‘It’ll be a different game’ – Manchester United boss Skinner expecting adaptations from Spurs

Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner is expecting a different game when his side play host to Tottenham Hotspur in the Subway Women’s League Cup quarter-finals this afternoon. The game comes just a week on from the two sides’ last meeting in the Barclays Women’s Super League. Manchester United were three goals down before coming back to draw 3-3 in Leigh. When speaking to the media in the pre-match press conference, Skinner indicated that he expects a different game this afternoon. “We played a very good team that took their chances,” Skinner said. “On another day, it could have been five or six [for us]. “Its a weird one to call the game, its going to be slightly different. Theyve had a week to adapt and we are game ready. Its two different kind of outlooks going into the game.” Given their three-goal comeback, Manchester United could be seen to have momentum this afternoon. Skinner believes that both sides will look to improve going into the rematch. He said “It could work either way. Spurs will look at that game and how they can be better. We have to get to that level. If we get to that level, not many teams can live with us. Weve got to expect little adaptations from Tottenham but we have prepared in those anyway. “Weve got to get up to speed. If we were ruthless in the box [last weekend], it would have been a comfortable win. Weve got to get ruthless in both boxes. I saw that against Juventus in midweek, so I want to keep that and keep attacking against them like we were last time.” There was so much for both head coaches to analyse from last weekend’s contest. Skinner believes that playing an opponent in quick succession can make the analysis more beneficial. He said “There was no time to review it going into the Juventus game because the turnaround was too quick. Going into this one, you get the extra day and weve done some work looking at things when you play against Tottenham from the game last weekend. The analysis becomes a little more useful and up-to-date. “I think itll be a different game. Martin [Ho] has had a week to work with his team, so there will be slight adaptations but it doesnt matter; if we can get to tempo, speed and quality, it doesnt matter what shape and spaces you play, we can go through it. We need to get to that and thatll be the focus.” Manchester United’s Subway Women’s League Cup quarter-final tie against Tottenham Hotspur kicks-off at 1pm. About The Author Daniel Pentland I am the editor and owner of the WSL Full-Time brand which I launched in 2018. I am an accredited journalist with the FWA, SJA and AIPS. I have reported from various levels of men’s and women’s elite football since 2016.