Manchester United women’s boss breaks silence after Sir Jim Ratcliffe appeared to double down on stance that men’s team is his PRIORITY
- Sir Jim Ratcliffe described Man United’s men’s team as the ‘first team’ in June
- The co-owner of the Red Devils seemed to double his position last week
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Marc Skinner has responded to criticism of Sir Jim Ratcliffe after the Manchester United co-owner reiterated that the men’s team remains his priority.
Skinner noted, “It’s hard for me to see those comments, but actually that’s not what I see from the working group that is with us every day.”
In an interview in June, Ratcliffe described the men’s side as the club’s ‘first team’ and opted to attend a Premier League match instead of the Women’s FA Cup final, where United secured their first major silverware.
Last week Ratcliffe appeared to double down on his stance, telling fanzine United We Stand: ‘There’s only so much you can do and our focus has been on the men’s team. If not, it is being spread too thinly.
‘We have to solve the main problem: the men’s team. The women’s team is an opportunity. Women’s football is growing very quickly in popularity and size.
‘We have to participate in that. The girls will wear a Manchester United badge on their shirt and represent the club.”
Last week Sir Jim Ratcliffe appeared to double down on his stance that the men’s team is his priority
Manchester United women’s boss Marc Skinner admitted it was difficult for him to see those comments
Ratcliffe described the women’s team as ‘an opportunity’ and stressed that sorting out the men’s team remains the main issue
The comments have drawn criticism from fans, with Ian Wright and Steph Houghton also addressing it on their podcast, Crossways. Houghton said: “The women’s team is part of that football club, it’s not something on the sidelines. If that’s me and I hear that from the CEO, I think: “What are we doing?”.
“Man United have done some great things in recent years from the Championship to get into the WSL. They have built the club to a certain point, all you need is someone to support you.”
The Manchester United women’s boss said during the debate: ‘One thing I want to say is that words are cheap, but actions last longer. Before me I see the actions.
‘I find it difficult to hear those comments, but that is actually not what I see from the working group that is with us every day.
“Would I love the biggest budget in the league? Of course I would, I think everyone would. But I think everyone in this room wants a sustainable game.
‘We want to grow, we want women to have the same rights, to grow those rights, to have the finances available for all means. But unfortunately we have to work for that, because we start from the back.
‘The reality is that I don’t see it. I see it in support and support is not always financial. Support is basically knowing that you have a strategy, you’re going here.
“Our actions are supported and we all want more, but I feel supported by the fact that everyone in this club wants our team to do well and grow towards a sustainable model.”