Boss Marc Skinner said he is “happy overall” after Adobe Women’s FA Cup holders Manchester United started their defence with a 7-0 thrashing of third-tier West Bromwich Albion today, though six of their goals didn’t arrive until the final 15 minutes.
Melvine Malard put United ahead in the first half but West Brom’s low block and some wasteful finishing meant it took until the 77th minute to extend their lead. Skinner’s substitutes transformed the game, with five goals from Rachel Williams and Celin Bizet and a thunderous strike from Ella Toone on her return from a two-month injury layoff.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhat did Marc Skinner say?
“You’d expect control of the game, I felt we had control of the game,” Skinner said. “Probably frustrated a little bit with ourselves first half because we probably should’ve had 8 goals in the first half, the clear chances. But we had to stay calm. I expected a bit of rustiness, got that, but we broke out of that second half and we were way more clinical. But I want to stress that the players in the first half created those chances and we just needed to finish them.”
The United boss said there were “details” his side needed to address at halftime, such as shooting more from the edge of the area. On their opponents, he added: “Any stage of football, any team in football, it’s hard to break a block. We know this.
“Credit to West Brom. I know a lot of the staff and a lot of the players personally and they can be very proud of what they’ve done to get to this stage.“
Asked about the impact of his substitutions, Skinner said: “I thought they were great, but I don’t want to detract away from what we created first half. The chances were there, we just needed to finish them. I don’t want to divide the team to say that these players scored and these didn’t – actually they created the chances but we can work on that. I expected rust in the first half, we haven’t played football for a month.
“I’m happy overall, I’m happy with their attitude, commitment, and energy.”
Embed from Getty ImagesOne of the game’s super-subs was Ella Toone, met with applause on her return from a two-month injury layoff. She scored the goal of the night with a long-range effort that went in off the crossbar. It was her first strike since her father passed away in September, and she celebrated by pointing at the sky.
“Ella’s been through a horrific time,” Skinner said, “and the injury probably allowed a space and time for her to think, to get back to just missing football. What people don’t realise is I think for us she started 95, 96 games consecutively, and she’s had a lot of Euros football, a lot of football. Sometimes you just need to break.” You can read everything Skinner had to say about his number 7 after the game here.
Anna Sandberg was another standout performer. The full back was granted more attacking freedom and notched up three assists.
Embed from Getty Images“Today the opponent gave us the opportunity to go advanced, but we want to take that more. She has the ability, we know that, she has the quality,” Skinner explained.
“Any young player that enters this league – Jayde Riviere was the same, and Grace Clinton the same if you look at (her) Bristol then Tottenham loans – it takes time. You just have to know as a manager when’s the right time and we want to see more increased minutes for her this second part of the season, and teach her parts of the game – she’ll be a great player for many years for Manchester United.”
United discover their fifth-round opponents on Monday 13th January, and play their next game at Manchester City on Sunday 19th.