Man Utd prepared to strengthen in WSL January transfer window
Manchester United manager Marc Skinner has confirmed that the club are interested in signing new players in the January transfer window next month if the rights opportunities arise.
Skinner had limited opportunity to put his own stamp on the squad ahead of his first season in charge following his late July appointment. But United had a busy summer in preparation for the current campaign, bringing in seven new players to boost depth and competition for places.
United also moved during January last season, recruiting Diane Caldwell and Signe Bruun on short-term deals – the latter on loan, and Jade Moore.
As things stand, United lack specialised depth at full-back, with central defender Maria Thorsidottir filling in at both right-back and left-back at times this season. There has also been no direct replacement for Jackie Groenen, who was sold to Paris Saint-Germain in September.
Skinner has previously confirmed that full-backs are on his agenda, explaining in October that he had first wanted to prioritise recruiting attacking players, which had been the case in the summer.
“In every window, we will look to be present if the right people are available,” Skinner said on Tuesday ahead of this week’s Continental Cup clash with Everton.
“We have been assessing since the summer and since before summer. We are aware of people’s contracts and we are aware of our targets. If the right people are there and it’s the right moment, we will, for sure, look at how we adapt and evolve our squad.”
Regardless of a flying start to the WSL season, Skinner is adamant that the process of building the squad at United into one capable of competing for major honours is still very much ongoing.
“We are not done, I’ll be very clear on that. We are no way near done,” he said. “We have to keep growing as a team and growing our experience, but for sure adding new players going forward.”
Typically in women’s football, the Scandinavian and American markets are often best for January recruitment due to club seasons in those places finishing at the end of the calendar rather than mirroring the autumn/winter/spring calendar seen in England and most other European countries.
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