Skinner: Old Trafford game will be a showcase
Marc Skinner is ready for one final showcase this weekend in the final day of the Barclays Women’s Super League season.
There is only one game of the campaign left for the Reds as we welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford on Saturday.
After winning the FA Cup final last weekend, having beaten Emma Hayes’ side in the previous round, Skinner is confident this weekend's fixture will be another one to remember.
Ahead of the clash, the Reds’ boss spoke to the press about facing the Blues and embedding players into the squad. He also provided an update on Leah Galton who came off injured at Wembley.
IT’S GOING TO BE A SHOWCASE
“There's loads of narratives [in this game]. It depends on what angle you look at. We know how difficult it is to play against Chelsea. Even in the semi-final where we won, there were moments we had to dig deep and defend. Chelsea can attack any team throughout the land. We've got to be at our very best.
“It's going to be hopefully a showpiece for us, to come off the back of an FA Cup win and show everybody the experiences that we've had and use it as a growth moment again. Having success at the weekend and then coming into a big game like this, hopefully, it gives us that impetus and it's a platform we want to build from.”
IT TAKES TIME TO EMBED
“It takes a while to embed into a different football culture. The way that we play, the way that our identity is different to than they've played before, but we identified their skill set that they had. Hinata [Miyazawa] has fantastic momentum and control. She has the ability to kind of calm everybody else around her down but she has to get used to the physicality. I think in Japan she's one of the most physical players but in England she fits within the middle ground. She's experiencing that, she's learning.
“Ire [Guerrero] is exactly the same. She's come from a league which is more cautious in its build-up, but obviously it's technically really, really proficient. It's about sensing where to be when the ball transitions. I think there are more transitions in our league. It's about timing and it's about when to introduce players and if they haven't had a chance right now, then they've got to keep growing towards that. That's football.
“Our players understand that they're earning their right and I must stress, Ire has been absolutely magnificent throughout the whole season. Her professionalism is second to none. She's been incredible around the group and she's learning how to play our style, so it can only build for a better future for Manchester United.”
WE WILL CELEBRATE AT OLD TRAFFORD
“I like to think we'll parade the trophy in front of our home fans. It’s such a glorious stadium. But we've also got to treat the game with the respect levels it needs. We want to celebrate our success because I think you should celebrate a success like that but also we're playing the champions at our home ground and we know how difficult that is. So we've got to give absolutely everything in order to do that.
“I think it will be a great experience. I'm hoping we can pack out the stadium. I'm hoping that our fans will turn out in their numbers in order to see the players and obviously celebrate the success that we've had, but also support us against a really tough opponent. I'm hoping that will be the case and I'm sure it will be.”
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INJURY NEWS
“We're still assessing Leah Galton - she'll miss this weekend, there's no doubt about that, but once we have an update, I'll let you know. She seems in good spirits of course, with an FA Cup final winner's medal!
“Everyone's available, barring Leah. I see the players again for the first time again today. The medical team will assess today. That might change as we've got another three sessions before we play Saturday.”
SECURE YOUR SEAT FOR THE FINAL GAME
United Women have only one home game left in 2023/24 and it's at Old Trafford on Saturday 18 May (KO 15:00 BST), when Chelsea will be our visitors.
It promises to be an exciting fixture to finish the season, with the Blues being still very much in the title race and preparing to say farewell to their head coach Emma Hayes.
Over 43,000 fans packed out Old Trafford earlier in the season for the Manchester derby and it’s set to be another fantastic afternoon.
Tickets are on sale here and start from just £15 for adults and £7.50 for concessions.