Cristiano Ronaldo: Manchester United signing has energised whole club, says women’s team boss Marc Skinner

Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United has given all the club’s teams “renewed energy”, says women’s team head coach Marc Skinner.

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo’s transfer back to United was made official on Tuesday morning, as he signed a two-year deal with the option to extend for a further year.

Ronaldo scored a total of 551 club goals across spells at Real Madrid and Juventus after leaving United in 2009, but has now returned to the Premier League aged 36.

Skinner, who replaced Casey Stoney over the summer, is set to take charge of his first Women’s Super League fixture as his side get their campaign underway against Reading on Friday evening, live on Sky Sports Premier League.

“We feel in the staff – it’s not even just the players – with Cristiano returning, it becomes part of the bigger construct of the club,” Skinner said.

“You can feel the vibes that are changing in the teams. I was speaking to someone who’s been here a long time because obviously that’s how you get to know the history of the club as well, and they can feel a renewed energy, a focus, a connected drive in all of the teams.

“It feels like, although Manchester can be quite grey, it definitely feels like there’s a rise of energy from all the teams in and around Manchester United.”

Skinner is looking to help United mount a title challenge after they finished fourth – 10 points behind champions Chelsea – last season.

“I feel excited,” Skinner said. “The whole reason we came to Manchester United was the challenge of being at a club like Manchester United and I think that the first challenge is the first game and the first live game so we can’t wait so it’s going to be wonderful to be part of it.

“It also welcomes in the new era and that feels brilliant too and I can’t feel anything but positivity towards the situation and something that we all can’t wait for and are all looking forward to. I feel the energy around the group and how they want to show who they are and what they are.”

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