Manchester United Manager, Marc Skinner spoke to the media ahead of the side’s Women’s Super League match against Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday.
The Red Devils travel to N17 in second place, seven points behind league leaders Chelsea. Skinner’s side are in very good league form, having scored seven goals in their past two matches, with Ella Toone backing up her Manchester Derby hat trick with another goal in the 3-0 win over Brighton last Sunday.
Skinner spoke to the media the day after the transfer window slammed shut, with United signing Kayla Rendell from Southampton as the only incoming.
Several young prospects completed loan moves, as Jess Simpson moved to Bristol City at the start of the month, Emma Watson heading down the M4 to Liverpool, Lucy Newell to Blackburn Rovers and Amelia Oldroyd moving to Burnley two days before the deadline.
Skinner says transfer activity is ‘fantastic’ for the women’s game
This particular transfer window has exceeded all expectations for fans of the women’s game, as Chelsea pushed the world-record fee upwards in a transfer deal for Naomi Girma.
Whilst Manchester United have only added one body to their squad in the shape Rendell, the Red Devils boss- who has experience in the women’s game stretching nine years- reflects on the positive growth.
“With my women’s football hat on, it’s fantastic. It’s amazing we can get to this level of investment in the women’s game. As the Manchester United manager, I want to be ultra-competitive and push them as much as possible. These moves definitely skew the market a little, but I don’t think Chelsea will be moaning about that,” Skinner expressed.
“Overall, it’s fantastic to see the growth as I remember when there was no money in it, but we will see the fallout and how that affects everybody, so I understand those perspectives [as well].”
United already sit seven points behind the Blues at the summit, with many fans now wary that Chelsea’s transfer market activity will widen the gap.
“It has to make you try harder, right? That’s the reality. On the pitch you have to find solutions and you have to adapt. I don’t know if many players of that calibre have been signed in this type of window before, so for us it is most definitely a challenge. All we can really do, is just be us, go about it our own way and focus on what we can control”.
United head coach pins recent success down to ‘work rate’
One of the main things that has stuck out about United’s achievements this season is the side’s stellar defensive record. Skinner’s team have registered eight clean sheets, and have conceded just five goals.
“I put it down to the work rate of the whole team,” analysed Skinner.
“When you look at the physical data from the Brighton game, the majority of our players were in the top bracket for high intensity, high speed and long distance running. It’s energy, commitment and working as a whole unit.
“I do think Dom [Dominique Janssen] has added some really good ground coverage in the middle of the park, she does a lot of unselfish work in there, where we have been exposed before. We know what we are and what we want to do. Phallon [Tullis-Joyce] has been fantastic and so has the backline, but I do put it down to the work of the whole team.”
‘If you share it, it becomes a little less to hold’
Ella Toone recently penned a heartfelt piece in The Players Tribune in tribute to her late father in the week just gone, as rhe midfielder returns to football after the heartbreaking loss of her father, Nick.
When asked what he has learnt about himself as a manager when working as a support system for players, Skinner said “It’s tough, I’ve been through lots of experiences and you feel it with them, for example Geyse and Tooney, horrific situations.
“You can only try and measure to look after your mental wellbeing, and for me my sanctuary is my family. My biggest takeaway from it all is tackle the problem. Speak to the people involved, if you share it, it becomes a little bit less to hold.”
