‘It’s hard to hear’- Man United Women’s boss responds to controversial Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments
Marc Skinner has insisted Manchester United Women still have the support of INEOS despite Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments. The Red Devils co-owner controversially brushed aside Skinner’s team during an interview with United We Stand last week. GettySkinner has responded to Ratcliffe’s comments about United’s women’s team[/caption] Ratcliffe said ‘there’s only so much’ you can do in a controversial interviewGetty Ratcliffe told the fanzine: “There’s only so much that you can do and our focus has been on the men’s team. “If not, you get spread too thinly. We need to sort out the main issue, the men’s team. “The women’s team is an opportunity. Women’s football is growing really quickly in popularity and size. We need to participate in that. “The girls wear a Manchester United badge on their shirt and they’re representing the club.” His remarks came as part of the same interview in which he called United ‘mediocre’ in a series of bombshell statements. Skinner has now responded to the British billionaire’s comments, though, ahead of his side’s trip to Crystal Palace. Asked about Ratcliffe’s remarks in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Skinner said: “Words are cheap but actions last longer. “I see the actions. It’s hard for me to hear those comments but actually that’s not what I see from the (Ineos) working group that is with us everyday. “Would I love the biggest budget in the league? Of course I would, I think everyone would. 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 resources. But unfortunately we’ve got to work for that because we’re starting from behind.” GettyUnited won the Women’s FA Cup under Skinner last season[/caption] The Red Devils boss still believes the women’s team have the support of Ineos, adding: “Support isn’t always finance. “It’s knowing you’ve got a strategy. I feel supported in the fact that everybody in this club wants our team to do well and we’re going to grow towards a sustainable model. “There’s a lot reported about us and I understand why. But when you feel it, when you’re internal, it’s not a lie. We’re not lying. But there are different ways you can show support.” Skinner has been in charge since 2021 and guided the club to the Women’s FA Cup last season. His side are currently fourth in the Women’s Super League after nine matches this term. United find themselves nine points behind leaders Chelsea ahead of their clash with Palace this weekend.
Marc Skinner has insisted Manchester United Women still have the support of INEOS despite Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments.
The Red Devils co-owner controversially brushed aside Skinner’s team during an interview with United We Stand last week.
Ratcliffe told the fanzine: “There’s only so much that you can do and our focus has been on the men’s team.
“If not, you get spread too thinly. We need to sort out the main issue, the men’s team.
“The women’s team is an opportunity. Women’s football is growing really quickly in popularity and size. We need to participate in that.
“The girls wear a Manchester United badge on their shirt and they’re representing the club.”
His remarks came as part of the same interview in which he called United ‘mediocre’ in a series of bombshell statements.
Skinner has now responded to the British billionaire’s comments, though, ahead of his side’s trip to Crystal Palace.
Asked about Ratcliffe’s remarks in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Skinner said: “Words are cheap but actions last longer.
“I see the actions. It’s hard for me to hear those comments but actually that’s not what I see from the (Ineos) working group that is with us everyday.
“Would I love the biggest budget in the league? Of course I would, I think everyone would. 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 resources. But unfortunately we’ve got to work for that because we’re starting from behind.”
The Red Devils boss still believes the women’s team have the support of Ineos, adding: “Support isn’t always finance.
“It’s knowing you’ve got a strategy. I feel supported in the fact that everybody in this club wants our team to do well and we’re going to grow towards a sustainable model.
“There’s a lot reported about us and I understand why. But when you feel it, when you’re internal, it’s not a lie. We’re not lying. But there are different ways you can show support.”
Skinner has been in charge since 2021 and guided the club to the Women’s FA Cup last season.
His side are currently fourth in the Women’s Super League after nine matches this term.
United find themselves nine points behind leaders Chelsea ahead of their clash with Palace this weekend.
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