Man Utd head coach responds to Chloe Kelly transfer links | OneFootball

Manchester United manager Marc Skinner has responded to rumours that Chloe Kelly could be the subject of a loan move from rivals Manchester City.

Reports surrounding Kelly's future emerged prior to the Manchester derby in the Women's Super League (WSL) last Sunday, with the forward also left out of Gareth Taylor's City squad.

TheTelegraph wrote that Kelly is "open to a move" to United for the remainder of the 2024/25 season, having started just one game for City in the WSL thus far.

However, when asked by 90min about the truth of the rumours, Skinner responded: "I'm sure you can expect my answer, we don't talk about other team's players.

"We've always said at Manchester United that if it's the right person at the right time, that fits this unique group of teammates then we can look to try and do business.

"The winter window is notoriously a little bit more difficult to do work in, but the reality is we are always on the lookout. The team are always working hard at recruiting."

United beat City 4-2 in the WSL at the weekend / Ben Roberts Photo/GettyImages

United have been eager to lock down some of their starting mainstays, most recently penning a three-year contract extension with defender Jayde Riviere.

The club have lost several high profile players on free transfers over recent seasons, with England starters Alessia Russo and Mary Earps both notable examples in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

"From us, if you want to build the longevity of a team then you have to have a core group that travels together. In the past, for whatever reason whether its player's choices and club decisions, players have moved on," Skinner added.

"We went younger in the market so that we can actually grow these players together. Anna Sanberg is an example of what we are trying to do here, Jayde [Riviere] signing a new contract, Grace [Clinton]. With these youngsters we are trying to build a team that can stay together for a while. It creates cohesion.

"I look at the successful teams in this country and they have a core group. We need to have a younger core group that moves together, so that we can add success to the club."