a fortnight ago, members began to arrive to their classes to find the gym on Ducie Street locked up and a forfeiture notice on the door – but at the time, Blok said that it was fighting to reopen.
Sadly, in an email sent to members today, its founder has confirmed that the studio is now permanently closed.
Blok – which has several very successful sites down in London – said that its relationship with its landlord has ‘broken down to a point where trust has been lost’.
The gym wrote that it’s been left with ‘no workable way forward’.
They said: “BLOK Manchester was a space built by our loyal and dedicated community. Whether you joined us for one class or one hundred, we are deeply grateful. You helped create something genuinely special in an incredible city.”
In the immediate future, they said they’ll be supporting the team of fantastic trainers who worked here, as well as looking after members.
Members will be contacted within a few hours with options and refunds owed.
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure. Credit: The Manc Group
CEO and founder Ed Stanbury said: “While this marks the end of a chapter, we don’t see it as the end of our story in Manchester. We’re already speaking with developers about potential future sites and remain committed to returning to the city when the time is right.
“Thank you for being part of our story so far. Let’s shape the future of wellness. The mission continues.”
Commenting on Blok’s Instagram post – its first in almost a fortnight – people have been sharing their sadness at the closure of its Manchester site.
One person wrote: “beautiful space, beautiful staff and beautiful community.”
Another said: “Sending love to all the instructors !! :(((( gutted”
Someone else commented: “THE BEST CLASSES. I’m gutted.”
Manchester City plotting spending spree ‘before’ Club World Cup
Danny Jones
Manchester City are set to embark on somewhat of a spending spree this summer transfer window as the club’s higher-ups are looking to get business done before the 2025 Club World Cup.
With FIFA’s intercontinental club competition set to get underway in mid-June, the Blues don’t have too long to welcome in new players, but Man City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has reiterated their urgency regarding recruitment.
Despite having brought in four new acquisitions in a very short space of time last season, the 50-year-old argued that he wasn’t completely happy with the extent and speed of their business.
Giving a lengthy interview this week, CFG‘s founding chairman has imposed an internal deadline ahead of the lucrative knockout competition.
Speaking with club media, Khaldoon recognised that while there were incomings in January of this year, he believes they “should have been more aggressive in some of the changes we needed to do, adding that he believes it “cost [them].”
“I can tell you today, we have clearly identified who exactly [the targets are], in what positions, and we have our clear number one option, our clear number two option”, he continues.
More importantly, he goes on to add: “We’ll go about our business, and it will be very clear, very swift. Our objective is to try to be ready with the new squad for the Club World Cup.”
He also suggested the flurry of activity this past January was not just atypical of the administration, but felt the squad fell into a crisis state with the number of injuries, insisting they “had to act.”
City have already been linked with a hugely talented and highly-rated European target in the wake of Kevin De Bruyne‘s departure and a lack of strength in depth in midfield.
An initial bid is said to have been received already and will likely be the first of many City summer signings.
He also insisted that the players who joined last season weren’t scattershot, emergency transfers (perhaps barring the resigning of İlkay Gündoğan) but were the start of the rebuild and “gives [fans] an idea of what’s coming this summer.”
Another player linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium is Lyon star Rayan Cherki, who scored in big moments during their Europa League run this year, registering 32 goal contributions across all competitions throughout the 24/25 campaign.
Who would you like to see added to Pep Guardiola’s side this summer, then, Man City fans?
You can watch Khaldoon Al Mubarak’s interview in full down below:
Danny Jones -
25th January 2024 
