United women fall to another disheartening 1-0 loss to Chelsea, serious questions will be asked of Skinner now

Manchester United Women travelled to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in the final Women’s Super League game of the season. First half United faced an early setback when Jayde Riviere had to be substituted due to injury after just six minutes. The visitors did not let the injury affect them and pressed the Blues well. After 18 minutes, Hanna Lundkvist’s effort was blocked by her own Swedish teammate Fridolina Rolfo. Twenty-one minutes in, Lauren James wriggled away from her marker and unleashed a powerful effort, but Phallon Tullis-Joyce expertly tipped the ball over the crossbar. As Chelsea usually do to United, they weathered the storm and sucker punched effectively. A stunning ball into the box from Lauren James was dinked beautifully on the volley by Sam Kerr to give the Londoners the lead. Chelsea attempted to get their second, but Alyssa Thompson’s effort was well stopped by Tullis-Joyce and the score stayed at 0-1 to Chelsea as the half-time whistle blew. Second half United’s Player of the Season, Jess Park, was brought on at half-time and the Red Devils started well. Ellen Wangerheim almost dragged her side level, but her effort slammed off the crossbar. After 63 minutes, Julia Olme found herself with only the keeper to beat, but she bizarrely passed the ball to nobody and passed up a great chance to equalise. Ella Toone tried to salvage something from the chance but to no avail. James responded for the hosts, but she dragged her effort wide of the post. Kerr then almost grabbed her second as she got some contact on the dangerous James’ cross, but it was again dealt with by Tullis-Joyce. Substitute Dominique Janssen ballooned a free kick over the bar before Kerr did likewise at the back post for Chelsea when she had more time than she thought. Six minutes were added on for United to find a late equaliser and avoid yet another defeat to Chelsea. Park had a shot blocked that went out for a corner, and Tullis-Joyce ran up the pitch to try and force an unlikely equaliser. United failed to find a goal, though, and their disappointing end to the season continued. The result meant United finished fourth in the league and missed out on Europe next season. Questions will be asked of head coach Marc Skinner, and there will need to be significant investment in the squad if they are to reach the levels that the fans want to be at. Phallon Tullis-Joyce stats vs Chelsea StatisticValue Expected assists (xA)0 Total saves3 Goals prevented-0.29 Saves from inside box1 Punches1 High claims0 Key passes0 Crosses (accurate)0 (0) Accurate passes18/26 (69%) Passes in opposition half (acc.)3/9 (33%) Passes in own half (acc.)15/17 (88%) Long balls (accurate)6/14 (43%) Touches35 Dribbles (successful)0 (0) Possession lost9 Total carrying distance25.9 m Carries4 Total progression3.4 m Def. contributions2 Tackles (won)0 (0) Interceptions0 Clearances2 Blocked shots0 Recoveries9 Ground duels (won)0 (0) Dribbled past0 Total shots0 Shots on target0 Shots blocked0 Source: Sofascore Feature image Matt McNulty via Getty Images 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.