New Manchester United female manager Marc Skinner has said he wants his team to play “attacking” and “exciting” football and quickly buy into the club’s long traditions.
Skinner was appointed successor to Casey Stoney at the end of July after a frustratingly long search that at one stage had led players to question the club’s direction.
Skinner has a proven track record in the WSL from his impressive spell in Birmingham but found things much tougher in the US with Orlando Pride. He now hopes to be able to use all his experience to create something special in Manchester.
“I think this will just be a wonderful challenge for everyone. I want an adaptive team that does not just have a way of playing, says Sky Sports.
“What I learned in Birmingham was that our teams were very ball possession based. In America, I tried it during the first year and it did not work, so I had to find out the best way to attack NWSL. I want us to be adaptable, but I want to play attacking football and exciting football, which is a football brand that Manchester United fans expect. ”
Following criticism of the club’s handling and attitude towards its women’s team – one of the most important factors behind Stoney’s departure was frustration over training facilities – United predicted earlier this summer that the ambition is to have a ‘fully integrated approach’ for men, women and academia on the club’s training ground.
“Since I have been at Manchester United, of course, the resources have been there and I have received support. I have not felt anything but support since I have been here, says Skinner in further comments published by the Daily Mail.
He revealed that he has already been welcomed by the men’s team manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær and has been in direct contact with the football director John Murtough and the senior official Julie Ferguson.
Skinner has been welcomed to Man Utd by Ole Gunnar Solskjær / James Williamson – AMA / Getty Images
“I emailed Ole and within 20 minutes he emailed me back and said:” I look forward to meeting you, welcome to the club and I will have a coffee with you and we can integrate ideas “, said Skinner.
“I have met all the staff across the training area, they have been nothing but friendly. This is part of the reason I came to Manchester United because I knew it had a legacy to support its own and grow from within.
“John Murtough is a very strong link to that and he has only supported. I have direct lines to Julie Ferguson and John Murtough, I think we have met twice a week, I have constant conversations. John has come out to look at us on the training ground, I feel nothing but support from there.
“Since I was in, I have not seen anything but love, energy, commitment, drive and ambition towards our women’s team. We would not expect anything less than that. We will continue to grow. ”
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