Manchester United boss Marc Skinner spoke to media to preview this weekend’s league fixture, and says he is happy with his existing squad after a dramatic transfer deadline day. Thursday night saw rumoured target Chloe Kelly move to Arsenal on loan from Manchester City, rather than switching to the red side of Manchester.
Kelly had been linked with a move to United after struggling for game time at City and had posted an emotive statement claiming City had ““dictated whom I can and can’t join with only 4 months left of the football season.” United reportedly made an offer for Kelly, but Arsenal swooped late to re-sign the Lioness – who played for the Gunners from 2015-18.
Skinner said he is happy with the forward options he has without Kelly and previewed Sunday’s Barclays Women’s Super League clash with Tottenham Hotspur – which could be their fifth league win in a row.
What did Marc Skinner say?
“If we could find the right person and we could make the right deal, then we’d try to do it. If not, I’m really happy with the options we have.
“Chloe Kelly is an Arsenal player on loan from Manchester City so it really doesn’t affect us, we’re solely focused on what we can achieve and the qualities of that.“
Reflecting on a transfer window that saw Chelsea break the women’s world record fee to sign Naomi Girma, Skinner added:“There has been a lot of work done in this window that could potentially change the women’s game in terms of the investment.
“I think with my women’s football hat on, it’s fantastic that we can get to this level of investment. As Manchester United manager, I want to be ultra competitive and try and push them as much as possible.”
Attention now turns to this weekend’s fixture at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Last time Manchester United played Spurs, Skinner’s side were 3-0 winners, but the manager is expecting a more competitive game this Sunday.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe said: “When we come to town it’s always a good game with Tottenham, I feel maybe they’re not at the football levels they would want, but they’re getting results in the league.
“Every game from now until the end of the season will be tough. going away to their stadium with their fans, we have to be at our very best.
“I feel when we last played them we showed more quality in the boxes, but I felt Tottenham were a real threat. Tottenham seem to be in a different space but they are still getting results.
“Tottenham are on of those teams that it’s never a good time to play them with the players and quality they have, they can turn it on in an instant.
“It will be tough, I’m not expecting to go there and find anything easy. We have to be prepared for the battle and the fight with the quality players that Tottenham have.”
United are second in the Barclays Women’s Super League table and have the best defensive record in the WSL and have conceded a total of five goals so far this campaign.
“I put it down to the work rate of the whole team. (The) majority of our players are in the top bracket for high intensity, high speed, long distance running.
“I think it’s that energy and commitment, working together as a whole unit.”
Embed from Getty ImagesOn team news, Skinner said: “Lisa (Naalsund, who has been out with a foot injury) is back on the training field, as has Evie Rabjohn (ACL) doing individual training. Geyse is still on compassionate leave and the plan is for her to come back early next week, so she will miss the game this weekend.”
One of United’s form players of late has been Ella Toone. The superstar wrote for The Players’ Tribune this week about the loss of her father last year. On the decision for her to keep playing after that tragedy, Skinner said: “I think you have to listen to the player, from my perspective there was no damage with her playing football because that is her escape in that moment.
“She then has this time out and will come back as a better person and a better feeling as a player. We both felt at that time that being involved around the team would give her that moment of security.”
Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday 2nd February, with kick-off at 18:45 GMT.