Marc Skinner: 'I’m sure there are people interested in Grace' | OneFootball

Manchester United manager Marc Skinner has addressed recent reports of interest from local rivals Manchester City in midfielder Grace Clinton.

There had been speculation that the Citizens were going to go in for the England international, who is in the final year of her contract with the Red Devils.

"Right now, I’ve not been told anything of the sort," Skinner said in response during his pre-match press conference for United's Champions League qualifying game against PSV.

"I’m sure there are people interested in Grace because she’s a fantastic footballer. The club haven’t told me anything about that so, as I am now, I am preparing for the Champions League tomorrow and Grace is progressing nicely to be part of our squad going forwards."

Skinner will be without Clinton for the match due to injury as well as new signing Fridolina Rolfö from Barcelona.

"Frido is probably going to miss two or three weeks, yet. She had a little niggle going into the Euros. Obviously she forced that through to play, but we want to make sure she’s right so that she hits the ground running for the whole of the season. So we’re just putting her in a good space, we’ve done that with many players that have come from overseas, to make sure that they’re ready for the WSL."

“Rachel Williams is out, currently injured, and is probably about two or three weeks away. Leah [Galton] is currently a little niggle, so again, probably two or three weeks away. Grace, we’re going to monitor and see how she is, coming back off the Euros she has, again, just a little niggle that we’re managing, but apart from that, everybody else is healthy, fit and ready to go."

One player who could make their debut for United is Julia Zigiotti Olme, who Skinner said 'will add a different dimension in midfield' for United.

"She has the ability, not only physically, but in her brain to play, to move her midfield. At times, we could have been a little bit static, so she’ll be able to move our shape a lot more fluidly."

There was also confirmation of Manchester United's interest in German international Giovanna Hoffman but talks with RB Leipzig have not progressed with Skinner concluding that the move' doesn’t look like something that can happen'.