Man United manager Marc Skinner praises new recruit Julia Zigiotti Olme – “she’s been exceptional.”
The Swedish midfielder has gotten off to a fast start since her arrival at Manchester United, playing a strong role in the side’s 4-0 victory over Leciester City in the Women’s Super League (WSL) opener.
Man United head coach Marc Skinner told The Halfway Line that her strong start is something he foresaw, because of her quality.
“I said when we signed her, that our fans would be really impressed with her,” Skinner praised of Zigiotti Olme. “She does all the hard work. The beauty is, every game she comes off, she goes, can I find a better space here? Can I find a better space there? She’s always talking about in possession.
“I said to her yesterday after training that sometimes it’s the reading of the game that she gives us. She makes defending look easy because you’ve already defended before we’ve lost the ball, and she controls transition.
“As a coach, the most unpredictable part of the game is the transition part, and especially transition from attack to defence. So having her in there, someone that reads the game, especially with Hini [Hinata Miyazawa] as well, it’s such a nice partnership to be able to create that. She’s she’s been exceptional. I really look forward to seeing her growth as well with the ball, as well as without the ball.”
Skinner also spoke on the budding partnership between Ella Toone and Elisabeth Terland, who have starred for the side in the opening weeks of the 2025/26 competitive campaign.
“It’s a little bit different,” Skinner analysed. “Last year we’ve seen a lot of Gabby [George] being on the left hand side as well. The reason I talk about that is because Ella had been operating on the left in these few games. With Melvine [Malard], and especially Anna [Sandberg], I think it’s been really good coming into the first few games.
“It gives that outlet to actually the support Toone around those situations. There’s no one better than Ella to find those spaces when she’s in there. So Teri’s [Elisabeth Terland] little runs, Tooney sees it before almost the forward sees it. So I think having support around her in those areas is vital.
“I’ve even enjoyed the other day [against Leicester]. So it’s about Elisabeth and Tooney, but even Mel [Malard] and Tooney. A couple of Tooney’s chances were created from little give and goes with both players. So I think if we can create that fluidity, and keep the opponent guessing, we can do that. Then I think you’re going to create a lot of chances to be able to score goals.”
Manchester United will travel to Norway this Thursday September 11, to face SK Brann in the second round of UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers.
