Manchester United Women boss Marc Skinner has claimed his side do not fear Arsenal ahead of their WSL clash later today.
The Red Devils have already secured qualification for the Champions League next season with a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Manchester City last Sunday.
United have the opportunity to finish second in the league if they win today as they lie just one point behind Arsenal in the table.
Speaking to the official club website ahead of the match, Skinner claimed that Arsenal have perhaps had their minds elsewhere in recent matches.
He asserted, “In the last few games they have probably been a bit distracted by getting into the Champions League final.”
While admitting the size of the challenge, he demonstrated trust in his side’s ability by claiming, “We don’t fear Arsenal, we respect them. We want to take on anyone. We really want to enjoy these last two games (including the FA Cup final versus Chelsea).”
He also confirmed that Rachel Williams will not be fit for the last game of the Women’s Super League season but that the club hope that she could “play a part” in the FA Cup final on Sunday 18th May.
Skinner also stated that Jayde Riviere will definitely not be part of the league match and that they will have to wait and see what the situation will be like ahead of the final.
Nonetheless, everybody else is “fit and healthy” ahead of the match.
The United manager insisted that his side would be focused on the task at hand rather than be distracted by the FA Cup final next week.
He stated, “I think more importantly, there is something on the game. If we win, we go second. You never go to Arsenal and think you don’t want to win the game. For us it is a non-negotiable, it is such a big game.”
Skinner also claimed that his squad will be champing at the bit to play as they will not only want to beat the Gunners but also “to get some rhythm” before the final.
He also admitted that he was surprised that his in-form keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce missed out on the nomination for the Player of the season award.
The boss lavished praise on the American by claiming she was “incredible”. He went on to say that she did things that most keepers in world football can only dream of doing, by making the “uncomfortable seem comfortable.”
The United boss lauded her further when he claimed that she was on “a trajectory to become the best in the world” in her position.
Tullis-Joyce and United will hope to end their league season in the perfect way on Saturday. The score is currently 1-1 at half-time.
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
