Marc Skinner says that he wants his side to show ‘Manchester United ethos and spirit’ when they take on Arsenal at The Emirates Stadium this evening.
The Red Devils have won five of their six Barclays Women’s Super League matches so far this season but they were defeated 3-1 by title rivals Chelsea last time out.
Manchester United drew with latest opponents Arsenal in the same fixture last season while they defeated The Gunners in the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup. Ahead of the latest meeting, head coach Skinner said that he wants consistency from his side in the big games before calling for ‘Manchester United ethos and spirit’.
“They’re a very good team but we put in two good performances, we took a point in the league and won in the cup,” Skinner said.
“For us, we are showing that progression, I know that our fans are hungry for that progression right now and so are we. They were good markers but it’s a different venue and lots of fans so it’ll be a different game to the ones that we played last year.
“I still want to see that continued growth from our team, I see it in abundance – I see character, commitment, all of the things that a coach wants from a team. I see it in abundance with our players and now I want to see that in the moments that really matter, I want us to continue to produce that. The next step for us is to perform as well as we can on a consistent basis in these kinds of games.
“We have no given right to do anything against Arsenal, you’ve got to earn it because they are a good team. I want to make sure we play with that Manchester United ethos and spirit in all of these big games coming up before Christmas. I want us to not fear that or be scared of that and I don’t think we are. I want us to progress and show our progression in these games with our bravery and commitment with and without the ball.”
Manchester United are just one away win short of matching last season’s tally while they have already equalled their clean sheet record on the road from 2021/2022. Skinner highlighted the importance of getting things right at both ends of the pitch.
He said “There are always those little markers that we look for in our performances to make sure that we are on task and are on target. Those are factors that make it clear about what we are trying to do here – we need to be tight at one end and create plenty at the other end.
“This is another top of the table clash so it is important that we try and keep clean sheets, we will be tested (against Arsenal) that’s for sure. What we need to do is show that personality with the ball as well, it is that constant bravery to be in the right positions and to win our duels against a very good team.
“That’s the great test for us and it is something that I’ll continue to gauge.”
Manchester United’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture at Arsenal kicks-off at 5.30pm.
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