Ian Wright slams Manchester United for ‘not caring enough’ about their women’s team and hits out at boss Marc Skinner after ‘David Brent style’ interview

Ian Wright has hit out at Manchester United for ‘not caring enough’ about their women’s team and also criticised manager Marc Skinner for a ‘David Brent’ style interview.

United’s commitment to their women’s team has come under scrutiny in the last year after they moved them out of their training facility to accommodate the men’s side. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has also made a number of comments that seem to suggest a lack of interest – claiming the project was a ‘work in progress’.

Wright, who co-hosts the women’s football podcast Crossways with former England captain Steph Houghton, claimed United are not invested enough in how well their women’s team performs.

‘When you hear murmurings of Man United saying “once we sort out the men’s, we’re gonna focus on the women’s” – when is that going to be? You look at the men’s and how far they are off it at the minute. When are they actually going to take notice of the women’s? I genuinely believe, especially with how Man United Women are playing, they do not care. They genuinely do not care enough.’

Wright’s comments stemmed from United boss Skinner’s post-match interview after their 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.

After starting the season with three wins, United have drawn their last three fixtures and are seven points off the top of the table.

Marc Skinner came under pressure from supporters last season after a difficult campaign

Man United’s commitment to their women’s team has come under scrutiny after they moved them out of their training facility to accommodate the men’s side (pictured – Sir Jim Ratcliffe)

Skinner came under pressure from supporters last season after the club finished fifth, their worst ever position in the Women’s Super League. Skinner did manage to win the FA Cup – the club’s first piece of major silverware, but many fans remain disillusioned.

‘Unfortunately for him, the interview he did the other day didn’t stand him in good stead,’ Wright said of Skinner.

‘What he’s saying, in respect of new players, the team gelling – he’s had this team for long enough now where they should be doing a lot better. You talk about the four new players, [Celin] Bizet – she’s played in the WSL before, [Dominque] Janssen has been there before, [Elisabeth] Terland and then Grace Clinton who had to go to Tottenham to get herself better and in the England squad.

‘You listen to that interview, no plan B, no real structure of what they’re doing. They were playing against a Villa side that were bottom of the league and he’s talking about they got a good result – at home.

‘This is why I was quite pleased to see Man United fans pull him up about that interview and how David Brent-ish it was for me.’

Houghton echoed Wright’s thoughts and questioned whether Skinner’s tactics are holding the team back.

‘Ella Toone is playing off the left. Ella Toone isn’t a left-winger, she’ll know that herself. I’ve played with Tooney before, her position is that no 10. Are you really getting the best out of her? Grace Clinton, she didn’t really stamp her authority on the game but is that because the tactics don’t allow her to do that?

‘Absolutely it is. Look at what she did at Spurs. In a team where she was given the ball and responsibility. Ella Toone, we know what she’s about, she’s a No 10, creative. What’s happened to Geyse? Which players have improved under Marc Skinner?

Steph Houghton backed up Wright and questioned if Skinner’s tactics are holding United back

After starting the season with three wins, United have drawn their last three fixtures

‘It’s up to the fans, they’ve got to continue to let people know “we’re not accepting this.” Man United, alongside the Real Madrids and Juventus, these great historic football clubs, they should be leading the way. I genuinely they don’t care enough and this is why a manager can go on there and speak like that and say what he’s said.’

Wright and Houghton’s comments come after former United player Irene Guerrero painted a damning picture of her time with the club in an interview with Marca.

Guerrero signed for United after winning the World Cup with Spain but limited game time saw her move on at the end of last season.

‘I had to go into the bathroom to cry, wash my face and come out as if nothing had happened,’ Guerrero said.

‘I asked myself: ‘Why are you coming to sign me, pay a transfer fee and a player on exchange if you don’t count on me later?’