Marc Skinner responds to Man Utd fans who called for him to be sacked as boss
Marc Skinner defended Manchester United supporters who chanted for him to be sacked at a friendly match earlier this month.
Despite labouring to an eventual 2-1 friendly victory over PSV Eindhoven in Malta over the winter break, the Red Devils boss was reportedly targeted with "Skinner out" chants from disgruntled fans.
Afterwards, claims arose that supporters in attendance were instructed by a match steward at the Tony Bezzina Stadium to stop singing the chants, much to the annoyance of the fanbase.
United have been far from their best this season and a shadow of the team which pushed reigning league champions Chelsea to the brink in both the FA Cup and Women's Super League last season. Even so, Skinner has welcomed fans' right to air grievances and opinions, even if they heavily disfavour the manager.
"I will never, and this club will never, stop anybody singing what they want to do," Skinner said on Friday. "Everyone's voices are super important. I think you've known me long enough to know I'd never do that. My focus is on this team. It's about getting the best out of the team.
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"You will always have and probably the more we increase the numbers and the support, you're always going to have different thoughts, different scopes. What I know and what I love about our fans is, regardless of their individual thoughts and opinions, they support Manchester United."
He added: "I'm here to win, I'm here to supply good football but also winning football for our fans, and if they have their own opinions along the way, everyone is always welcome.
"I think it's a good sign. It's not always nice news, you're not always going to get nice news. But actually, to have that opinion in the game is absolutely healthy and it's something I'd always encourage. I am absolutely 100 per cent confident in my ability, in the team's ability."
Marc Skinner is under pressure to claim silverware this seasonUnited currently sit fourth in the league table, level on points with Liverpool and seven points behind leaders Chelsea, a clear regression to where United stood at the midway point of last season.
Skinner has fallen swiftly out of favour amongst many within the Red Devils' fanbase, and his credentials as the man capable of keeping United amongst the WSL's elite was thrust under further scrutiny after the club crashed out of the Champions League qualification second-round to Paris Saint-Germain, putting a premature end to a first-ever European adventure.
United are notably without last year's star forward, Alessia Russo and right-back Ona Batlle, both of whom departed the club in the summer on free transfers following the expiry of their respective contracts with the club. Meanwhile, the ongoing contract saga of goalkeeper Mary Earps continues to ensconce the squad.
Asked about the recent visit of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford to United's training ground and the prospect of advancement under new ownership following Ineos' £1bn purchase of a 25 per cent stake in the Red Devils, Skinner spoke positively about the future.
"There's a lot to progress with going down the line and a lot of plans to make," said Skinner. "There's a lot more meetings to go ahead, but there was real positive vibes and energy. It is something that will be a real galvanising factor pushing us forward." United return to action with their Women's FA Cup fourth-round game against Newcastle on Sunday.
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