Marc Skinner promised his Manchester United team would “feel different, exciting and energetic” this season. On the evidence of this opening win, there was one critical inclusion that made them look a changed side, and that was the returning Grace Clinton.
The England midfielder marked her long-awaited debut for the club with a goal and an excellent performance, highlighting why Manchester United had been so keen to retain her this summer. Clinton, who joined Manchester United in 2022 but spent last season on loan at Tottenham after a loan spell at Bristol City in the 2022-23 campaign, exerted her strength in the midfield and looked very much at home in the centre of the team.
