Football
31 Jan 2025
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Marc Skinner Reacts to Chloe Kelly’s Arsenal Move

Manchester United were reportedly interested in Chloe Kelly / Carl Recine/GettyImages

Chloe Kelly Joins Arsenal on Loan for Remainder of the Season

Manchester City have officially sanctioned a loan move for England forward Chloe Kelly, allowing her to join Women’s Super League (WSL) rivals Arsenal until the end of the season. This decision follows significant interest from Manchester United, who were reportedly keen to secure Kelly’s services before the transfer window closed.

United’s Failed Pursuit of Chloe Kelly

Deadline-day drama unfolded as both Manchester United and Arsenal raced against time to sign Kelly. Reports indicated that United made multiple offers, including proposals for both a loan and a permanent transfer. However, it was Arsenal who ultimately sealed the deal, leaving United empty-handed.

Despite the speculation surrounding United’s pursuit of the winger, head coach Marc Skinner has downplayed the club’s disappointment. Speaking to the media, Skinner suggested that United were not overly concerned about missing out on Kelly’s signing.

Marc Skinner’s Reaction to the Collapsed Deal

In response to reports about United’s transfer activity, Skinner remained composed, insisting that his focus remains on the talent already available within his squad.

“Our Deadline Day Was Quiet”

“To be honest, my deadline day was pretty quiet,” Skinner told reporters. “I’m really happy with the options that we have, the forward options we have. Chloe Kelly is now an Arsenal player on loan from Manchester City, so that doesn’t affect us anymore. We are solely focused on what we can achieve and the qualities we have. I think it’s head down for us from now on.”

United’s transfer activity in the January window was minimal, with the club only securing the signing of goalkeeper Kayla Rendell from Southampton. Instead of bolstering their squad with major signings, United opted to focus on player development, sending several young talents out on loan. Jess Simpson (Bristol City), Emma Watson (Everton), and Lucy Newell (Blackburn Rovers) all left the club temporarily to gain valuable first-team experience.

United’s Transfer Strategy: Investing in Young Talent

Skinner elaborated on United’s approach to squad-building, emphasizing their commitment to developing young talent rather than splashing out on big-money transfers.

“We Are Building for the Future”

“We have decided to build our team on young and highly talented people,” Skinner explained. “We’ve seen what’s happened in the market, and I don’t think many teams are in that space [to spend big money], to be honest. It’s not about downing tools and giving up, it’s about actually finding your own way.”

While some WSL clubs made significant financial commitments during the window—most notably Chelsea, who broke the world-record fee to sign American centre-back Naomi Girma—United chose to take a different path. Skinner was clear that his club is not in a position to compete financially with such aggressive spending.

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Chloe Kelly is set to join Arsenal from Manchester City on WSL Deadline Day





“Manchester United’s Philosophy Remains the Same”

“Manchester United has a rich history of developing young players and pushing hungry, talented individuals into the first team,” Skinner said. “For us, we want to go down that route because we believe it can give us an edge, especially if these young players grow together.”

Despite a relatively quiet transfer window, Skinner remains ambitious about United’s season.

“Our Goal Is to Compete for Trophies”

“We want to push hard to try and win trophies, qualify for the Champions League, and challenge for the league. So, we have to do it our own way. It’s about adding the right players at the right times to complement our younger group and using their energy to our advantage. I want us to be a young, energetic team.”

With the January transfer window now closed, United’s focus shifts entirely to the remainder of the season. While the missed opportunity to sign Chloe Kelly may have been a setback, Skinner’s confidence in his current squad suggests he believes United can still compete at the highest level in the WSL.

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