Skinner: Our fans were the difference

Marc Skinner suggested that Manchester United fans were ultimately the decisive factor in the team getting over the line in Sunday’s 2-2 WSL draw with Manchester City.

United went into the derby clash knowing that a point would be enough to guarantee a top three league finish and qualify for next season’s Champions League, at City’s expense.

But it was a battle after going two goals behind, fighting back, and then holding on after being reduced to 10 players midway through the second half.

“I felt that if we didn’t have [the fans], the last five minutes would probably have been a different story,” Skinner said.

“The roar of the fans, I know it physically moved my team. I think they were the difference between us getting a point or not qualifying for the Champions League today.

“Huge mention to them, incredible turnout and I want that continued growth because we’re the biggest club in the world from that perspective.”

Skinner: I’m so proud of my team Video

Skinner: I’m so proud of my team

Marc Skinner is full of pride while discussing his team’s comeback against City and the support from our fans in M16…

One blot on an otherwise hugely positive day in the team’s young history, was the injury to Jayde Riviere, who was withdrawn after 29 minutes.

The Canada international has played a massive role in her second full season with the club, but Skinner is hopeful there is no major damage and she could yet play a role in one or both of our last two games of the season.

“She’s obviously crucial to us,” Skinner began. “I think she rolled her ankle in the tackle. I just saw her on the treatment bed getting it strapped, so there’s no [protective] boot or anything, and she was in great spirits talking about the Champions League.

“Hopefully she’ll be okay, we’ll assess her this week and try and get her ready for either Arsenal or Chelsea.”

The boss wanted to make a special mention of Mannion, whose contributions he described as “excellent” prior to being dismissed.

“When a player gets sent off they might feel like they’ve let the team down. But I didn’t think she did at all. She was excellent and two yellow cards is because she was competitive in the game,” he said.

Dominique Janssen filled the gap at right-back in the final quarter of the game. The Dutch international has been known for much of her career as a centre-back or left-back, while she has thrived in a midfield role since joining United last summer.

But Janssen’s level of experience and willingness to slot in calmly meant there was no disruption to the rest of the defensive unit.

“Dom came on and it was in the moment where we were…’Do we push Maya out to right-back, do we put Dom centre-half’, when we lost Aoife,” Skinner explained.

“Dom just went, ‘Put me on and play me where you want to play me. I am ready to do the job I need to do’. That experience that will drive us. When the youngsters maybe don’t have that experience, she comes in and gives it.”

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