Aoife Mannion contract an important piece of business for Man Utd

Manchester United securing the future of Aoife Mannion with a new contract ensures the club retains invaluable experience and leadership, as well as some all-important grit ahead of what is a crunch season for Marc Skinner’s team.

For United, 2022/23 was always about finally breaking up the long established WSL top three and qualifying for the Champions League. That they ended up pushing Chelsea to a new record points tally in a title race that lasted until the final day defied expectation.

Now, the onus is on a squad already ongoing through a degree of transition following the departures of key players Alessia Russo and Ona Batlle to prove it was no fluke and that they aren’t simply a flash in the pan that will allow the status quo to immediately restore itself.

Although only former Reading defender Gemma Evans has so far arrived, the club has ambitious plans in the transfer market this summer, particularly where it comes to forward – that additional quality will be key in navigating Champions League qualifiers and actually reaching the group stage.

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Mannion is important in a different way. It wasn’t until her return from a second ACL injury since 2019 that Skinner was really prepared to tinker with his centre-back pairing. Aissatou Tounkara didn’t really get much of a look in and has since left, but Mannion began appearing off the bench in mid-March and was then thrust into the starting XI for the hard fought 1-0 win over Arsenal at Leigh Sports Village in April when Turner was carrying a minor injury.

It was the Republic of Ireland international’s first competitive start in nearly 15 months. By the end of the game she was cramping horrendously, but her heroic performance particularly in the closing stages was what preserved the clean sheet and the win. Mannion walked away player of the match.

The 27-year-old is part of the squad’s senior leadership group alongside captain Katie Zelem and Hayley Ladd, who is also expected to soon sign a new contract. She is well liked and respected by her teammates and by fans and will leave every ounce she has on the pitch. Trust is a huge thing in football and Skinner seems to trust her inherently on the pitch.

“Aoife is a key part of our squad on and off the field, and consistently displays the values and leadership qualities required to play for Manchester United,” were his words on her renewal.

Mannion sadly won’t be at the World Cup with Ireland due to a minor injury suffered in May that she didn’t recover from in time to be selected. But a restful summer, followed by hard work in pre-season, will mean she is ready to put it all on the line again come kick-off in October.