Skinner: We'll fix uncharacteristic performance

United came into the game at Anfield off the back of seven successive league wins and initially dominated proceedings. But two Liverpool goals late in the first half made it an uphill battle after the break, with the hosts adding a third from the penalty spot before Maya Le Tissier netted a consolation.

Skinner felt that United had "control of the game" but were let down by momentary lapses and a lack of attacking ruthlessness, which he said hasn't usually been the case for the Reds this season.

"We need to assess what we've done and make it better for next week," the boss told MUTV after the final whistle, referencing the upcoming away trip to Aston Villa in nine days.

"The detail in our crossing today was off. The delivery needed to be better. If you look at it, there's spaces where we've cut in and it's just slashing at the ball. That's way I say it was uncharacteristic.

"I looked at it and thought, 'changes?' But actually we had control of the game for quite a lot of it. But we weren't ruthless enough in that final third and you've got to take your moments in games like this. If [with] their first touch in the box, they score, that's on us and we have to be better at fixing that."

On a more positive note, Gabby George's withdrawal early in the second half was confirmed to be precautionary.

She still needs to be properly assessed, but the message from the boss was: "I don't think there's an injury there."

Skinner also took a moment to discuss the loving tribute to Poppy Atkinson, whose name appeared on the starting XI graphic published before the game, and on a shirt placed on a seat in the away dugout. A moment's silence also paid respects to the 10-year-old, tragically killed earlier this month.

"Poppy never got a chance to be named in a Manchester United team, that she loved. We thought tonight that we wanted to give her an opportunity to be part of the team," Skinner explained.

"She'll always be part of our team, and forever a fan of Manchester United. We'll forever be a fan of hers. It was just a moment to share with her family, so that her family get to see her represent the team she loved. We send them all of our love and, of course, it's heartbreaking, but if there's anything we can do, we'll help."