Sir Jim Ratcliffe must make key Wembley decision as Manchester United vs Arsenal problem emerges

When Marc Skinner leads his Manchester United team out at Wembley Stadium next month, he will do so in the knowledge that it is the biggest afternoon in the club's history.

Less than two decades since the Glazer regime opted to disband the women's team, deeming it not to be part of United's "core business", the Reds will have a golden chance to clinch their first-ever piece of silverware as they take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Women's FA Cup final. But, if toppling Spurs would go some way to exorcising some of the ghosts of the club's error-strewn past, then a glimpse at the directors' box on Sunday, May 12, might just offer the clearest insight yet into the landscape of United's future.

Since the installation of Sir Jim Ratcliffe as the club's part-owner in February, there has been little indication from the INEOS chief that the women's team ranks highly on his list of priorities. While he has been spotted in the crowd at Old Trafford on multiple occasions since the turn of the year, he is yet to watch Skinner's side in action at Leigh Sports Village.

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With that in mind, his presence at Wembley next month is paramount if players, coaching staff and fans alike are to be convinced of his commitment to their cause. Of course, the fact there is another big game taking place that same afternoon means Ratcliffe's attendance at the national stadium is not a foregone conclusion. Some 200 miles away, United's men's team will also be in action as they host title-chasing Arsenal in the Premier League.

With a mere two hours