Sport

Marc Skinner to stay on as Man United Women’s manager after FA Cup despite calls to be sacked

The right move?

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 17th May 2024

Manchester United Women’s manager Marc Skinner is set to stay on at the club after signing a new contract extension following their historic FA Cup win.

The decision to keep him on has split opinion amongst the supporters as many have been calling for Skinner to be sacked for several months now following a difficult domestic season.

Man United Women lifted the Women’s FA Cup for the first time in their history this past Sunday, with an impressive 4-0 win over Spurs to prove the kind of football they can play at their best but, for some, it simply isn’t enough to make up for the performances in the Women’s Super League.

Nevertheless, the club confirmed that they have given the 41-year-old a new one-year deal, with the option to extend for a further 12 months.

As you can see, it hasn’t gone down well with everyone, as even despite the landmark piece of silverware it appears the ‘Skinner Out’ section of the fan base is still dead set on starting a new chapter.

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Many of those calling for a change in leadership aren’t even so set on moving forward per se either, as a good chunk of the suggestions are to simply bring back the previous Man United Women‘s coach and former player, Casey Stoney, who stepped down in May 2021 after more than three years in charge.

Having won the FA Women’s Championship title and promotion to the WSL in the club’s inaugural season after reforming following a 13-year absence, she still has a lot of fans around the club.

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Meanwhile, Skinner’s side failed to make it through the Champions League group-stage qualifiers against PSG in October last year and can finish no higher than fourth if they win their final game of the season this weekend – and that’s only on goal difference and if Liverpool fail to pick up points in their closer.

Speaking on the contraction extension, Marc Skinner said: “It’s an honour to extend my stay at Manchester United. I’ve always felt at home here, with our excellent players, staff, and fans.

“Being able to secure the team’s first major trophy at Wembley was a real career highlight for me and another sign of our continued growth, on and off the field. Thanks to everyone who has supported me on this journey, and I look forward to creating many more winning memories together.”

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His detractors have remarked, “This guy should have gotten the sack he is not the manager to take this team forward that FA Cup win has helped him scale through”, with another writing: “Ohhhhhhh no we never winning WSL then. This club is clueless”.

However, there are still plenty rallying to his defence, with several commenters congratulating him on the renewal, while others have been trying to find the middle ground.

As one user put it: “I don’t believe you can sack a manager after having won your club’s first cup final 4-0. But it’s very telling that it’s only a one-year extension. Let’s see what the future brings.”

The Red Devils take on title hopefuls Chelsea in the last game of the season and will be hoping to round off the year on the highest note possible following the jubilant scenes at Wembley.

What about you, Reds – do you think it’s the right decision?

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Featured Images — Manchester United Women

Sport

Tyson Fury says he hasn’t spoken to his wife in ‘three months’ whilst preparing for Usyk rematch

Danny Jones Danny Jones Tyson Fury hasn't spoke to his wife Paris for three months preparing for Usyk 2 rematch

Tyson Fury says hasn’t spoken to his wife Paris for three whole months while preparing for the much-anticipated Oleksandr Usyk rematch.

The Manc fighter is set to face the Ukrainian counterpart in the ‘Undisputed’ sequel, simply dubbed Fury vs Usyk 2, which will result in one unified heavyweight champion of the world.

Usyk’s victory over the Wythenshawe-born boxer back in May saw him take that title for the first time since 1999 (the only man to have done so in the four-belt era) but with the rematch nearly upon us, Fury could be set to steal that title away from him.

With that in mind, the pressure has clearly been on ever since he lost the first bout and, according to Tyson himself, he hasn’t spoken to his wife Paris Fury for virtually a quarter of a year as part of his immensely strict training camp.

Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of the match this weekend, he claimed: “I haven’t spoke to Paris in three months – not a word. [I’ve] not spoke to anyone, I haven’t been on my phone.”

Explaining that he simply removed all distractions to get his head in the right space ahead of the title decider, ‘The Gypsy King’ has been known to isolate himself from the rest of the world before a big fight in the past, but cutting contact with your spouse of 10 years and partner for nearly two decades is wild.

The 36-year-old went on to detail that in order to give himself the best shot at winning, he couldn’t keep switching between “beast mode to dad mode to wife mode” and so on.

In separate interviews with other outlets ahead of the highly-awaited rematch, Fury has made various other big claims about what boxing fans can expect from his own performance, including an admission that he needs to be “more focused this time and not do as much showboating” in the ring.

Nevertheless, he also assured the media that he isn’t a quitter and has promised he will not just “f*** up” his 37-year-old opponent but “retire” him. Usyk, on the other hand, has warned he will be a different challenge than the last time the two faced each other, predicting a knockout victory too.

Having downed Tyson more than once the last time around, he’s understandably confident of his chances.

Bold words from the pair of them, indeed, but this is all just part and parcel of the usual pre-fight build-up; all we really know is that Usyk won the previous face-off and Fury is the one with the point to prove.

While younger brother Tommy Fury recently had to pull out of his scheduled fight against Darren Till, during which tensions seriously boiled over during the first press conference, it looks as though there is no risk of more cancellations and any more ‘will they won’t they?’ antics between these two at least.

The rematch, or ‘Fury vs Usyk 2: Undisputed’ to give use its full title (the latest in Saudi Arabia’s growing fight scene and live sports programming as part of Riyadh Season) takes place this Saturday, 21 December, with the two set to clash once again from 10:25 GMT.

Who do you think will emerge victorious from this one and, more importantly, when do you think we’ll see the third and ‘final’ fight when they inevitably demand a trilogy?…

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Featured Images — paul62_2017 (via Flickr)/Netflix (via screenshot)

Sport

A Manchester City fan has died after a medical incident at Manchester derby

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Manchester City has confirmed one of its supporters has died after a medical incident at the derby match. Credit: The Manc Group

A Manchester City fan has tragically passed away after a medical incident at the Manchester derby yesterday.

The club has confirmed that one of the club’s supporters died after collapsing during the match against Manchester United.

They wrote: “Manchester City are aware of the tragic news that one of our supporters passed away following a medical incident at yesterday’s match.

“The thoughts of everyone at the Club are with their family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”

Man City and Manchester United faced off at the Etihad Stadium yesterday, with Man United eventually taking the win thanks to a 90th-minute goal by Amad Diallo.

An eyewitness told the Manchester Evening News they saw the fan being administered CPR at around 4:10pm.

People have been leaving tributes to the Manchester City fan, who has not yet been named, online.

One person wrote: “RIP that city fan. No one should go to a football match and not come home again. RIP”

Another said: “An important reminder amongst all the squabbling over yesterday’s result is that the football isn’t everything. Thoughts are with his family, RIP blue.”

Someone else posted: “Rip blue. Thoughts are with your family and friends at this sad time.”

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Featured Image – The Manc Group

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