Calls for ‘Marc Skinner out’ begin to grow following Manchester United Women’s recent form
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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Featured Image — BBC Sport (screenshot)/Man United Women (via X)