'Chelsea can just go "bang" and sign another forward' - Under-fire Man Utd boss Marc Skinner pleads with Sir Jim Ratcliffe for 'aggressive' investment in women's team with Red Devils well adrift in WSL title race

Skinner's side are currently 10 points adrift of Women's Super League leaders Chelsea and were also dumped out of the Champions League at the first hurdle earlier this season. The Red Devils' stuttering form had led to some fans calling for the manager to be sacked - with supporters loudly voicing their grievances at recent games. However, speaking after United's much-needed 2-1 victory over Aston Villa, Skinner suggested that the club needed a change of approach at the top level if they are ever to properly challenge the WSL's elite clubs.

Asked whether he wanted United to strengthen the squad before the January transfer window closes, Skinner said: "It’s key, if we’re being very clear, I think it’s clear that we need quality in depth. If we’re going to chase down Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, we’ve got to continue to invest to the levels that they are.

"I think the players are doing an exceptional job. I’ve got players who are tired and have had three-game weeks and the depth in that backline needs to improve. We need to try to get more experienced players in to support the quality of our team – I’m happy with the quality of them – but they just need additions. I can’t hit that home hard enough, can I?

"We still have a lot of highly talented young players, I know we’ve got talented players, but we need to continue to support around that, to have players of high experience, Champions League winners, Champions League experience, league winners, cup winners, we need to add that into them to give them a platform over many years at Manchester United to be successful."

Skinner went on to point at Chelsea's world-record acquisition of Colombian World Cup star Mayra Ramirez as evidence of the gulf that exists between the two clubs.

"It’s interesting when I see Chelsea have an injury to a player and they can just go ‘bang’ and sign another forward. We have to continue to support our team to kind of be aggressive and win things," he added.

United were handed a double blow in the summer when both Alessia Russo and Ona Batlle departed on free transfers after the club failed to tie the pair down to new contracts. The hits are likely to keep on coming too, with Lionesses star Mary Earps also out of contract at the end of the season.

It's not all bad news, though. Although they remain well adrift in the WSL title race, Ella Toone - who remains under contract with the Red Devils until 2026 - brought up an impressive milestone in her side's win over Aston Villa. Toone became the first United player to make 150 appearances for the club since their reformation in 2018.

Not only will Skinner be wishing for some new signings this week, he will also be hoping the club can make some progress in contract negotiations with Earps, who has been linked with both Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal in recent times. On the pitch, United next face Brighton in the WSL on Sunday.