Skinner: We won't rotate team for the sake of it
Manchester United Women head coach Marc Skinner insists that his team to face Everton in Wednesday’s Continental Tyres League Cup tie won’t feature rotation for the sake of it.
Skinner has taken the opportunity to give minutes to players across his squad during our two games in the competition so far, but as he explained in his pre-match press conference, that is due to the quality in depth he has at his disposal.
With United potentially facing elimination from the competition tomorrow evening, Skinner was asked how much he will change his team from the one that started in the WSL at the weekend, and how he will balance that rhythm with freshness, with plenty on the line at Leigh Sports Village.
With United potentially facing elimination from the competition tomorrow evening, Skinner was asked how much he will change his team from the one that started in the WSL at the weekend, and how he will balance that rhythm with freshness, with plenty on the line at Leigh Sports Village.
“We have to define what rotation means. It’s not just putting other people into the game,” Marc told reporters during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
“I’m putting international players into games, players who are hungry, who are training well. Because everybody is performing well, it really is the hardest part of my job to pick this team.
“For me, it will be a balance point. There will be rotation but not for the sake of it, for the quality of it. It’s just natural when you’ve got a three-game week for us to do that anyway.
“Our sole focus is on trying to win the game tomorrow, City [at the weekend] comes after that.”
“I’m putting international players into games, players who are hungry, who are training well. Because everybody is performing well, it really is the hardest part of my job to pick this team.
“For me, it will be a balance point. There will be rotation but not for the sake of it, for the quality of it. It’s just natural when you’ve got a three-game week for us to do that anyway.
“Our sole focus is on trying to win the game tomorrow, City [at the weekend] comes after that.”
Aside from long-term absentee Aoife Mannion, Skinner is set to have a full squad to choose from again, in the first of three final games before Christmas.
Our head coach shared praise for both the players and the medical team for that positive situation, while providing another positive update on the soon-to-return Mannion.
“No negatives. Everyone barring Aoife is available for selection.
“Aoife may be put into the squad for the next couple of games before Christmas, but it will obviously be the aim for her to be ready to train with the team fully and be engaged with games after Christmas.
“It’s a really positive moment. The medical team and the players are doing a great job keeping everybody healthy.”
Our head coach shared praise for both the players and the medical team for that positive situation, while providing another positive update on the soon-to-return Mannion.
“No negatives. Everyone barring Aoife is available for selection.
“Aoife may be put into the squad for the next couple of games before Christmas, but it will obviously be the aim for her to be ready to train with the team fully and be engaged with games after Christmas.
“It’s a really positive moment. The medical team and the players are doing a great job keeping everybody healthy.”
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United have two points from our opening two games in the tournament, following draws with Aston Villa and Durham, in which our opponents both took an extra point from the respective games having won the subsequent penalty shootouts.
To maintain a realistic chance of qualification, the Reds will be looking for more from our penultimate game in the group, against Everton, and Skinner believes patience could be the key.
“As a team, we want to try and win the ball high, try and win the ball back early.
“Everton have the quality to possess the ball for longer periods. For us, at times, it’s about staying compact, allowing our opponents to have the ball and knowing when to jump and when to press. [There will need to be] a little bit more patience from us in this game.
“Then when we do [press], it's about opening them up and being ruthless. That’s what I’m enjoying from the team so far this season, being ruthless in moments.”
To maintain a realistic chance of qualification, the Reds will be looking for more from our penultimate game in the group, against Everton, and Skinner believes patience could be the key.
“As a team, we want to try and win the ball high, try and win the ball back early.
“Everton have the quality to possess the ball for longer periods. For us, at times, it’s about staying compact, allowing our opponents to have the ball and knowing when to jump and when to press. [There will need to be] a little bit more patience from us in this game.
“Then when we do [press], it's about opening them up and being ruthless. That’s what I’m enjoying from the team so far this season, being ruthless in moments.”
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