Manchester United boss Marc Skinner has praised summer signing Julia Zigiotti Olme, as she continues to enjoy a superb start to life at the club.
United confirmed the signing of Zigiotti in July as she completed a move from Bayern Munich. She put pen to paper on a two-year contract.
Skinner hails Zigiotti
Zigiotti played a key role for United as they opened their WSL season with a dominant 4-0 win over Leicester City last weekend.
She pulled the strings in the middle of the park, setting the pace and helping United cruise to a comfortable triumph at Leigh Sports Village.
Skinner said about Zigiotti [as quoted by She Kicks], “I said when we signed her, that our fans would be really impressed with her. She does all the hard work. The beauty is, every game she comes off, she goes, can I find a better space here? Can I find a better space there? She’s always talking about in possession.”
“I said to her yesterday after training that sometimes it’s the reading of the game that she gives us. She makes defending look easy because you’ve already defended before we’ve lost the ball, and she controls transition.”
Skinner continued, “As a coach, the most unpredictable part of the game is the transition part, and especially transition from attack to defence. So having her in there, someone that reads the game, especially with Hini [Hinata Miyazawa] as well, it’s such a nice partnership to be able to create that.”
“She’s been exceptional. I really look forward to seeing her growth as well with the ball, as well as without the ball.”
Skinner also opened up on another summer signing, Jess Park, and whether or not she can play alongside Ella Toone as twin number 10s.
Skinner on Park and Toone partnership
On the two attacking midfielders lining up together in the middle of the park, Skinner remarked, “They can play together.”
“It’s not about building walls around these players. It’s about giving them a framework where they can then move within, which creates uncertainty for defenders. That’s what I want them to do.”
“I don’t want them to be rigid because that bores me a little bit. I want to be able to open the fluidity of my team while also having control of structure and counter marking. If we can strike that, [Jess] is the perfect balance for that.”
“It doesn’t have to be either or. They can play together, as well as others.”
United are back in action on Thursday when they take on Brann in the first leg of their third round Champions League qualifier.
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
