Skinner: Leicester are in a different space
Head coach Marc Skinner says that his Manchester United side will be “fully charged” and ready for what will be a “difficult” Women’s Super League game against Leicester City at the weekend.
The Reds go into the game looking to pick up points that will aid our push for a top-three spot, while Leicester are looking to establish some more breathing room in their quest to retain their top-flight status at the first time of asking.
Despite occupying the second-from-bottom place in the table, the Foxes have impressed since recently appointed manager Lydia Bedford took charge in December and are one of the division’s form teams, having won four of their last six WSL matches.
Saturday’s game will be our third meeting of the campaign with the Midlands club, after a defeat on penalties at home to the Foxes in the Continental Tyres League Cup group stage followed on from our victory in the league’s reverse fixture earlier in the season.
Skinner's Leicester preview
Marc discusses the Foxes' improved form and provides the latest team news...
Ahead of the match-up’s next instalment, our head coach was asked about the previous meetings and the challenge that our opponents will pose this time around, come kick-off on Saturday.
“The second game, I think Leicester had two chances, one of them from us, and they took them,” Skinner reflects to MUTV’s Ben Ibson.
“But I think they’re in a different space now, I think they play a different style. Lydia’s come in and all the respect for her and the development she’s given to their team.
“This is a difficult game and we’re going to be fully charged, ready to go into it.”
Skinner has explained the things he wants his side to take from the most recent of those defeats, in the Cup last Sunday, into the final eight games of the season.
“There’s some emotion of things we want to push into this game and the remaining games because we weren’t happy with that. To be so good for 45 minutes and to allow it to fall away.
“In these last eight games, we want to control as much as we possibly can. That’s what we’re used to doing and what we have been doing.
“It’s something you have to remind yourself of. It’s an experience we’re going to learn from and grow from, but all I’m going to ask is [my players] continue to give absolutely everything in every game with no regrets.
“With the qualities we have, there’s no room for anything else other than positivity there. We’ll put that into the upcoming performances.”
Preview: United Women v Leicester City
ArticleTicket info, kick-off time and team news are all included ahead of Saturday’s WSL clash at Leigh Sports Village.
In his pre-match interview with MUTV, United Women’s head coach also provided an insight into how his squad is shaping up ahead of the clash, which included news of two fresh absentees and a positive update on the recoveries of Lucy Staniforth and Jade Moore.
“Aoife [Mannion] will be out, so will Hayley Ladd. Lucy Stan is progressing nicely which is great, she’ll be back to running next week we believe.
“Jade Moore has had some positive news this week in terms of she’s been around the team training, which is great. Hopefully, in the next few weeks we’ll have some positive news about her being potentially involved in some of the games coming up.
“Hayley won’t be too long,” he adds.
“Everyone apart from that is raring to go for Saturday.”