Man United Women make statement summer decision with contract extension for 'real leader'
Marc Skinner is preparing for the 2024/25 season with Manchester United.
Manchester United Women have made another significant move on the summer transfer window by activating a one-year extension in Nikita Parris’ contract. The Lioness will remain at the club until the end of the 2024/25 season.
Parris finished the 2023/24 campaign as United’s top goalscorer, with 16 in 30 appearances across all competitions. United initially signed the forward from Arsenal in 2022. Her extension comes at a key time in the club’s transfer window, having not long bid farewell to Mary Earps, Lucía García, and captain Katie Zelem.
Parris had previously rejected a lucrative offer to join National Women’s Soccer League outfit North Carolina Courage back in April, in order to prioritise United’s FA Cup pursuit. The Red Devils knocked Chelsea out of the competition in the semis at Leigh Sports Village, to book their spot against Tottenham Hotspur in the final. United dominated the clash at Wembley with a 4-0 win to lift their first piece of major silverware.
According to The Athletic, an agreement had been reached between United and North Carolina Courage over a deal that would have marked a record women’s sale for the Reds. Parris was in line to earn £1 million over a three-year contract but the 30-year-old made it clear she did not want to make any move until after the FA Cup final. With the Courage unwilling to wait and Parris firm on not missing the Wembley trip, the negotiations fell through.
Parris has committed to the 2024/25 season with United and is joined by new summer signings Dominique Janssen and Elisabeth Terland. Melvine Malard has also joined the club on a permanent deal, following her successful loan spell from Lyon.
Earlier in the year during Parris’ influential run in front of goal, United manager Marc Skinner said: “Nikita said to me when she first came in that she wanted to play with a fire in her belly and it was going to take time. I think she is performing that way perfectly... She’s one of the top scorers, she is on fire at the minute and credit to her, she’s a real leader in the team.”