Manchester United boss Marc Skinner has suggested that his team are performing way ahead of their expected levels amidst an unbeaten start to the WSL season.
United currently sit in fifth place in the table on 11 points, eight below leaders Manchester City. United have two games in hand.
The Reds endured a busy summer, both in terms of outgoings and incoming. The likes of Mary Earps, Lucia Garcia, Katie Zelem, Gemma Evans and Irene Guerrero all departed the club.
The club brought in Simi Awujo, Dominique Janssen, Melvine Malard, Anna Sandberg and Elisabeth Terland. Grace Clinton also returned after a loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur.
Ahead of United’s Sunday meeting with Aston Villa, Skinner admitted that the players still need time to gel together, admitting that the team are punching above the weight.
Skinner said [via 90min], “We want to keep improving, but the reality of putting a new team together, six games in, I actually think we’re above where our marker should be. We’re still unbeaten. It’s a good space, but we want to be better.”
On whether the current standings are an indicator of how the season will pan out, Skinner replied, “I would tend to agree in previous seasons, but I’m not sure this year because I’m watching better performances from teams.”
“I [previously] watched teams that could put in an outstanding performance on one day, which was the difference between winning and losing. They didn’t have had the consistency, but they had the players to win that one off game.”
“I think it’s different this year. It may well go around that [the current table] but we want to be challenging higher. I looked at our midfield experience against Arsenal’s the other day, and you’ve got Kim [Little] and Leah [Williamson] and Frida [Maanum], who have played how many games together.”
“We just haven’t had that time [together] yet. I do think the table will change, and that’s just the feeling I’m getting. Maybe have the conversation 15 games in and see where we’re at.”
“This year I just think there are teams that can take points more frequently off teams that have been top four before.”
United vs. Villa kicks off at 18:45 BST at Leigh Sports Village.
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!
