Skinner hopes Alessia Russo stays at Manchester United and opens up about the WSL star’s “true love” for the club

MARC SKINNER insists Manchester United have shown “a huge declaration of intent” by resisting Arsenal’s attempts to sign Alessia Russo.

The 39-year-old Red Devils boss promised fans the club will do everything they can to try and secure a new deal for the England ace.

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Skinner shared his reflections after a dramatic transfer day on Tuesday for United’s WSL side.

The club are reported to have turned down a second world record offer from the Gunners to sign Russo after an earlier offer from his rivals took place.

Arsenal are believed to have made a bid of around £500,000 for domestic transfers ahead of the 5pm deadline.

The 23-year-old WSL star, whose current contract with the Red Devils expires this summer, has been one of the club’s standout players this season.

The Man United striker, whose side play Everton on Sunday, has scored five times in nine Premier League games this season.

When asked how important it was for Russo to extend her United career beyond this summer, Skinner said: “It would be huge for us.

“I love Alessia’s qualities and what she adds to our group.

“We build and help these players to develop.

“We’re trying to build them up and give them the platform to be really top, top players and why would we want to stop that?

“We are one of, if not the, biggest club in the world.

“For us, it’s all about maintaining that momentum and we have a lot of work to do.

“But just because we keep Alessia in this window, for example, doesn’t mean that we are granted any rights.

“We have to work, we have to earn it and we will continue to do so.

“But it’s a big statement for us to tell her, ‘We appreciate you, I appreciate you and we want to build around you in the future’

“I will try everything in our power to do that.

“She really loves this club and we really love her.

“She’s exactly someone we want to keep here.

“She wants to win here and I was just repeating that she and I have always had this relationship where it’s business on the field.

“We will work to make her a better player and this club a better team.”

United are currently on pole position in the WSL on goal difference over Chelsea.

And while his players beat the Toffees 3-0 away last October, they host a fifth-placed Everton side who have won their last three league games.

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Results for Brian Sorensen’s side, who have Man City star Jess Park on loan, include wins against Tottenham, Reading and West Ham in December and January.

Skinner added, “We have a tough opponent on Sunday. Brian is an extremely competitive person.

“His team is really dangerous. We really have to show our game this weekend to win.”