Marc Skinner has become the longest current serving manager of the WSL this season. His four years who are in charge of Man Utd, fluctuating in success, but Steag has steadily supervised a period of enormous growth. The top three of the competition has become a top four, with much less predictability confirmed.
Skinner served a campaign of consistency very well at a time when the club has searched for stability. A lot of change happened about an intense 18 months of control. High -controversial players left and it is all that everyone could talk about.
Fans became dissatisfied with the so -called lack of progress of the project – and the fact that their favorite name players were ship. Alessia Russo joined Arsenal, ONA Batle went to Barcelona, Mary Earps left for PSG and Kapitein Katie Zelem called time at her six years in the club.
But Skinner's approach was to use the transition as a clean slate. He wanted – and still wants to – build a team with youthfulness and liveliness, one that resonates with fans, the local communities of Manchester and beyond. Man Utd went from one of the oldest squadrons in the competition to one of the youngest with an average age of just over 26.
And yet the results have improved, not worse. United's Run of seven consecutive WSL victories ended by Liverpool last Friday, but that defeat was one of the two throughout the season. Managers are assessed on form and results and so far there is little to complain about.
So what does that all mean for the future of Skinner at Old Trafford with his current contract that ends in June?
“I have never been so sure,” Skinner told Sky Sports exclusively this week. “Every victory, every loss makes me more convinced. I will know when it is time. I want to win things here. I want to compete in the Champions League. I want to keep pushing the training standards. The fire is there.
“The club has an option on my contract and we are currently in conversation, plus an extension. There have been really positive conversations. We have unfinished things.”
Man Utd stays in what Skinner calls “the push space”. In the terms of Layman, this translates at the moving distance from champions Chelsea and in the company of the other two historical protagonists of the WSL – Arsenal and Man City.
In addition to a complete Meltdown Chelsea, the WSL title packed, but it is important for his team to keep pace between now and the last day in May. Don't shout it, but the UTD team now looks almost more complete than before. There is refinement and subtlety instead of large stars, but it works.
“For the first time in two years, since the last time we were in the 'push space' in the competition, I feel good energy. It is no tension. This year there have been fewer challenges.
“We have always had the same core values, but it is the way we live. It is fresh again. We have a young team, you can see that in moments because there are parts that we fall for, but what they give us is energy. We understand that.
“The players have always been focused on winning Man United, which is in DNA, but with youthfulness comes fearless. This is the same show with another cast. The cast has brought something new.
“You never just have to throw money at things, you have to build the structure and foundations. We are building for a long service life.”
Skinner's record against the challengers of this weekend Aston Villa is almost perfect. The 41-year-old is unbeaten in nine previous meetings with Villa in all competitions and wins six. UTD also has the best defensive record in the competition and has also taken steps on the top.
The style of Skinner, sometimes carefully in nature, can continue to distribute the opinion, but it is difficult to argue with last year's upgrade.
“To be vulnerable, I hope that the results have convinced fans that we are trying to do things in the right way. I have become more pragmatic with experience. It's not fun if the manager [to get criticism]. I hope that fans will also remember the good times, such as winning our first big trophy at Wembley.
“A big motivating factor for me is creating memories. I try to make things light because this is a daily pressure bubble and it is the only way to feel normal. The world is pretty crazy, so I try to remove that pressure.
“I am not only cheesy rhetoric. I am constantly in communication with my players. I had four players in my office yesterday and spoke at a deeper level.
“I want to make sure that my players are in a room where they have fun, this is entertainment. We are still serious to win. To be a football player in a powerful environment, it is every hour and every sleeping hour, we don't rest.”
The under -performance of last season, as fifth in the competition, demonstrably required a summer of change. Perhaps positives can be derived from the bruised aftermath of the past. Of course there will always be a few bones of fighting, but the appetite of Skinner for more seasons of punishment is not hesitation.
In an era in which we are obsessed with ratings and rankings, it is quite clear that the longest serving head coach of the WSL is doing well. How he turns Manchester United from top-four participants into real challengers should now be his next biggest measure.
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