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

Limited 10k places left as Great Manchester Run half marathon sells out once again

Danny Jones Danny Jones are there great manchester run 10k places left?

The AJ Bell Great Manchester Run half marathon has officially sold out yet again for 2025, with just a small number of 10k places left.

With thousands of Mancs and visitors to the region having earned themselves glory at this year’s Manchester Marathon, attention has already turned to the next big event: the Great MCR Run.

Returning for its 22nd year, AJ Bell is bringing the Great Manchester Run back to the city and while tickets for the longest distance may have been snapped up as per, anyone debating taking on the 10k still has time to get their bib through the post.

Go on, you know what want the finish line feeling – not to mention a shiny new medal to score some well-deserved free pints on the day.

Yes, while spaces on the Great Manchester Run have already sold out in no time, there are are now less than 500 still left to grab for the 10k.

The question is, will you be one of them?

Final entries are available for £45 but there are also a select few charity places for anyone who backs themself to raise enough money before race day.

Taking place on Sunday, 18 May, with the first runners getting underway from approximately 8:10am, you’ve not got long to decide whether you want to be part of the action.

Having done it multiple times ourselves and with a local gold-medal-winning Olympian getting things underway this year, we can’t recommend it enough.

Credit: AJ Bell

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It’s worth also worth noting that if you missed out on the half marathon this year but fancy giving the next one a go, you can set a reminder for 2026 entries now.

One final thing: last minute Great Manchester Run entrants for the 10k must be aged 15 and over; a booking fee of £2.50 per entry will also applied at checkout.

Beyond that, provided you’ve got the training under your belt/you already a solid fitness base, the only thing that’s left to do is get ready for the starting gun. You can even take part in the official shake-out run, if you fancy it.

See you for the post-race pints and hopefully some PB showboating!

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — AJ Bell Great Manchester Run

Sport

A massive Manchester United fan zone is being set up for the Europa League final – if they make it…

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester United fan zone Europa League final

With the second leg of the Europa League semis looming, in which Manchester United could make it through to the final, a massive fan zone is being tentatively set up.

In truth, they should make it to the conclusion of the UEFA competition – a decider that could see them qualify for the Champions League – given that they took a 3-0 lead back to Old Trafford following the impressive away fixture, but if Man United have proved anything of late, its that they’re unpredictable.

Touch wood, if they make it to the final, supporter park specialists 4 The Fans – the same team behind the huge sites at the likes of Manchester’s Secret City, Love Factory and the Progress Centre for Euro 2024 – are putting one of the biggest fan zones yet.

As always with football, nothing is quite guaranteed, and despite a health advantage that should see them over the line, we’ve seen this side do the unlikeliest of things with leads in recent times. Case and point, that frankly ridiculous Lyon comeback.

man united fan zone manchester europa league
A massive Man United fan zone is on the cards for this year’s Europa League final. (Credit: 4 The Fans)

Provided the Red Devils get the job done on their end, 4 The Fans are committed to putting on a huge fan zone over in Stretford, and with well over 50,000 fans attending their events over the last three years, it’s sure to be a mega atmosphere.

4 The Fans are giving us real Euro vibes with their upcoming plans.

Set to take over the Bowlers Exhibition Centre, a.k.a. the BEC Arena over in Stretford, the enormous events space will be transformed into one of their biggest fan zones to date, with the biggest screen in Manchester. 

VIP seated tickets are also available, and parents are welcome to bring their kids along to the family-friendly event.

Once again, this all hinges on whether or not Man United make it past Athletic Club and book a return trip for the Europa League final, which also happens to be taking place in Bilbao.

However, one of the best bits about all of this is that, in addition to the strong chance of going through, tickets are already available, and supporters are guaranteed their money back if Ruben Amorim’s side manages to capitulate.

No harm, no foul.

bec arena football fan zone
man united fan park bowlers stretford
Past scenes from international tournaments. (Credit: Supplied)

If the idea of being surrounded by fellow Reds for the game isn’t an attractive enough prospect on its own for you, United fans, the event is also set to be hosted by a club legend (still yet to be announced), with DJs and music, as well as special effects throughout.

Of course, there’ll be plenty of pints and scran to fuel the promoter’s famous fan energy on offer too, so you really will be sorted from start to finish.

Doors to the BEC open at 5:30pm, with last entry at 7:30pm ahead of the 8pm kick-off; tickets start from just £8. Until then, you can watch back the highlights from the previous match down below. You can grab yours HERE.

How are you feeling for the game – do you think they’re going all the way?

Surely they can’t blow it from here, can they?…

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — 4 The Fans Events

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