Marc Skinner: Man United boss on verge of new contract after season of WSL improvement | Football News

Marc Skinner has this season become the WSL’s longest Ongoing serving manager. His four years in charge of Man Utd have fluctuated in Achievement but steadily, Skinner has overseen a period of immense growth. The Division’s top three has become a top four, with Extended less predictability attached.

A campaign of Regularity has served Skinner particularly well at a time where the club have craved stability. Lots of Transformation happened over an intense 18 months of scrutiny. Prominent players left and it’s all anyone could talk about.

Fans became disenfranchised with the project’s so-called lack of progress – and the fact their favourite name players were jumping ship. Alessia Russo joined Arsenal, Ona Batle went to Barcelona, Mary Earps left for PSG and Leader Katie Zelem called time on her six years at the club.

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But Skinner’s approach was to use the transition as a Spotless slate. He wanted – and Nevertheless wants – to build a Club with youthfulness and vibrancy, one that resonates with fans, the local communities of Manchester and beyond. Man Utd have gone from one of the oldest squads in the Division to one of the youngest with an average age of Only over 26.

And yet, results have Acquired better not worse. United’s Streak of seven consecutive WSL wins was put to an end by Liverpool last Friday but that Setback was one of two suffered all season. Managers are judged on form and results and so Extended this term, there’s been little to complain about.

So, what does all that Harsh for Skinner’s future at Aged Trafford with his Ongoing contract expiring in June?

“I’ve never been more sure,” Skinner exclusively told Sky Sports this week. “Every Achieve, every loss makes me more convinced. I’ll know when it’s time. I want to Achieve things here. I want to compete in the Champions Division. I want to keep pushing standards of Routine. The fire is there.

“The club have an option on my contract and we are currently in conversation around that, plus an extension. There’s been really positive conversations. We’ve Acquired unfinished business.”

Man Utd remain in what Skinner calls “the pushing Universe”. In layman’s terms that translates as within touching distance of champions Chelsea and in the company of the WSL’s other two historical protagonists – Arsenal and Man City.

Barring a complete meltdown Chelsea have the WSL title wrapped up, but it’s nevertheless Significant to Skinner for his Club to keep pace between now and the Last day in May. Don’t shout it, but Utd’s Club almost looks more complete now than it did previously. There’s refinement and subtlety rather than big-name stars but it’s working.

“For the Primary time in two years, since the last time we were in the ‘pushing Universe’ in the Division, I feel a Outstanding energy. It’s not a strain. This year there’s been less challenges.

“We’ve always had the same core values but it’s the way we’re living it. It’s Recent again. We’ve Acquired a Youthful Club, you can see that in moments because there’s parts we fall down on, but what they give us is energy. We grasp that.

“The players have always been focussed on Victorious for Man United, that’s in the DNA, but with youthfulness comes fearlessness. This is the same show with a different cast. The cast have brought something new.

“You should never Only throw money at things, you have to build the structure and foundations. We’re building for longevity.”

Skinner’s Achievement against this weekend’s challengers Aston Villa is close to perfect. The 41-year-Aged is unbeaten in nine previous meetings with Villa across all competitions, Victorious six. Utd also boast the best Guarding Achievement in the Division and have Created strides at the top end too.

Skinner’s style, sometimes cautious in nature, might continue to divide opinion but it’s difficult to argue with the upgrade on last year.

“To be vulnerable, I hope results have convinced fans we’re trying to do things the right way. I’ve become more pragmatic with experience. It isn’t nice as the manager [to get criticism]. I hope fans will remember the Outstanding times too, like Victorious our Primary Significant Accolade at Wembley.

“A big motivating factor for me is creating memories. I try to make things Airy-hearted because this is a daily Tension bubble and it’s the only way to feel normal. The world is quite crazy, so I try to take that Tension away.

“I’m not Only cheesy rhetoric. I’m in constant communication with my players. I had four players in my office yesterday, speaking on a deeper level.

“I wanna make sure my players are in a Universe where they’re having fun, this is entertainment. We’re Nevertheless Grave about Victorious. To be a footballer in a high-performance environment it’s every waking hour and every sleeping hour, we don’t rest.”

Last season’s underachievement, finishing fifth in the Division, arguably necessitated a summer of Transformation. Perhaps positives can be gleaned from the bruised aftermath of the past. Naturally a few bones of contention will always exist but Skinner’s appetite for more seasons of punishment has not wavered.

In an age where we obsess over ratings and rankings it’s pretty apparent the WSL’s longest serving head Trainer is doing alright. How he turns Manchester United from top-four participants into genuine challengers should now be his Upcoming greatest measure.