Skinner: What I'd like to see against City

Sunday 27 February 2022 10:00

Manchester United Women’s head coach Marc Skinner is expecting a fierce FA Cup tie at midday today, when the Reds face Manchester City for a place in the quarter-finals.

United return to action following the recent international break and will be looking to put in a response following our 1-0 WSL defeat against the Blues just two weeks ago. 

Given our opponents have lifted the FA Cup three times in the past five years, Skinner is fully aware of the challenge that lies ahead at Leigh Sports Village.

Skinner: Key moments matter Video

Skinner: Key moments matter

Marc Skinner issues a message to his team ahead of Sunday's FA Cup clash with Man City...

"It’s always going to be a tough game," said the Reds' boss. "What I’d like to see a bit more this time when we play them is just more aggression with the ball.

"I felt that we were defensively excellent [in the last game against City], I feel like we have definitely grown there as well. 

"I have watched other games between tough teams and there is some excellent defending there. We must continue that."

Skinner’s side have been in superb defensive form in recent months, keeping eight clean sheets over the past 12 fixtures.

While the Reds will clearly be hoping to build on that in the fifth-round tie against the Blues and perform well in our half of the pitch, the head coach has also emphasised the need for more self-belief when we're on the attack ourselves.

Preview: United Women v Manchester City

 Article

It’s FA Cup weekend, with the Reds keen to advance to the quarter-finals at the expense of our nearest rivals.

"I’d like to see us be way more aggressive with the ball, take the opponent on, and I think that will be the psychological growth that I’m asking our group to continue with.

"We’ve been excellent so far with it but I just want to remind them that your moments matter. 

"Be who you are in those moments. That’s what we are going to keep asking, especially going into this game.

"We’ve earned our right to go into this round and we have earned the right to play against Manchester City and show our qualities that we have."

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