Manchester United manager Marc Skinner told the media (with a wry smile) that his side are ready to “hunt” Wolverhampton Wanderers in Saturday’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup fifth-round clash. United are the holders and face the third-tier side on their quest to retain the cup.
Skinner told reporters that while Wolves are two tiers below United, there is no room for complacency. He also reacted to news of United’s ‘Mission One’ strategy for the women to win their first Barclays Women’s Super League title.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhat did Marc Skinner say?
Previewing Saturday’s clash, Skinner said: “When you’re playing against Manchester United and in front of your fan base in a really packed out stadium, I’m expecting a 20% rise in kind of potential quality – a nothing to lose situation so that always raises [the level].
“It’s probably a strange pun, but we’ve got to go and hunt Wolves.
“We’re treating Wolves as if it’s a WSL team, there’s no danger of us being complacent. I don’t think the environment and the fans will allow us to be complacent either.”
Wolves are currently second in the northern division of the third tier. The division’s winners will be promoted to the Barclays Women’s Championship, along with the southern winners. Wolves, managed by Dan McNamara, progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup by beating Reading 2-1, while United beat West Bromwich Albion 7-0. Skinner was quick to voice his respect for Saturday’s opponents, who will hope to pull off an upset against the holders.
Embed from Getty Images“It’s a club that I’m sure has eyes on WSL as well not just the Championship….whenever you talk about growth and expansion they are a club that’s mentioned,” Skinner said.
“It’s a really compact stadium where the fans are going to be I’m sure out in force as well as our fans will be so I think it will be the probably the most typical FA Cup – as close to men’s FA Cup games as you can possibly get, I’d imagine.
“For us I think it’s about using the energy of the crowd and and as I say doing our job we have to be professional you have to treat it like we’re playing a WSL opponent and give them the best of our respect.”
United are still without Evie Rabjohn who is recovering from an ACL injury, and Lisa Naalsund who is recovering from a foot injury – though Skinner hopes the latter could be back after the international break. Dominique Janssen picked up a knock against Tottenham Hotspur in last weekend’s 3-0 league win for United. She has been training with the team and will be assessed before Saturday’s match.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe other news from United this week was that INEOS sport chief Sir Dave Brailsford has unveiled ‘Mission 21’, his strategy to win the men’s 21st Premier League title, as well as ‘Mission One’, the plan to win the club’s first Barclays Women’s Super League. United want to do both by 2028. There have been concerns about the club’s commitment to the women’s side after comments from Sir Jim Ratcliffe. In June, Ratcliffe referred to the men’s team as the “first team” and admitted focus had been on the men’s side. In an interview with United We Stand in December, he referred to the men as “the main issue.” However, Skinner told the media his side are well supported by the club.
“I think it’s it’s really good that we’ve got a really aspirational goal, and I want us to continue to invest in the right areas along the way to make sure we can try and reach (it).
“There’s not one above the other [the men’s or women’s]. It’s a clear focus that we want both teams to drive to be successful, to be really ambitious, and the wording was even changed around in our conversation to make sure it supports the women’s structure and the growth of the women’s team as well. I think it’s fantastic that we’re aligned.
“We’ve got work to do to meet those targets but I think it’s positive and again I know there are many people that care about the women’s team competing and challenging for our first title. “
Skinner said he had not seen Alan Brazil’s controversial comments on talkSPORT that played down the importance of plans for the women’s side.
United face Wolves at New Bucks Head at 17:15 on Saturday 8th February.
