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Tuesday 16 September 2025 13:28
Marc Skinner says that hard graft off the pitch is giving Manchester United Women confidence ahead of Thursday’s crunch Champions League meeting with Brann at Leigh Sports Village.
The Reds have started the domestic season well, scoring nine goals in beating Leicester City and London City Lionesses, but we have work to do in Europe.
Ingrid Stenevik’s header in Bergen has given the Norwegians an advantage in the tie, and United know we will have to win at home to stand a chance of progressing to the inaugural league phase.
Skinner isn’t taking Brann lightly, as the Toppserien club are on a 12-game winning streak in all competitions, but he feels the groundwork has been done to allow us to emerge victorious.
“It’s a huge challenge. We have a deficit to overturn but – and I must stress this – we are confident in ourselves,” Skinner said, in an interview with MUTV’s Zarah Connolly.
“That’s not arrogance: we work hard. I mean you know us, we work really hard and I believe in this group – we will work hard to find solutions on the night.
“All we can do is perform, whatever happens.
“At Brann [in Bergen], I felt we were the better team and we just didn’t take our chances. It bodes well that we’ve gone into the weekend and we’ve took our chances, but I want more.
“I want to see this togetherness, this unique team go and face a great challenge in front of our fans because that’s going to be the most important thing for us.
“We’re going to give it our all and hopefully be excited by the outcome, while taking nothing for granted.”
Industriousness is a theme Skinner is keen to build the team around, as he wants his side to mirror the city it represents.
Another tough fixture awaits on Sunday, when Arsenal come to town, and our head coach knows every member of the squad will have to give their best if we’re to come through a defining week unscathed.
“I think it’s who we are, it’s part of our DNA,” he added.
“I look at our city as a unique place in the world, where it’s full of connected people who work really hard – you know, the worker bee. People that are just so honest, but creative.
“I think that’s who we’re trying to design our team around, the basis of who we are as a city. In the world, we have a unique place and I want our team to reflect that.
“So it’s a non-negotiable, to work your socks off until you can give no more and then add creativity and quality, because I think that’s a lovely blend.
“That’s what we’re trying to aim for but we’re going to need it in these next two games coming up.
“We’re going to need absolutely everything, every bit of creativity, every bit of work. We’re going to need everybody in the squad to do their bit.”
Highlights: Brann v United Women Video
Highlights: Brann v United Women
HIGHLIGHTS | United travelled to Brann for the first leg of our Champions League third round qualifier…
One thing Skinner and his players can count on is the extraordinary home support in Leigh.
The ground has become something of a fortress, with the Reds losing just two of the 22 fixtures we’ve played there since December 2023.
“We talk about, as players and staff, the home advantage.
“Our record at Leigh is incredible and that’s because of the fans, that’s because of the energy they bring and we’re going to need them.
“We’ve got two games coming up at home where we’ll need them to bring their best and we’re going to help support that.
“I’ve always said that when we cohere and we’re working as one, in unison, then we’re a real force. We need to create that and help them create that.
“If we can do that together on Thursday, we’ll give Brann a tough time and that’s the aim. To win the game, we need to give Brann a tough time and we need to work in unison to give them a tough challenge.”
Watch Manchester United Women v Brann live on MUTV, from 18:45 BST on Thursday 18 September.
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Tuesday 16 September 2025 13:28
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