A ‘Group of Death’ is a term that we all know in the world of football and one that always crops up in cup competitions.
In the case of Manchester United, their group in this season’s FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup is very much a ‘Group of Death’ with all five participants playing their football in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
The Red Devils begin this season’s competition with a home fixture against Everton tomorrow night. When speaking to the media ahead of the match, head coach Marc Skinner put emphasis on the difficulty of the group whilst explaining that rotation will be crucial given the club’s demanding schedule.
“We’ve got probably the worst group in terms of it being the most difficult group,” Skinner said. “That’s going to be a challenge in itself to navigate, especially as we’re coming in between two league games, so I think there will be some ability to rotate. I’m excited to see some of our other players play as they get up to speed.
“As we go into Christmas, we’re going to need everybody. We’ve got to navigate a difficult group but we enter every competition to try and win it, so that’s the aim.”
Manchester United have already beaten Everton this season, they were comfortable 5-0 winners at Walton Hall Park just a few weeks ago. Skinner expects a very different contest tomorrow night.
He said “I don’t expect it to be the same type of game. Everton will rotate and we will be giving other players some substantial minutes. So far, I’ve been really pleased with all of our performances whether it’s been the league or cup. We’ve outperformed our statistics from last season already and we’re creating more chances.
“In the Brighton game, we created way more chances, we just need to finish them and against Everton, we did that. The way that Everton play, it’s always difficult and even in that game, we had to work really hard off the ball to stay in it.”
With rotation on the cards, there’s no better time for Skinner to introduce summer signing Phallon Tullis-Joyce into the action. Skinner has been incredibly impressed with how the goalkeeper has settled into life in England and is confident that she’s ready to go.
“She’s been great. Some of the saves she makes, people will sometimes stop and admire the save rather than follow in with a rebound because she has this wonderful athletic ability,” he said.
“She’s learning a lot about our game and how we play. The main difference from America is that she will have played more directly with her feet, whereas perhaps with the way we play is more of a build-up strategy. Although she hasn’t played a game yet, I see her growing and loving what she’s doing. I feel she’s ready and of course, there are going to be nerves but she’s a top level goalkeeper.”
Another player that fans are itching to see more of is super-sub Rachel Williams, who yet again came off the bench at the weekend and scored a late goal for her side. Skinner stressed the importance of managing her minutes as much as possible, so she can continue to play and make an impact.
He said “I’ve known Rachel for a long time. She’s effervescent and she’s like a child running round a field but you have to remember she is also 35-years old. Me and Rachel have a clear understanding and there’s a chance now to give her minutes in the Conti Cup but you can’t jump from playing 27 minutes to 90; the physical load is too much.
“If you risk Rachel, you don’t have the ability to bring her into games and change games. She’s the best at it and I have nothing but admiration for the way she plays the game. It’s the attitude to never give up and always fight and that’s what I build my teams around. Rachel knows where she’s at and it’s more risk adverse for her, so we can keep her playing the important part she plays.
“Hopefully, in the games to come, you’ll see a start but it would be unrealistic for us to think that she can finish those games too.”
Manchester United’s FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup fixture against Everton kicks-off at 7pm tomorrow night.