Marc Skinner: Manchester United have “fresh commitment and energy” ahead of WSL opener

Manchester United manager Marc Skinner told reporters today that he is “excited about the team we have” ahead of the Red Devils’ Barclays Women’s Super League game against West Ham United.

Skinner’s side slumped to their lowest ever finish in the WSL last season but won the FA Cup (their first ever major trophy). This summer has seen Skinner’s side strengthened by the likes of Dominique Janssen, Elisabeth Terland, and Anna Sandberg – but will it be enough to restore them to title challengers?

What did Marc Skinner say?

Skinner told reporters he feels his side have shaken off the “hangover” they felt after their second-placed finish in 2022/23, and reflected on pre-season.

“I think what I’ve seen in pre-season is I’ve seen a fresh commitment and energy, I’ve seen adaptable skill, more physicality. I felt in some of maybe the big games we lacked a bit of physicality that the other teams had and at times we could get overran and that we had to defend effectively in last-ditch stuff.

“I think when you bring new players in it re-energises a group anyway so I feel you’ve got that psychological energy but I think above all we feel like we’re together like we were in my first season, if that makes sense, and the second season. It feels like we are all pushing the same direction.”

Skinner confirmed that everyone is available for selection for this weekend’s opener at Old Trafford apart from Evie Rabjohn, who is recovering from an ACL injury. Some players may even be left out of the matchday squad. There has been much talk of a shift in style this season, and Skinner was relatively open about the metrics he will be looking at to judge that change.

“We want to find better ways to control transitions, so I would judge us on that. If we can control transitions in and out of possession – and what I mean by that, just to be clear, is if a team counter attacks on us we have recovery pace and ability to regain balls higher up for us to then counter ourselves. We’ve always had a great pressing strategy in our team, I think we’ve been the best pressing team in the last two seasons, so I want to maintain that.

“I want to be more adaptable in our tactical setup. We’ve used I think eight different tactical shapes last year – but I want to be more fluid between those, so knowing when and why without the coaches having to intervene. I want us to work that well that our players go ‘this is the moment I need to move into this space.’”

When asked about the summer’s recruitment, which saw five new players come in and Melvine Malard join permanently, Skinner described the type of player United have signed as “young and hungry”. That includes Celine Bizet from Tottenham, Anna Sandberg from BK Häcken, Simi Awujo from USC Trojans, and Elisabeth Terland from Brighton. The oldest of the four is Terland, who is only 23.

Speaking about the club’s work with head of recruitment Harvey Bussell, Skinner said: “I think where we looked at where can we make gains in the market was looking at the right players at the right age that can grow with this team over a number of years.

“For us it was clear that in order for us to try and break in fully into those historical top three we have to go a different route and so we’ve gone down the the young and hungry route that’s highly talented.”

He also spoke about his new signings’ potential role in a change of system and style.

“We’re going to have to evolve in games, we’re going to have to adapt shape – but what I feel is the recruitment was also based on that, was giving us that increased physicality, that increased competitiveness one-v-one nature. I think the modern game will go player-for-player everywhere, whether that be in possession or out of possession. I think we needed to recruit for that – I don’t think we achieved that in the last seasons but now I think we can adapt and evolve our tactical game for sure.”

Dominique Janssen, 29, is a slight exception to the youth of this summer’s incomings – but brings incredible experience as a WSL, Frauen Bundesliga, and European Championship winner. Skinner said he expects the defender will be “vital”, adding: “Of all the exciting signings that we’ve made and for future, I think Dom is one that can help us bridge some of the gaps that we had and I think she’s ready to take that role.”

The summer saw concerning headlines about the team side being moved into portable buildings at Carrington, and some accused Sir Jim Ratcliffe of not taking the women’s side seriously. However, Skinner said sporting director Dan Ashworth would be visiting the team on Thursday, not for the first time, and praised the club’s approach.

“I think that shows the positivity around the club.

“The energy that Dan and Omar (Berrada, new chief executive officer) and the whole club are bringing towards the women’s team is so exciting.

“Are we where we need to be? Only the end of the season will tell you in terms of playing depth of course, but I’m excited. I’m excited about the team we have, I still think we have work to do as a whole club in terms of over the next two windows to get the players to be the final version. But where we sit right now I’m very happy with and I’m very happy with the commitment behind the team, so you won’t get excuses from me.”

After last season ended with United fifth in the WSL and they fell to a 6-0 defeat to Chelsea at Old Trafford on the final day, some fans called for a change in management. Skinner, entering his fourth season with the club, had admitted he was psychologically spent at the end of the last campaign.

Reflecting today, he said: “We had the highs and lows of the FA Cup win, we had the lows of us finishing where we finished in the season. You had the adaptation and evolution of the squad, which we knew had to take place. I was a new father again, so it’s all those different life things that breathe into the football part.

“What I can absolutely assure you is I’ve more energy now than I have ever had.

“I feel alive, I feel really energetic, and I want that to transmit into the team.”

This weekend’s opponents finished 11th last season, but still held United to a 1-1 draw in March – though the Manchester club came out 5-0 winners against them in November.

The United boss said: “I think Rehanne (Skinner) is finally trying to piece together the team she wants. She’s evolved the style, she did that last season, and I’m sure she’ll want more results from that style where she’s trying to you know they possess a lot more. But they do have that individual brilliance you know you got Viv (Asseyi) up top, (Riko) Ueki, both have the ability to hold up rotate and take a chance so they’re going to be a danger from set pieces, they’re going to be a danger from counter-attacks but also have the ability to build.

“It takes about six to seven games I reckon for every team to be into their flow so in these first few games I think anyone can take it. You’ve just got to be the best you can be in these games and that’s what we plan to do.”

Manchester United face West Ham at Old Trafford this Saturday with kickoff at midday. You can follow full coverage of the match and managerial reactions here on FromTheSpot.