Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner has reiterated the fact that the club are working hard to retain the services of highly-rated full-back Ona Batlle for the long-term.
The 23-year-old Spaniard is out of contract at the Leigh Sports Village at the end of the season and it has recently been suggested that the player has rejected the offer of a new deal with Manchester United. A number of clubs both in England and overseas are believed to be monitoring the situation.
When speaking in his latest press conference, Skinner said that he believes that Batlle is very happy at Manchester United and that the club will keep fighting to retain her services for many years to come.
“When I look at Ona in the face, I know how happy she is here,” Skinner said. “In training, our focus is on how we can help her to progress her abilities.
“I have no doubt that she loves Manchester United. I know Polly (Bancroft) and the team behind-the-scenes are working hard off the pitch to try and make her a Manchester United player for years to come.
“With all of these things, there are complexities but I know that Ona is really happy here and that we are working hard to make it still happen.”
Talks of a potential takeover at Manchester United have intensified in recent days but Skinner says that things are very much business as usual as far as the club’s women’s team’s operations are concerned.
He said “We are business as usual and that is very clear. The meetings that I have had this week have been about future squad development, how we are going to continue to grow, those talks have not stalled.
“We are business as usual and we will continue to look at how we can make this team a successful team going forward and one that can compete on all fronts as much as possible.”
Manchester United resume their campaign following the international break with a Vitality Women’s FA Cup fifth round tie against Durham at the Leigh Sports Village on Sunday.
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