Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner has praised his team’s ‘relentless’ mindset in the win against Aston Villa and he hopes that they can replicate it against title rivals Arsenal on Friday.
Skinner’s United came back from a goal down to beat a 10-player Aston Villa side at Villa Park on Sunday with forward Rachel Williams heading in the winner in the 98th minute.
Reflecting on his team’s resilience in a Manchester United press conference, Skinner said “We won’t stop until that final whistle. I love that as a manager of Manchester United; I love the fact that we are relentless until the end. I think that’s a really good trait as a manager to have in your team. That’s a golden thread that runs through this team.”
Manchester United claimed two victories over Arsenal in the Barclays Women’s Super League in the 2022/2023 season. When asked if he was confident that The Red Devils could replicate this feat in the new campaign, Skinner was positive.
He said “I’m always confident because you know I believe in this team; I believe in what they can do, I believe that we can beat any opponent on any day.
“You have to respect the opponent for what they can do to you. Arsenal have been one of the top teams in this country for many, many years, so I just think it’s going to be one of those big games. It’s Friday night under the lights against the rivals.”
Friday’s match will be Manchester United’s first home game of the season at the Leigh Sports Village and Skinner is looking forward to the fans creating a ‘fortress’. Opponents Arsenal will be looking to get their first win of the season after losing to Liverpool at home on Sunday in front of a record-breaking crowd. The Gunners’ new signing Alessia Russo made the move from Manchester United over the summer and Friday’s fixture will bring her first return to the Leigh Sports Village.
Commenting on Russo’s return, Skinner said “You prepare for her like she’s the opponent. You give her the respect that you know she can give you on the qualities on the field but also, we know how to exploit her. She will know how diligent we are in our work.”
Manchester United’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture against Arsenal kicks-off at 7.30pm on Friday evening.
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