Manchester United Women reached the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals on Thursday, as Marc Skinner also celebrated a significant personal achievement.
Our second-leg success over Atletico Madrid, with Julia Zigiotti and Jess Park scoring first-half goals, secured a 5-0 aggregate win, and we will now meet Bayern Munich in the last eight.
It was the 100th victory that Skinner has masterminded as United boss since he replaced Casey Stoney in July 2021, with the century coming in his 156th match in charge.
That means the former Birmingham City and Orlando Pride manager has a 64 per cent win rate over the course of half a decade.
The bulk of the successes have arrived in the WSL, where Marc has won 63 of 104 matches.
The Reds recorded a club-best finish of second during the 2022/23 season and that position could be emulated this term, as we compete with Arsenal and Chelsea to try and close the gap on league leaders Manchester City.
A further 15 wins have been recorded in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, the competition in which we triumphed back in 2024.
That final conquest at Wembley, as we beat Spurs 4-0, is undoubtedly the finest moment in Skinner’s spell so far, but a second piece of silverware could follow as early as next month.
United take on Chelsea at Ashton Gate on 15 March in the Subway Women’s League Cup final, and a 14th victory in the competition under Skinner would be enough to claim another trophy.
The remainder of the wins have come in the Champions League – nine and counting, after Atleti were overcome handsomely over two legs.
There’s a good balance between wins at home and away – 53 as hosts, 44 on the road and three at a neutral venue, with those split between Stockholm’s 3Arena (x2) and Wembley.
Leigh Sports Village, now the Progress With Unity Stadium, has witnessed 48 of Marc’s 100 victories, while there have been a further five at Old Trafford.
United have won 22 games this season, the second-most in one campaign since the 25 recorded in 2022/23.
With at least 10 outings left on the schedule this term, there will be plenty of opportunities to pass that mark in the weeks to come.
As we celebrate Marc’s milestone, here are eight standout occasions from over the years…
Win #1: 2-0 v Reading, 3 September 2021
Marc’s first match at the helm and it couldn’t have gone much better, as Leigh welcomed fans back after the Covid pandemic. Kirsty Hanson and Ona Batlle grabbed the goals to see off the Royals.
Win #14: 3-1 v Everton, 27 March 2022
Alessia Russo was the star as the Reds played at Old Trafford in front of a crowd for the very first time. Over 20,000 witnessed a classic United comeback, with Russo scoring twice and Katie Zelem netting a penalty after Claire Emslie’s opener.
Win #20: 3-2 v Arsenal, 19 November 2022
Another superb turnaround saw Millie Turner and Russo net in the final five minutes to clinch victory and end the Gunners’ long unbeaten run.
Win #56: 2-1 v Chelsea, 14 April 2024
A maiden win over the Blues, and one which secured a second successive cup final spot. Lucia Garcia and Rachel Williams were on the scoresheet, with Mary Earps particularly impressive in goal as we held on against Emma Hayes’s side.
Win #58: 4-0 v Spurs, 12 May 2024
Glory in the capital! Ella Toone’s stunner is the lasting memory from a fine afternoon, which also saw Garcia (twice) and Williams net as we ran away with it after the break.
Win #69: 4-2 v Man City, 19 January 2025
Toone grabbed a sensational hat-trick in a classic derby at the Etihad Stadium. This would prove key come the end of the season, when we pipped City to a Champions League spot.
Win #89: 2-1 v PSG, 12 November 2025
The Reds have pushed new boundaries in the Champions League this term and arguably the most memorable moment came at Old Trafford, as Melvine Malard and Fridolina Rolfo struck to help us overcome the Parisians.
Win #94: 1-0 v Arsenal, 21 January 2026
Elisabeth Terland’s effort was enough to see off the north Londoners and secure a place in the League Cup final for the first time ever.