'It really doesn't affect us now' - Man Utd boss Marc Skinner opens up on Chloe Kelly's shock Arsenal move despite wanting cross-town switch from Man City

With England international Kelly running down her contract at Manchester City, a move in the winter window always appeared likely. There was talk at one stage of the Euro 2022 winner crossing a fierce derby divide by swapping blue for red.

As it stands, the 27-year-old forward will be donning that colour in north London, having returned to her roots at Arsenal on a short-term deal. United will be wasting little energy mulling over what could have been, with it impossible to land every top target.

Skinner told reporters when asked about United’s recruitment business: "If we found the right person and we could make a right deal, then we'd try and do it. If not, I'm really happy with the forward options we have. Chloe Kelly is an Arsenal player on loan from Manchester City. So it really doesn't affect us now."

United only added Kayla Randell to their ranks in the January window, while WSL rivals Chelsea broke the world transfer record on $1 million USWNT star Naomi Girma and are understood to have an agreement in place with Barcelona for Lionesses midfielder Keira Walsh.

Skinner added on that business in west London: "I am happy the investment has come in. Does it widen the gap? It definitely skews the market a little bit. I don't think Chelsea will be moaning about that because they are in a situation where they can hit those levels of investment. For us it's fantastic for the women's game, the growth and development in such a short period of time. But we may potentially see fallouts and how it affects everybody else."

United are currently the closest challengers to defending champions Chelsea in the WSL table, but the Blues hold a seven-point lead at the summit and are yet to taste defeat this season. Knocking them from that perch will be no easy task for the likes of Skinner and Kelly.