Man United head coach Marc Skinner pressed his side to ’empty the tank’ as the end of the WSL season draws close.
After falling out of the UEFA Women’s Champions League at the quarter final stage, Manchester United will place their sole focus on the Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) as they prepare for a nail biting fight for a European spot.
United look ahead to a meeting with Tottenham Hotspur, a challenge that Marc Skinner says his side are prepared for.
Man United star Ella Toone a ‘hopeful’ for Sunday
Speaking to the media on Friday, Skinner began with an update on the lengthy list of current injuries to the squad. One update which will likely be music to the ears of United fans as they head into three big games is that playmaker Ella Toone, who hasn’t featured since Spurs’ visit to Leigh Sports Village in December, is training and a hopeful to be involved at the weekend. Anna Sandberg and Leila Wangerheim are also back in contention for Sunday, while Leah Galton is still working her way back and may be fit to feature against Brighton. Dominique Janssen and Elisabeth Terland are “back on the field”, but Sunday will be too soon for them, and they may have to wait until the final game against Chelsea to make their return. Unfortunately, 16-year-old Layla Drury, who made her WSL debut earlier this year, picked up an injury on international duty with Wales and will be out for the rest of the season.
Man United must ‘absolutely empty the tank’ to finish the season strong, insists Skinner
While there’s been time for reflection on their historic Champions League run, attention must turn swiftly to a strong finish to the WSL season to ensure they get the chance to return to the competition next term. United face a tricky run-in against some strong teams, starting with this trip to Spurs, hosting Brighton who are more than capable of disrupting the top teams, and ending the season with a visit to Stamford Bridge, which could prove to be a crucial encounter as Chelsea also look to secure a spot in the top three.
The Manchester United head coach is fully cognisant of the immediate challenge ahead, and what he must ask of his players.
“These games are huge and we won’t shy away from that,” Skinner admitted. “We need to go into these games and absolutely empty the tank and be the quality team we know we are. If we can do that, then it’s in our hands.
Skinner believes that this season has steeled his side for “challenges week in week out” and that playing on the biggest stages has afforded them some much needed experience.
“Some of the games we’ve played this year in some of the stadiums and arenas[..] the experience [we’ve had] as a group, we need to take it into these games. You have to take the challenges head on and I’ll prepare my players for that.”
Meanwhile, a slightly disrupted fixture calendar in 2026 has raised questions about scheduling, with some coaches bemoaning the lack of momentum, with others have welcoming the opportunity to reset. Skinner acknowledged it was a bit “weird”, but that the extra time has afforded him the opportunity to do more coaching, and “refresh things we want to work on”.
“What I want to see from us is getting back to what we can do well. Hopefully we can in this block,” the head coach said.
Marc Skinner expects ‘scrutiny’ about his job
Despite relative success in Europe, United’s precarious position in attempting to secure a top three WSL finish, coupled with the lack of silverware this season, has led to some speculation around the manager’s position moving forward, with some reports suggesting Skinner is already under serious review. Should they fail to secure Champions League for next season, the clamour for a change in coach may well intensify.
Skinner recognises that as Manchester United manager you are “open to scrutiny” and appears to welcome that challenge and focus on what’s in front of them.
“Since I’ve been here you have these questions,” he admitted. “My job is to answer them the best way possible, and that’s by winning games of football.”
“My job is to prepare the team to go into these three games and try and win them. And regardless of what people think, I know who I am, I know what I want to do and I know what our focus will be. So I am ready to take on the challenge of these three games and get my team to do the same.”
Game against Tottenham will ‘fluctuate’ says Skinner
Tottenham Hotspur have been the breakout stars of this WSL season, with a transformed squad and playing identity catapulting them up the table from last year’s disappointing 11th place finish. But a recent lull in form has hurt their chances to disrupt the top 4, and they find themselves in a very different position to Manchester United in terms of what is left to play for. But encounters between the two sides have been far from uneventful this season, with the reverse fixture ending 3-3 despite Spurs going 3-0 up. United came away the victors in a tight FA Cup clash in their last meeting, so Spurs will be hungry to make amends.
It was also announced this week that former Manchester United goalkeeper coach Ian Wilcox has joined Spurs’ staff, meaning there are now 3 former United coaches with the Lilywhites. Add this context to a game at home in the auspicious Spurs Stadium, you would be foolish to expect anything but a thirst for victory from this Tottenham team. Skinner is well aware of the challenge that faces his side.
“I think what we’ve learned from the two games this season we know the team Tottenham are trying to become, we know the work they’re doing, they’ve been aggressive in the market,” he said.
Spurs have shown attacking flair and intensity this season at the expense of some control. Their goal difference is -5 vs United’s 17, despite being next to each other in table, and Spurs have conceded 36 goals compared to United’s 20. Skinner is ready for an intense battle and expects this game to “fluctuate”, emphasising that his team need to be able to “manage each moment”.
“What I’ve seen from Tottenham this year, they’re very quick on the counter, they’re very direct, but it’s with good quality, it’s not just hoof and run. I think you can control them in elements but I think you have to go toe-to-toe with them as well. I think the game will fluctuate, it will go between fast counter, basketball style and into a more controlled style.”
Man United didn’t look ‘out of place’ in the Champions League says Marc Skinner
The last we saw of Manchester United, they fell short in the Champions League quarter finals to Bayern Munich. Despite the result, United never made it easy for the German champions over the two legs, and have impressed on their first campaign in Europe.
Skinner was rightly proud of what they were able to achieve in the competition this season, but recognises the need for further progress:
“I am glad that people have seen Manchester United in the biggest [club] tournament in Europe compete and show who they are. And we didn’t look out of place. That’s something to be proud of in our first year.”
“It’s always a double edged sword with Manchester United because if you say you’re proud getting to a quarter final, it’s not enough.”
“The positive is we’ve made history for this club, and we have to continue to do so.”
Skinner continues to bang the drum for more investment in his squad if they hope to continue to compete on the European stage, pointing to lack of depth and injuries “seeping their energy”, while Bayern were able to rest seven of their starters ahead of the second leg in Germany.
“In our first year we’ve played 14 games in the competition which is more than anyone else. I think if we had a fit squad, could we have taken it a stage further? Maybe. The reflection for us is building that experience and squad depth. We’ve probably fallen down on injuries. In the moment, on the big nights, I think we’ve turned up.”
