Manchester United manager Marc Skinner believes that the women's team will always be a "key focus" for the club going forward regardless of any potential takeover.
Earlier this week, it was revealed that billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe's company, INEOS, had formally joined the process to buy the club. United's owners, the Glazers, announced last year they were considering selling up after 18 years in charge.
Although a large percentage of United fans would be delighted to see the club under new ownership, it does raise the question of what would happen to the women's team. The last time there was a takeover at Old Trafford, back in 2005, Malcolm Glazer took charge and the women's team were disbanded. The new regime at the time explained the decision with a statement saying the team was "unprofitable" and not part of the "core business".
United reintroduced their women's team in 2018, following a 13-year absence, and have been successful ever since. After winning promotion from the Championship in their very first season, they are flying high in the Women's Super League and chasing a first title under Skinner's leadership.
The United boss, speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, said any question marks around the ownership wouldn't slow down the development of the women's team.
"I can only really comment on the actions I see every day," said Skinner. "And the reality is we're looking at investment and growth, we're not looking at standing still right now. Even in this window, we're trying to look at the potential of bringing players in. It's not standing still.
Would you like to see Sir Jim Ratcliffe buy Manchester United? Have your say in the comments!
"I don't know about the ownership and what we do excellently here is they give you the information you need to know, so for us, there's no distractions, we work hard on the field.
"And I have no doubt whatsoever that if our club does change hands in the future, the women will be a key focus of what we're doing in the future as well at this club. We've just come way too far to turn around now.
"From all the conversations I have, it's always about how we progress, it's never about how we move backwards. So I would see that as a positive, regardless of what happens to ownership, we're moving right now into a positive direction too.
"I am absolutely comfortable in understanding that we're part of the club's big plans going forwards."
United have only lost once in the WSL this season and sit just three points behind league-leaders Chelsea with a game in hand. Ahead of a trip to Reading this weekend, Skinner also gave a fitness update on Leah Galton.
Galton won the league's Player of the Month award for December but missed the 6-0 win over Liverpool last week with a fitness issue.
"She is progressing this week," Skinner said of Galton. "It will be a late test going into this game, so we will see. If not, I would imagine she’ll be back for the Sunderland game.
"With something like this, we are very careful and cautious. We can afford to be with the depth that we have got. We don’t need to rush her. But if she passes that (test) and is available, then of course we will look to put her into the squad.
"Apart from that, everybody else is fresh and available for selection."
