- Manchester United Women’s UCL qualification hopes take big hit on Sunday
- The Athletic not permitted to ask Marc Skinner questions
- Overprotection of underperforming manager is controversial
On Sunday afternoon (April 26), Manchester United Women (MUW) participated in a disappointing 0-0 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
The result puts the Women’s Super League (WSL) club in danger of not qualifying for the Champions League next season. Marc Skinner’s side lay in third place, having just won one of their last eight matches. Arsenal in fourth, are just one point behind with three games in hand.
However, some of the fallout of the 0-0 draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium came after the match.
United Press Office Denies The Athletic in Presser
According to journalist Megan Feringa from The Athletic, the media outlet owned by NY Times were denied the chance to ask questions to manager Marc Skinner.
Whilst they weren’t denied access into the post-match press conference itself, they were “denied the opportunity to ask Skinner questions”. Feringa wrote that this was made clear “by United’s press officer, who later said this was in response to an “overly negative story” that followed the club’s Champions League exit.”
The article in question was a detailed report on life at Leigh Sports Village. It explored financial disparities between the club and its WSL rivals, as well as Skinner’s competency and future beyond this season. Other topics explored were United’s lack of depth in the midst of key players being unavailable this season at different points of the season.
One comment on Feringa’s article from today (26 April) wrote: “Uh oh. Sorry to hear you got shut out Megan, that is pretty poor behaviour on the part of Skinner there.”
Other journalists have also had their say. Kathryn Batte from The Telegraph said: “A truly ridiculous decision from Manchester United”.
Nathan Salt from the Daily Mail described it as “not a good look” for the Red Devils.
Elsewhere, The Athletic reporter Adam Crafton wrote: “Nothing makes me want to read a piece of reporting more than when press officers on a power trip decide to block questions. Megan’s highly accurate, fair and balanced report below well worth a read.”
Journalist Ban Not New for United
For longtime fans of Manchester United, the decision to ‘ban’ The Athletic from asking questions is a lite version of clashes in the past. Whilst it was more prominent during the time of Sir Alex Ferguson, media bans have happened as recently as Erik ten Hag’s spell at the club.
After reports of losing the dressing room in 2024, the Dutchman banned ESPN, the Daily Mirror, Sky Sports and Manchester Evening News from a press conference. Ferguson himself was more extreme, banning the BBC for seven years after allegations were aired about his son in a documentary.
Therefore, it is not something new in the journlaist world of United stamping down in a press conference. It is however the first time that this has happened to the women’s team.
Skinner remains under pressure, despite signing a new deal last summer with the club. There has been storied criticism around his management at the club, even though he is the longest-serving manager within the WSL. By banning specific outlets it does spell that the pressure is getting to him after the latest setback.
Whether the 43-year-old remains in charge next season will likely rest on Champions League qualification. That looks like a pipedream as it stands.
