Marc Skinner believes that the Manchester United fans will play a defining role in Sunday’s derby.
The Reds welcome our intercity rivals Manchester City to Leigh Sports Village for the WSL’s evening kick-off, as we continue the push for our first top-flight title.
Just as they have done many times this term, the boss is convinced the home faithful at LSV can give us the edge in what will be a
Ahead of the game, Marc sat down with club media in the week to discuss our supporters' impact, bouncing back from the FA Cup final defeat, squad availability and more in an exclusive interview, which you can read - and watch - in full below...
Just as they have done many times this term, the boss is convinced the home faithful at LSV can give us the edge in what will be a
“tough”game against a very good City side.
Ahead of the game, Marc sat down with club media in the week to discuss our supporters' impact, bouncing back from the FA Cup final defeat, squad availability and more in an exclusive interview, which you can read - and watch - in full below...
Marc, how are you? And how are the players after last week?
There are two games left. How has training been this week for the final push?
“Great. And, again, I'm going to ask my players to not think of it as a final push and [instead] think of it as a professional performance. So we have to give energy, regardless. We've got two games left and two winnable games that we think we should be giving our best for. So now, I'm going to make sure that they are in the right energy, right headspace and really just enjoy them. We've put ourselves in a really great position, [so] go and enjoy them. If we do that, I feel that we can get the results.”
“Yeah, look, they're good. They're recovering. The reality is it's a huge game for the weekend anyway, so we'll be ready. I think more importantly, the energy was good after the game because I felt that we put a really good account of ourselves on the field and one moment we slipped on in terms of concentration. But I thought the girls were excellent up until that point and beyond. So yeah, look, it's a tough one to take result-wise, but performance-wise, I'm really, really happy with the players and the noise from the fans and the support from the staff and everything. The only negative for me was the result at the end.”
There are two games left. How has training been this week for the final push?
“Great. And, again, I'm going to ask my players to not think of it as a final push and [instead] think of it as a professional performance. So we have to give energy, regardless. We've got two games left and two winnable games that we think we should be giving our best for. So now, I'm going to make sure that they are in the right energy, right headspace and really just enjoy them. We've put ourselves in a really great position, [so] go and enjoy them. If we do that, I feel that we can get the results.”
Have we got any injury concerns this weekend?
Derby games are always special. The game at the Etihad obviously finished in a draw. How are you feeling about this game? Do you feel like you've got that extra bit to get the win this time?
“I feel that there were really good moments for us in that game for a large period. I feel that our fans will be a huge difference in this game at Leigh. Hopefully, it's sold out and you know, we're focused on giving that energy that only our fans can give. But I think that we learned a lot from that. I think this season we've performed in big stadiums, with big experiences and I feel that we've come out at the right end of those, most of those. So when I look at this game, I feel that Manchester City, look, they're tough. Anyone in that bracket can hurt any team within that top part of the table. So I feel that we've got to be at our very best. But we believe in ourselves. We believe that we can beat Manchester City. But I'll be very clear, we have no right to do that. And at any point, this team, Chelsea or Arsenal, can hurt each other at any point. So we've got to be really focused for a full 90 and give absolutely everything. If we do that, of course, we can win the game.”
“Not right now. We've got two sessions left, but not right now, so everyone else should be in contention for the squad.”
Derby games are always special. The game at the Etihad obviously finished in a draw. How are you feeling about this game? Do you feel like you've got that extra bit to get the win this time?
“I feel that there were really good moments for us in that game for a large period. I feel that our fans will be a huge difference in this game at Leigh. Hopefully, it's sold out and you know, we're focused on giving that energy that only our fans can give. But I think that we learned a lot from that. I think this season we've performed in big stadiums, with big experiences and I feel that we've come out at the right end of those, most of those. So when I look at this game, I feel that Manchester City, look, they're tough. Anyone in that bracket can hurt any team within that top part of the table. So I feel that we've got to be at our very best. But we believe in ourselves. We believe that we can beat Manchester City. But I'll be very clear, we have no right to do that. And at any point, this team, Chelsea or Arsenal, can hurt each other at any point. So we've got to be really focused for a full 90 and give absolutely everything. If we do that, of course, we can win the game.”
You've just mentioned the fans there. It is a sell-out this weekend. How important are they going to be?
It is the final home game of the season. Have you got a message for the fans?
“Just that I'm so proud, and privileged. You know, I'll probably put out a message at the end of the season based on the fact that we've still got to focus and it is easy to be emotional right now. But the reality is that we've still got business to do. But they are the most important to what we do. As I say, when I factor in how I think this team should be, I don't think we're anything without our fans. So for me, they mean the world and I'll find the most appropriate words to tell them that and show them that. But I hope that they see that through our performances this year. There have been many occasions where we talked about our path to personality from the games we've played this year before the final, and when I look at those factors, I look at all of the games where we've won late or we've dominated the game, or we've gone away to big stadiums and won and right within the core of that are the fans. So, as honestly and genuinely as I can say that, they are the most important thing to what we do because without them I just don't feel that we'd be in a space where we could perform the way we do. They are literally the most important thing.”
“They're going to be huge. 12th man, 12th woman, 12th boy, 12th girl. They're going to be huge. They are a determining factor now in games for us, I felt when I started my career that fans are someone you perform for. But actually, there was never enough when I was at my other clubs that it really made a difference. Whereas here I feel like they're actually part of the performance. Now, I feel that you can plan the noise of the crowd into the performance parameters for the game and especially our fans, like even at Wembley, obviously Chelsea have their end and we have our end. But then throughout the whole stadium is Manchester United fans. So it's a huge, huge honour to perform for them as a team. And I think they're going to be a determining factor in this. Absolutely. Something that would in a tight game, hopefully tilt it our way and all we can do is put on a performance that gives them energy and gets them right behind us.”
It is the final home game of the season. Have you got a message for the fans?
“Just that I'm so proud, and privileged. You know, I'll probably put out a message at the end of the season based on the fact that we've still got to focus and it is easy to be emotional right now. But the reality is that we've still got business to do. But they are the most important to what we do. As I say, when I factor in how I think this team should be, I don't think we're anything without our fans. So for me, they mean the world and I'll find the most appropriate words to tell them that and show them that. But I hope that they see that through our performances this year. There have been many occasions where we talked about our path to personality from the games we've played this year before the final, and when I look at those factors, I look at all of the games where we've won late or we've dominated the game, or we've gone away to big stadiums and won and right within the core of that are the fans. So, as honestly and genuinely as I can say that, they are the most important thing to what we do because without them I just don't feel that we'd be in a space where we could perform the way we do. They are literally the most important thing.”