Marc Skinner: We gave everything
Marc Skinner was delighted with his players ‘instincts’ in Manchester United's 2-2 draw against Arsenal on Friday night.
Leah Galton cancelled out Stina Blackstenius’ early goal in the first half before debutants Hinata Miyazawa and Melvine Malard combined for our second of the evening.
It looked like we were closing in on a second Women's Super League victory of the new campaign but a long-range strike by Cloe Lacasse meant the two sides shared the points at Leigh Sports Village in front of a record home crowd.
Skinner spoke to the media after the game to give his thoughts on a breathless encounter...
On getting through Arsenal’s defence…
"They are a quality team and they utilise each of their players to their strengths. It pulls you out but we’re Manchester United and we are always going to attack. We leave the overload, we take the risk and try and attack as much as we can. They did that in attack but I thought they were quite vulnerable when we ran through them. I think if we had looked forward more in the first half and taken that driving into space I think we would have opened them up more. I think that is something that we will look on and reflect on. We are going to grow and we are going to get better at that but they gave everything tonight."
On whether it feels like a defeat…
"When you hit a goal like that, it’s always going to feel like a win for them. I am proud of our performance. It’s a top game and a top team. The game had errors from both teams, it wasn’t as free flowing as we would have wanted the game to have been but both teams tried to win the game. We didn’t manage it but we have come a long way where Arsenal are celebrating like that at the end. It means a lot to get a point at Manchester United now and long may that continue."
On substitutes combining for the second goal…
"People talk a lot about my rotation but the reality is that we have the quality of players to bring into the game. The more we get used to each other, the more options we have. When they came on they showed instinct. Melvine [Malard] read the gap, Hini [Miyazawa] found the space – it’s instinct from top players. We have that in players but we also had to create that in others. Now we are starting to get players who have that built in."
On frustrating Arsenal’s defence…
"They came in a bit late and it opened up pockets for us to run into. We need to utilise the space. We needed to look forward and run at them because they were slow. We could have gone in and out of the space quickly. For me it’s about the players taking the responsibility in the final third to face forward and attack the final third because Manchester United is [about] attacking. I felt like we could have been braver in our decisions at times."
On Millie Turner...
"She is wonderful at defending [in the] box when the ball comes in. She adds a real level for us. I think we are disappointed in the goal because Stina [Blackstenius] only really has a right foot and we didn't stop that right foot threat.We needed to release the centre-half quicker and then Millie and Maya [Le Tissier] would have been one and one and I think they are disappointed in it. From my perspective, I think we defended a lot of situations. Millie's header was key and there were loads of those moments that were key."