When Manchester City and Manchester United completed a stunning deadline day deal that saw Jess Park and Grace Clinton swap clubs, there were big questions to be asked of things on the red side of the city. Given United were in need of much greater depth in their squad, it didn't make total sense for them to engage in a one-in, one-out deal, particularly as it saw them bid farewell to one of their biggest stars.
However, while the situation surrounding Park's arrival at Carrington might have been criticised, none of that was related to the England star herself. In the 23-year-old, United were getting a fantastic talent, one who has proven her incredible technical quality and footballing intelligence since joining Man City as a teenager and debuting for the Lionesses three years ago.
And still, Park's new coach, Marc Skinner, was confident that he could take her to even higher levels in his team. "I think we can get even more out of her than she's shown at City," he said bullishly, the day after the transfer was confirmed. Through the first few weeks of the season, he's set his side up to fulfil that promise in a way that has not only made Park a stand-out performer to this point, but also fellow England star Ella Toone in United's unbeaten start.