Skinner: Our fans deserve this trip to Wembley

United came from behind in the second half to secure a place at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final, with goals from Leah Galton, Alessia Russo and Rachel Williams claiming the 3-2 victory.

"It was the good, the bad and the ugly from us," began Skinner, when speaking to MUTV after the full-time whistle.

"We were not at our very best. We conceded two goals that we don’t usually concede. Brighton did not make it easy for us. This team have shown they can win when the result has to matter."

Brighton took the lead in the first half through a rare Mary Earps mistake but the half-time team talk gave the players what they needed to come out and attack in the second half.

"At half-time we had words as a collective and the team agreed," continued Skinner. "The energy needs to be better.

"We talk about tactics and formations and all of this but when Brighton set up for a free-kick and we are walking back letting them set up, when we walk for throw-ins, that’s not good enough. And we saw in the second half a much better improvement.

"We immediately came out and were energetic. The words at half-time came from the players. At times as a manager you shout and at times you provoke. For us it was the provocation of "Is that performance us?" and all the players agreed it was not.

"If the players don’t take responsibility, you are not going to get that result."

Both Brighton goals came from moments that were uncharacteristic for this Manchester United side. The visitors’ second came after Danielle Carter capitalised on an error by Millie Turner, but Skinner is pleased with the resilience of his team.

"They are hugely important wins like this. Even more that when we are playing our best, we have tended at times when we are winning comfortably to switch off and today we made sure we never gave up.

"Last year when we were losing we couldn’t really bounce back and that has shown how far we have come as a team. We have taken knocks this year and we have found a mentality. My job is not to dictate or control, there is no walk of life where that is okay.

"We can talk about [Mary Earps’s] mistake but did you see the world class save she made in the second half? At the end I reminded her that she has minimalised mistakes this year and that world class save could have easily led to a goal. It’s done, we learn, we move on. It’s the same for every player."

With the game tied Skinner brought Williams on for Russo, with the substitute going on to score the winning goal.

"Alessia has had a lot of minutes for England as well. We wanted to make that going into this run-in that we have all of our players available," Skinner explained.

"The decision to take her off was a lot about preservation but also because we knew that Williams could have an impact. If I was playing against Rachel I would hate it. She wants the ball, she’s committed, she’s physically a beast.

"She shows the beauty of the finish. She told me she was rubbish in training all week on finishing so she decided not to go across her so she decided to go into the near corner.

"Rachel was so calm when I wanted to bring her on. Her experience is what we were missing last year."

The result means that United Women are heading to Wembley for our first-ever FA Cup final and while the players are already focused on the upcoming Barclays Women’s Super League game against Arsenal on Wednesday, they are excited about the opportunity.

Skinner continued: "It means a massive amount for us and for our fans. Our fans deserve it because their voice in the second half was insane.

"The energy of the fans fuelled me. I am so excited about it but then at the same time I am already focusing on Wednesday’s match.

"I have been to Wembley before [with Birmingham] and we lost that game and I just want to give everything so we don’t repeat. We have a really hungry group of players who will give everything they have for success."