“That’s a warning shot”: Skinner outlines what United must do to sink arch-rivals in WSL

Manchester United Women manager Marc Skinner has been speaking ahead of the huge match against Liverpool this weekend in the Women’s Super League (WSL). Injury news Skinner revealed that Leah Galton is still struggling with a back injury, but Ella Toone is progressing well in her recovery. He also explained to the club’s website that, “Gabby’s (George) been training this week with the team, so hopefully could appear on the bench should she get through the next day or two. And then Frido’s (Rolfo) back training as well. So apart from that, everyone else is available.” United done this window The Red Devils have been busy this January, adding Hanna Lundkvist, Lea Schuller, and Ellen Wangerheim to the first team. The United boss stated that his side are looking at targets, but it is unlikely there will be any more business before the end of the window. Commenting on United’s transfer window, he said, “obviously we’re still looking, even if it’s now or the summer window, we’ll continue to try and develop the squad. But right now, there’s nobody that’s imminent and I’m really happy with the work that we’ve done as a collective in this window. But we’re still working, as I say, towards summer targets as well. So, unless there’s a miracle, probably not in this moment.” Liverpool United’s great rivals find themselves at the bottom of the table with seven points from 13 matches. Nonetheless, Skinner has been impressed by their transfer window, claiming, “this is a totally different team [to before Christmas]. I think what Gaz [Gareth Taylor, head coach] wanted to add was mobility in his frontline, to be able to press. You could see against Tottenham they were pressing all over the place. I think that is probably the identity he wants and has wanted from the start.” He also stated that he expected Liverpool to come at his young team with full energy this weekend. Elaborating further, he claimed, “they’ve had two clean sheets in their last two games and just picked up their first three points — that’s a warning shot. We need to be ready.” Clean sheets United struggled defensively a little before the winter break, but they have come back in style, conceding just one goal in four matches. Speaking on the importance of defending, the head coach explained, “what I’d like to see is that continued structure, it gives us that platform to build from, it gives you stability and that’s what clean sheets do for you. Clean sheets can win you titles and win you trophies. For us, I think it’s a mainstay, but it won’t take away from the creativity we give the players.” Rivalry Skinner lamented that the rivalry with Liverpool Women is not as big as it is in the men’s team, but he believes this will change over time. The former Birmingham boss added, “right now, it’s [the rivalry] probably not as strong as it is in the men’s game, but it will build, the longer we play each other, the more encounters you have, it will build. But I think both teams take it seriously like that, even though it’s men’s and women’s football separately. It’s a slightly different rivalry, but it’s a local rivalry and I think both teams take it that seriously.” Elisabeth Terland Skinner was complimentary of his Norwegian striker, who has scored two goals in the last two matches. Describing Terland’s impact, he explained, “Teri always has this ability to finish. I’ve said this many times, but more than I’ve ever seen anybody, like of all the people I’ve worked with, she has an incredible finishing ability.” Man United Women record vs Liverpool Man United winsDrawsLiverpool winsGoals scoredGoals conceded 9412712 Source: aiscore.com The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.