She was recently acquired by Manchester City after leaving their cross-town rivals, Manchester United. The highly regarded England international made the switch ahead of the new season, entering the final year of her contract with United. Her signing should turn out to be a masterstroke move for Manchester United. They decided to sell her to City rather than potentially lose her for nothing next summer.
Clinton’s transfer is a deep departure from her previous career trajectory. She’s a brilliant player coming off successful spells on loan at both Bristol City and Tottenham Hotspur. Her phenomenal displays at Tottenham saw her awarded PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year for the 2023-24 season. This latest accomplishment is further testament to her unlimited potential and ability on the pitch.
Impressive Track Record
During the 2023-24 campaign, Grace Clinton was central in the attack for Manchester United, appearing in 28 matches in all competitions. Though short, she was a remarkable impact player for the team. Her nine goals made her the second-highest scorer in the tournament behind fellow semifinalist Elisabeth Terland. Clinton’s contributions were vital for United as they sought to compete at the highest levels of women’s football.
Clinton’s success extends beyond club football. For a long time, she was the heartbeat of the England national team. Her tactical innovations were crucial toward winning their upset, historic victory at the 2025 European Championships. This accomplishment is a momentous milestone. It was the first time an England senior team had won a major honour on foreign soil.
In truth, Manchester United’s decision to cut their losses with Clinton speaks to deeper problems within their squad. In the past few seasons, stars such as Alessia Russo, Ona Batlle, and Mary Earps have left the club. Their departures were the result of expiring contracts. United really needed to move quickly to avoid making the same mistake with their 2015 race. They worked to make sure that they could transport Clinton while the window was open.
A Fresh Start at Manchester City
Manchester City welcomed Grace Clinton with enthusiasm. Therese Sjogran, director of football for Manchester City Women, shared her delight at the signing.
“We are really pleased to have been able to bring Grace Clinton to Manchester City.” – Therese Sjogran
Clinton said that she is excited to join City and is looking forward to playing with some of the best talents in the league.
“City, for me, have always played an amazing style of football. There are amazing players here. Hemp, Bunny, Miedema, Hasegawa are just a few of them and I want to get better and grow and learn things in my career and I think there are amazing people here to learn things from.” – Grace Clinton
She said she had enjoyed playing that style of play back at City. It aligns like a well-placed through ball with her locally-rooted footballing aspirations.
“To play this style of football will be really enjoyable.” – Grace Clinton
After her transfer, Clinton is set to break out. She is set to make her Women’s Super League debut for Manchester City when they take on Chelsea in the league’s opener this Friday. Sky Sports will be showing the much-anticipated clash live. For example, they’ve made big strides in increasing their coverage of women’s football, promising to air at least 118 matches every season, a three-fold increase from years past.
Looking Ahead
As Grace Clinton starts this exciting new chapter with Manchester City, her move is indicative of wider developments within the women’s game. Clubs are increasingly scrutinizing player contracts and managing talent effectively to build competitive teams. Manchester United’s choice to sell Clinton protects their team. This decision furthers their commitment to deepening their competitive advantage in the league.
Clinton’s arrival at City not only bolsters their squad but signals a desire for continued growth and success in women’s football. Given her skill and drive, she is poised to be a profound force in her rookie season.
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