Manchester United boss' new contract 'offer' rings alarm bells after INEOS vow

In a week where two Premier League clubs were hit with points deductions and Liverpool were eviscerated by Atalanta in the Europa League, it is Manchester United who have conspired to deliver what is arguably the most eyebrow-raising football story of the last seven days.

For months it has felt as if Marc Skinner, manager of the women's team since 2021, is on borrowed time. After taking the title race to the final day and reaching the FA Cup final last term, there is a sense his side have now veered drastically off course, with the Reds having had disappointing runs in both the Champions League and Continental League Cup and currently sitting 15 points off leaders Manchester City in the Women's Super League (WSL).

That there remains a chance of FA Cup glory this season offers some hope of salvation for Skinner but the revelation that a new contract could be on the cards for the 41-year-old is being viewed in some quarters as an indictment of the club's long-term ambitions. On Tuesday, The Athletic reported talks are ongoing between both parties as they endeavour to thrash out a new deal that would see Skinner stay in his post beyond this summer.

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Considering that banners calling for the manager's removal have been visible in United away ends up and down the country since the turn of the year, it feels like a bold and slightly perplexing choice for the club's decision makers to opt to extend his tenure at Leigh Sports Village - particularly as it was hoped the arrival of new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe