'Words are cheap' - Marc Skinner addresses Sir Jim Ratcliffe criticism after backing INEOS stance on Man Utd men's team taking priority over women's side

Ratcliffe described the men’s side as the club’s "first team" during an interview in June, raising questions about his commitment to the women’s team. Moreover, he attended a Premier League match instead of the Women’s FA Cup final, despite Manchester United Women securing their first major trophy.

Ratcliffe reinforced this perspective in a recent interview with the United We Stand fanzine, saying, “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."

Addressing the situation, Skinner sought to balance his support for the women’s team with an understanding of the broader club strategy. While he acknowledged the difficulty of hearing Ratcliffe’s comments, Skinner emphasized that his day-to-day experiences paint a different picture.

"One thing I’ll say is words are cheap but actions last longer. For me, I see the actions," he told reporters.

"It’s hard for me to hear those comments, but actually that’s not what I see from the working group that is every day with us. Would I love the biggest budget in the league? Of course I would, I think everyone would. But I think 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 reality is I don’t see it. I see it in support and support isn’t always finance. Support is actually knowing you’ve got a strategy, you’re going to move to this. Our actions are supported and we’d all like more but 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."

Former Arsenal striker and BBC pundit Ian Wright was among those who condemned Ratcliffe’s remarks but also slammed Skinner for toeing the official line.

"For him to double down on the fact that the women's team is not his priority when the women are depending on it for their livelihood and future (is disheartening)," he told Crossways podcast.

"For the manager, Marc Skinner, maybe he will see Ratcliffe next week or not, simply for him to say, 'I am simply uncomfortable with them because I know the hard work that goes in. What I am trying to do, what the women's game needs as much support as we can get. Specially from the owners.' But Skinner has come out and almost is kind of like dancing. That's not right, bro. He had an obligation to women's football as a man in there."

Ratcliffe’s comments have reignited the discussion about equality and investment in women’s football, with fans and analysts divided on how clubs should balance resources between their men’s and women’s teams. As women’s football continues to grow in popularity, the debate highlights the challenges of fostering equity while addressing the legacy of historical underinvestment. Skinner's troops will be back in action against Crystal Palace on Sunday in the WSL.