Skinner: We’ll have to earn everything

United have made an unbeaten start to 2022 in the WSL and head to the Academy Stadium on Sunday looking to extend that with a first-ever league victory over the Blues. 

Gareth Taylor’s City side have lost just one of their last six outings in the competition – a narrow defeat to Chelsea last Sunday – making it a matchup of two in-form outfits this weekend. 

Skinner is fully aware of the assignment that awaits his team and what it will take to record a desired triumph on enemy soil. 

“Three points will only come if we are fully committed, fully focused and I feel that’s what we are going to prepare for in this game,” Marc says in his pre-match interview with club media. 

“We can never guarantee the result. We can only guarantee the performance which then puts us in the best position to get the result. 

“You don’t go to Manchester City in an arrogant way and think you can just roll over them and take the points. We have to go and work and earn everything. Only then, do our true qualities show.

“We know how difficult it’s going to be, but the more we prepare ourselves for that, the more we’re ready for the battle that will ensue I’m sure on Sunday.”

Despite being yet to get one over on our rivals in the league, the Reds have beaten City in cup competition already this season, having drawn 2-2 in the reverse fixture a few weeks earlier. 

Our head coach says those matches will stand us in good stead ahead of this weekend’s fixture. 

“I think it does [breed confidence]. It shows these are tight games, they are an excellent team. I know everyone talks about their form pre-Christmas, but really, they had a lot of players out. 

“I understand from a coaching perspective that Gareth [Taylor] had a lot of issues he had to deal with at that time but now they’re back to almost full strength and have shown their qualities too.

“What’s important is we take the mindset that we have now. If we are where we want to be is considered to be a big team and a team that wants to push right to the limit to get successes, we have to have the mindset in this game and that’s all I see from the players now," he adds.

“We know we’ve got to go there and put in a great performance to take points from the game but that’s what we’re prepared to do. We’ve got to give absolutely everything, and I think that’s what the players will be prepared to do.”

In the pre-match interview, Skinner also provided our latest team news, including an update on midfielder Lucy Staniforth who successfully underwent a knee operation earlier this week.

“Lucy Stan’s had an operation so we’re looking forward to now getting back on the road to rehabilitation for her and getting her back to where we want,” Skinner tells club media.

“She’s been missed – great character, great footballer. 

“Jade [Moore] is just again now back on the pitch jogging and we’re seeing a progression there. Apart from that, everyone’s fit and raring to go.”