Skinner urges trophy-hunting United to make their Marc

Skinner urges trophy-hunting United to make their Marc

Marc Skinner wants Manchester United to embrace the pressure of the end-of-season run-in as they attempt to venture into uncharted territory.

United were formed just under five years ago and are yet to get their hands on major silverware. 

But they top the Women's Super League and can reach a maiden FA Cup final this weekend by overcoming Brighton. 

While accepting there will be more scrutiny and attention on his players than ever before, Skinner has told them to relish the moment. 

The United boss, 40, said: "We're going to enjoy the amount of pressure that will naturally come with a team like us and what we're trying to achieve.

"And I'll stress that's a really positive thing. If we weren't trying to be successful, there's probably no pressure. We try to enjoy ourselves and perform the way we do.

"The reality is if we perform to the best of our ability, we can beat any team in this league."

With Brighton bottom of the WSL and having been thrashed 4-0 twice by United this season, Skinner's side are favourites to book a trip to Wembley to face Aston Villa or Chelsea on May 14. 

But he will not underestimate the struggling Seagulls, who appointed American Melissa Phillips as head coach last week. 

He added: "It will be a challenge because it's a new manager. We're going into a semi-final where league form doesn't really matter.

"We have to earn our right to be there. We are not expecting anything easy against Brighton. We won't be taking them lightly at all."

More News on this


Players' fight for fairness means World Cup arrives at critical moment

Players' fight for fairness means World Cup arrives at critical moment


The phrase ‘bigger and better’ has become a bit of a cliche, but it is still perhaps the most authentic way of describing the ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup at a moment of reckoning in women’s football.

Australia and New Zealand are co-hosting the 2023 edition, which for the first time will feature 32 nations, 20 more than the inaugural 12-team tournament held in China in 1991.

Read more
Skinner feels Champions League spot would aid United's recruitment

Skinner feels Champions League spot would aid United's recruitment


Manchester United boss Marc Skinner believes clinching a first Champions League berth would give his club unprecedented sway when it comes to summer recruitment.

United owner Avram Glazer was in attendance at Wembley on Sunday to watch the women’s side in their first FA Cup final against Chelsea and a determined performance might have inspired him to break out the chequebook despite a 1-0 loss.

Read more
Man Utd boss Skinner fires FA Cup final warning to favourites Chelsea

Man Utd boss Skinner fires FA Cup final warning to favourites Chelsea


Marc Skinner insists Manchester United’s “rebels” are closing the gap on Chelsea going into the Women’s FA Cup final on Sunday.

Wembley is expecting a 90,000 sell-out crowd – a record for a women’s domestic club match – for the showdown between the top two teams in the Women’s Super League.

Read more
Hayes: Wembley sell-out for Women's FA Cup final 'the new norm'

Hayes: Wembley sell-out for Women's FA Cup final 'the new norm'


Emma Hayes believes a Wembley sell-out for Sunday’s Women’s FA Cup final is “the new norm”.

Defending champions Chelsea will take on Manchester United in front of an expected 90,000-strong crowd – a record for a women’s domestic club match.

Read more