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.
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.”
This was the moment Manchester United women’s team won their first ever major trophy under Marc skinner’s regime.Thank you Skinner❤️ pic.twitter.com/kiMRVd5Md0
Im not his biggest fan, but to give him some slack, the Club are paying players poorly, selling his best players and not replacing them. Can't compete in the transfer market either. He must be able to see that the only way is downhill.
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.
Featured Images — Katie Chan (via Wikimedia Commons)/MUTV (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Manchester United’s statement in full as Michael Carrick is sacked as manager
Emily Sergeant
Manchester United has now released a formal statement following the news that Michael Carrick has been sacked with immediate effect.
Carrick – who initially played for Manchester United as a midfielder between 2006 and 2018 – was first appointed as a caretaker manager in 2021, before he went on to become the interim manager and then men’s first team head coach earlier this year.
Unfortunately though, United have struggled to find form this season – with the team winning only three of their first 15 games across all competitions.
The club’s statement reads in full: “Manchester United can confirm that Michael Carrick has departed his role as men’s first-team head coach.
“Michael rejoined the club in January and guided the team to a third-placed Premier League finish by winning 12 out of the remaining 17 games of the 2025/26 season, accumulating the highest points tally in the league during that period.
“After a disappointing start to the season, the club has come to the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions.
“Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. Just as he did as a player, he has conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism throughout his time back with the club. His leadership and achievements last season will always be fondly remembered.
“The club intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible.”
Featured Image – Sky Sports (via YouTube – screenshot)
Sport
‘We couldn’t see f**k all’ – Bizarre Altrincham FC FA Cup clash played in thick fog leaves fans baffled
Daisy Jackson
Altrincham FC’s FA Cup clash with Notts County descended into extraordinary scenes on Saturday night as thick fog engulfed the stadium, leaving supporters struggling to see the players and even broadcasters questioning what was happening.
The bizarre first-round encounter at the J Davidson Stadium saw visibility deteriorate so badly that fans resorted to holding their mobile phone torches aloft in an attempt to follow the action.
What should have been a memorable FA Cup occasion turned into something resembling a scene from a horror film, with the players increasingly disappearing into the mist.
Altrincham Today captured the surreal atmosphere, posting: “Extraordinary scenes here at the J Davidson Stadium. Visibility down to a few yards. No-one has any idea what is going on. Supporters holding mobile torches aloft, like it’s an Elton John concert. It is still 2-2, we think.”
Even television coverage struggled to make sense of the conditions.
Broadcaster Jason Mohammad joked: “Bear with us at the end of the game. We’ve not seen much of extra time where we are. We don’t have the foggiest what’s going on down the away end. Fair play – cracking game and atmosphere!”
One social media user summed up the extraordinary conditions simply, writing: “Altrincham v Notts County is currently being played in a cloud.”
Others were equally bewildered, with one supporter asking: “Spot the ball anyone? #FACup @altrinchamfc on the verge of another league scalp – although who knows what’s going on?!”
Another fan was less than impressed, posting: “Shame we couldn’t see f**k all for most of it”.
Even the stadium’s advertising boards were struggling to make an impression. James Timpson joked: “It was hard to see the investment we have made in to our pitch side advertising boards last night at Altrincham V Notts County!”
It was hard to see the investment we have made in to our pitch side advertising boards last night at Altrincham V Notts County! https://t.co/trW9imo7Xu
The unusual conditions also prompted questions over whether the match should have continued.
One Notts County supporter reflected after the game: “Unlucky guys you gave us a great game and the conditions didn’t help still say it should have been abandoned even though we scraped through!!!! Good luck for the rest of the season lads”.
And it was certainly a dramatic contest before the fog took centre stage.
Notts County initially took the lead through Jacob Bedeau in the 28th minute, but Altrincham responded through Lucas Weaver just before half-time.
Lewis Banks then put the hosts ahead in the 59th minute, raising hopes of another famous FA Cup upset against higher-league opposition.
@altrinchamfc If you say so https://t.co/6ub5YiIogD
However, Callum Roberts equalised for County in the 84th minute, sending the tie into extra time.
With neither side able to find a winner, the match went to penalties, where Notts County eventually prevailed 3-2 to book their place in the second round.
While the result was heartbreaking for Altrincham, the extraordinary conditions ensured the match would be remembered for more than just the football.
For supporters at the J Davidson Stadium, it was certainly one FA Cup tie where seeing wasn’t necessarily believing.
Danny Jones -
3rd August 2026 
