Manchester United manager Marc Skinner says that young starlet Grace Clinton will need to remain ‘resilient’ if she is to regain her place in the starting eleven.
The Red Devils head coach fronted the media on Friday morning ahead of his side’s fifth-round tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.
Skinner spoke on young star Grace Clinton, and how he expects her to work hard for her spot in the starting eleven.
Clinton needs ‘time and growth’ in order to shine
Pushed to the forefront of media attention following her breakout Women’s Super League season with Tottenham Hotspur, Clinton has become one of England’s brightest stars.
However, the hot form of United midfielders Hinata Miyazawa and Ella Toone means that Clinton has been biding her time on the bench following her return from a minor knock.
“There are so many different things that can challenge you as a footballer. From our perspective it is about her learning in these moments, and also knowing that she is a part of the team. I think the reality is that you can learn a lot about resilience in this moment. I genuinely believe that resilience is one of the greatest skillsets a footballer can have.”
“When comes in and when she does her thing, whether it is to start or from the bench, she can have a massive influence on the squad and the team. I’m looking forward to her getting back to that form, and it is something that the squad and myself are going to help her with.”
Firing Ella Toone providing Clinton with competition
Ella Toone has been back at her very best over recent weeks, scoring five goals across four matches for United. Ongoing debates followed Toone’s involvement in the England set-up, with many fans suggesting that Clinton is already prepared to take her place.
Skinner believes that the pair can work together in order to work at their best, citing “Tooney has been playing well. There are moments when we can play Tooney and Grace together, I think Tooney learns from Grace and Grace learns off Tooney. I think that’s really key.”
“I think Grace also has the ability to mix between the 8 role as well. She’s clearly a creator, but she also has the tenacity to want to defend in those bigger spaces as well. That’s something she can continue to develop as well, it’s not completely there right now. It’s something we want to focus on.”
