Skinner previews Wolves cup tie

Dominique Janssen will be assessed ahead of Manchester United’s visit to Wolves in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.

Janssen, who signed from Wolfsburg in the summer, has featured in every game this season and can play in defence or midfield.

The Netherlands international picked up a knock, however, in Sunday’s victory at Tottenham Hotspur and requires a check-up.

“We get an assessment today,” Marc Skinner told club media on Wednesday. “So I think it was actually a physical knock, so hopefully it’s maybe a bit of bruising or something we can see.

“I’ll update when we find out later today.”

Skinner underlines our ‘special’ spirit Video

Skinner underlines our ‘special’ spirit

Q&A | Marc Skinner discusses our form, Janssen, transfers, Blundell’s maternity leave, Geyse and a big FA Cup tie…

Skinner went on to explain the impact he feels the 30-year-old has made since her arrival, with her energy and pressing a big reason behind the fact we’ve conceded a league-low five goals all season in the WSL.

“I think Dom does so much of the hard work that nobody sees,” he added. “I think I’ve said this two or three times and what I hope is that people watch her game differently, and they don’t watch it just for what she does on the ball.

“They watch for how much of the ground she covers. Watch how many times she makes the opponent turn away from playing forwards because she’s already in a blocking position, a screening position, and then she’s pressing.

“And I think that’s a really important part, because what it does is then, it pushes them back the defensive line and we can press again.

“It’s those details that I want people to start watching, because I think she’s added so much quality to our team. I think that’s another reason why we are the way we are now.”

The Reds, who are, of course, cup holders, go into the game against National League North side Wolves in rude health.

We’ve won seven of our last eight games in all competitions – the exception a narrow reverse to Manchester City in the League Cup – but Skinner isn’t taking the Black Country outfit lightly.

“I think we say it’s ours because we’re the holders, but actually, there’s going to be a lot of other teams that want to take that from us for themselves,” he added.

“So I think that gives you that added incentive, that added energy, but we also want to represent our fans and the club. We’ve got a tough challenge, I know.

“You know Wolves might be two tiers down, but actually, you know, they’ll try and make it a cauldron-based affair, I’m sure. And they’ll try and get the energy of their fans going.

“We have to be at our very best, I have no doubt about that. That’s the challenge I have for our players and for our staff going into this game.”

OTHER FIFTH-ROUND FIXTURES

Arsenal v London City Lionesses
Aston Villa v Brighton
Chelsea v Everton
Crystal Palace v Newcastle
Manchester City v Leicester
Portsmouth v Sunderland
Rugby Borough v Liverpool

Watch Wolves v United Women on YouTube from 17:15 GMT on Saturday, and listen to live radio commentary on the United App.

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