Sport

Marc Skinner leaves Manchester United Women after half a decade

Is it the right call?

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 3rd August 2026

Manchester United Women’s team boss Marc Skinner has officially left the club after half a decade at the helm ahead of the upcoming WSL season.

Spending five fairly fluctuating years in charge of the women’s Red Devils side, to put it mildly, the 43-year-old departs after having led MUWFC to their only ‘major trophy’ in the modern era with their FA Cup win back in May 2024.

He only signed a new two-year deal last summer, with an option to extend by a further 12 months, but a supposed ‘breakdown in relationships’ looks to have cut that commitment short.

Man United announced the news on Monday, 3 August, and it’s safe to say that not everyone is in agreement over his contract being terminated.

Multiple outlets have claimed that Skinner had been pushing for more backing when it came to recruitment, especially with so many teams levelling up and spending a significant amount in the Women’s Super League – and that’s just in this transfer window alone.

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Conversely, a good chunk of the former Birmingham and Orlando Pride manager’s tenure involved saying goodbye to big and/or key players who have served the team well, including Alessia Russo, Katie Zelem, Hannah Blundell, Leah Galton, Millie Turner, Melvine Malard and Lucia Garcia.

Meanwhile, under INEOS, United have brought in very limited reinforcements of late – recently reiterating that they wanted to turn to the youth ranks instead, according to reports – and the divisive ownership have been heavily criticised for their treatment of the women’s squad and facilities.

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As The Athletic journalist Carl Anka put it on X, it feels like “All change at the club”, adding that “you could feel Skinner was getting frustrated over the relative lack of investment in the team.

Joining the countless reactions online, one user said, “Thanks for the memories but it was time to move on”, while another even went so far as to add, “The best decision done ever.”

That being said, and protest banners at Leigh Sports Village aside, there are seemingly just as many that have come to his defence…

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Issuing a passionate response in the comments under the official United post confirming the parting of ways, another supporter wrote: “Fans may have seen so many things wrong with him. But he was an incredible guy, THANK YOU for everything, Marc.

“You gave me so many memories supporting this great club, gave me so much of your time. Made me feel like me again. I will support you always in your next steps.”

So he clearly has had some detractors of late, but there are still plenty of people who have remained behind even during difficult times; whether or not claims of him offering his resignation or counter arguments that he was ‘eventually going to be sacked’ come out in the wash, only time will tell.

How would you assess his time at the club, Reds?

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Featured Images — Katie Chan (via Wikimedia Commons)/MUTV (screenshot via YouTube)

Sport

Greater Manchester’s ‘Stroll for Salford’ walking event returns for its second year in 2026

Danny Jones Danny Jones Stroll for Salford 2026 date

Following its successful debut last year, Greater Manchester’s now much-loved Stroll for Salford (SfS) event is back for 2026 this autumn.

We’d like to think everyone from around here is filled with hometown pride, but you ask anyone from Salford, and they’ll quickly remind you that this place is its own city, and that it quite rightly deserves celebrating all of its own.

And that’s exactly what the SfS is all about: not just toasting it as the region’s so-called ‘second city’, but as the culturally abundant place that it is and has been for more than 100 years.

Yes, with this sophomore edition following on from the borough celebrating its official Centenary, what better time to hail all things Salfordian.

Set up by Salford City FC and the partnered charity arm, Foundation 92, the inaugural walk raised more than £3,000 for charity with its maiden event.

Thousands got behind the cause, be it through volunteering and/or donating, as well as talking on the walking route itself back in October.

It’s actually happening a little earlier this time, with the second Stroll for Salford scheduled for Saturday, 19 September.

Kicking off from 10am, those taking part will be setting out on foot for a six-mile journey across the city, starting at the likes of the Civic Centre in Swinton, before passing through other key towns and finishing, of course, at Salford’s AIG Stadium on Moor Lane in Kersal.

The local League Two side continues to do plenty of important work in and around the community – this is just one of many recent, well-received initiatives.

As mentioned earlier, those getting involved will not only receive a special Salford t-shirt following the event alongside a finisher’s medal, but even a complimentary ticket to go and see ‘The Ammies’ in action at their home ground this season.

Not a bad deal at all.

For anyone uninitiated interested in coming along the journey, the route will also pass several key landmarks and a real sense of local history – all while doing your bit for a good cause.

You can help raise important funds for the local area and sign up for the Stroll for Salford 2026 HERE.

Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, another wholesome all-ages event is fast-approaching this August, too; keep on reading to find out all about it…

Manchester to celebrate National Play Day next week with 100+ FREE activities for families
Another public event to be made the most of.

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Featured Images — Eugene Regis (via Flickr)/Salford City Football Club (press shot via X)

Sport

Manchester City are offering North West kids the chance to win a team training session

Danny Jones Danny Jones Man City kids training sessions

Manchester City are offering kids across the North West a chance to win a free team training session as part of their latest grassroots competition.

Teaming up with their official sleep partners and well-known British mattress brand, Silentnight, Man City are once again giving children throughout the region the opportunity to train at the Etihad Campus itself.

Better still, all the kids have to do is what they already live and breathe to do: play footy.

Alongside the competition, they’re dishing out free advice for parents to help ensure their children get the proper rest and recovery they need through a good night’s sleep.

man city training ground sessions
dream big silentnight
Credit: The Manc Group/supplied

Continuing to promote how a good sleep in a proper bed can do wonders when it comes not only to fitness and staying active but overall health, this is part of their wider ‘Dream Big’ campaign.

Put in the simplest terms, as part of this initiative, young football teams across the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester and beyond are able to be nominated by coaches, parents, guardians or club representatives for this special scheme.

The exclusive coaching session, for whoever is fortunate enough to earn it, will be delivered directly by a professional MCFC coach at The City Football Academy.

Even better still, the winning team will also receive free Man City kits, not to mention Silentnight Healthy Growth Kids mattresses.

Speaking ahead of the event, Manchester City’s Vice President of Partnerships, Marketing and Operations, Mark Lambert, said in a statement: “Our partnership with Silentnight is built on a shared commitment to supporting healthier, more active lives, so it’s great to come together on Dream Big.

“Grassroots football plays a vital role in inspiring young players and bringing communities together, and we’re looking forward to welcoming the winning team to the City Football Academy for what we hope will be a memorable experience.”

It’s not the only big thing they’re doing to help promote grassroots football in the local area, either.

Kathryn Pinkham, sleep expert at Silentnight, went on to add: “When children are busy with school, training, matches and everything else that comes with family life, sleep can sometimes slip down the priority list.

“But for young footballers, getting enough good-quality rest can make such a difference – helping them recover after games, concentrate at school and enjoy their sport. The 10-Step Sleep Guide is designed to give families simple, practical tips they can actually use at home.”

Man City’s kids’ coaching sessions will take place on Wednesday, 19 August from 1-3pm, and applications are already live; the window closes at 11:59pm this coming Monday (3 Aug).

To find out more and put a team name forward – made up of players aged seven and over, with no more than a two-year age gap between the youngest and oldest player – you can do so HERE.

Manchester City auctioning off exclusive ‘artefacts’ from Pep Guardiola’s office

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Press shot — Publicity picture (via Manchester City Football Club)/The Manc Group

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