Skinner: Players can aspire to be in the first team

The Under-21s won the Academy Northern Division title on Wednesday and will face Arsenal for the National final next week.

As well as their success, the Under-16s are in action on Saturday in the U16s PGA final.

Ahead of United's the Women’s Super League game against Leicester City on Sunday, Skinner spoke to the press about his young players, his team selection and taking on the Foxes.

WE ARE PROUD

"This year we’ve had many, many occasions where our younger players have been training with the first team. I think that's really important. I've really enjoyed some of the qualities of the players as well. They stand out for their own qualities. What is fantastic is the success of the under-21s and now the 16s are in a final as well. It kind of gives them that that pressure early, that exposure to pressure. It's not going to help everyone at that young tender age but then it does help some and then they grow or they grow differently at those ages.

"I think access to training, access to the ideas, the same ideas as the first team players is important and then from there, I think pre-season will be key. I think we'll have a lot up in pre-season and I think we'll see a lot of them in games in pre-season too and from there we'll make a plan for each individual. Last season I implemented four academy graduate contracts so that each of our players could aspire to be in the first team on a full-time contract. That's something we'll continue for the ones that are ready. We’ll continue to develop that and give them a space to, to be a professional player."

EVERYONE WANTS TO PLAY EVERY MINUTE

"The thing is with our forward line is that we have different styles of forward. Mel [Malard] scored the weekend. She's a poacher. I think she's more deadly in the box but she has the ability to to move with her feet as well, of course, and create chances. Geyse is somebody that loves to to dribble and drive at defenders and commit. Lucia [Garcia] is an invader with obviously Leah [Galton] as well. Nikita [Parris] is deadly in the box once you can get into those position.

"Rachel [Williams] has this unique ability to frighten people with just the energy that she gives. We need them. We're playing different styles of play - possession based teams as well as kind of good pressing team. I've got to look at what how we set the tone in the press and then how we obviously look at creating and building and finishing chances. They all want to play every minute but, at this stage of the season, I want everybody to be at their very best in order to take chances and take opportunities when they come."

WE NEED TO BE RUTHLESS

"Some of Leicester’s results haven't been what they wanted, but their performances have been absolutely fine. When I watch them they creating chances. They should be scoring even against in the Tottenham game. There were moments where I felt that they could have took that game. I know Jenny Foster well, she was one of my assistants at Birmingham when I was there and I coached her in the centre of excellence, so I know her very well.

"To see their style continuing the way that they want to play - Leicester a very good team in my opinion. I think when we played them last time it was slightly different. I think they had four shots and scored and we drew the game. It's probably like that again where we need to dictate but I want us to be ruthless in both boxes. We have to get back to that. We've created against Tottenham lots and lots of chances to win the game and I don't think Tottenham had a shot second half. And that's where we have to get back to. But we have to win the game. We have to show our ruthless side in this game."

TEAM NEWS

"Jayde Riviere is back training individually. So she's back on the field and training hopefully can get her back in next week to be in contention for the Liverpool game but we'll see. And then everybody else is fit barring the longer-term injuries rate."

SECURE YOUR SEAT 

United Women have only one home game left in 2023/24 and it's at Old Trafford on Saturday 18 May (KO 15:00 BST), when Chelsea will be our visitors. 

It promises to be an exciting fixture to finish the season, with our opponents Chelsea still very much in the title race and preparing to say farewell to their head coach Emma Hayes.

Over 43,000 fans packed out Old Trafford earlier in the season for the Manchester derby and it’s set to be another fantastic afternoon.

Tickets are on sale now and start from just £15 for adults and £7.50 for concessions.