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Friday 16 May 2025 11:13
Manchester United Women manager Marc Skinner has provided the latest squad news and discussed his mentality towards selection ahead of Sunday’s Adobe FA Cup final.
Our young and dynamic Reds side lifted the trophy in 2024, and everybody is determined to retain it by beating WSL champions Chelsea at Wembley Stadium this weekend.
Skinner confirmed earlier this week that defender Jayde Riviere will miss the occasion due to injury and, in his Friday-morning press conference, Marc provided more details on the group.
Skinner’s FA Cup final press conference Video
Skinner’s FA Cup final press conference
PRESS CONFERENCE | Marc Skinner previews Sunday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea and provides the latest squad news…
“Everyone is available barring Jayde,” said the boss. “Right now, of course, we have two training sessions left, but everyone else is up for selection, which is positive.
“Obviously, we are gutted for Jayde. It’s obviously difficult but it’s something that is thrown at you all the time, isn’t it. If you don’t adapt then you may as well give the game to Chelsea anyway. It’s one player who is an incredible footballer and is a huge part of what we do.
“But we also have players who can come in and do a fantastic role. We might have to adapt at times as well, that’s the game of football. You don’t just accept what you are dealt, you have to work with it, otherwise you have got no chance. I believe in this team and I believe in the squad to be able to find those adaptations.”
During an in-depth press conference that you can watch above, Skinner also spoke about the need for his team to impose their physicality on a Chelsea side that is chasing a domestic treble.
“It will be vital,” Marc told reporters. “Chelsea can beat you on physicality. I remember the last game of last season at Old Trafford, we were beaten on physicality and we were beaten on motivation, whereas we have improved that massively this season.
“I must stress this, team selection is always the most difficult thing. Luckily and unluckily, I’ve had to select for the last three years an FA Cup final team and you have to leave players out, but you have to leave players out. But you have to have strategy in this game.
“You have to know when to mix physical, when to mix technical and when to mix tactical, and if I can strike that balance in the team then we will have a good foothold in the game.
“But it is vital. If you look at the physicality that Chelsea have, we have to match that and go beyond it if we want to win this game, no doubt, otherwise you will just get outrun. Our motivation should be to never be outrun.
“If we give everything, we will put ourselves in a good position to win this game.”
MUTV’s live coverage of Sunday’s FA Cup final starts at 12:30 BST, providing an hour of exclusive build-up ahead of live radio commentary.
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Friday 16 May 2025 11:13
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