‘I’m buzzing’ – Man Utd’s Skinner toasts seventh-straight win

Manchester United are getting the job done when it matters most – and their seven-game winning streak has gone under the radar.

Juggling Champions League football while battling within the top three in the Women’s Super League at the same time has been a new challenge for United this season.

But Marc Skinner’s side have so far passed the test with flying colours, though it has not always looked pretty.

Their latest victory, a stodgy 2-1 win over London City Lionesses, was the definition of winning ugly.

Does Skinner mind? Not at all. In fact, he described it as “genuinely one of the biggest wins of the season”.

“To use a Manchester term, I’m absolutely buzzing. I’m so happy for the team and everyone behind the scenes, but particularly the players,” he added.

“It’s not easy to come off the pitch that we played on mid-week [against Atletico Madrid], get back at 4am and produce a winning performance today.

United had to come from behind at Leigh Sports Village as Nikita Parris headed the visitors in front after just five minutes.

A difficult first half followed but Jess Park’s moment of brilliance gave United a lifeline and they made it count when Millie Turner headed in the winner late on.

It was a crucial three points, knowing Arsenal and Chelsea are hot on their heels in the WSL table, and extended United’s unbeaten run to 11 games.

United, already injury-hit, were without Melvine Malard because of illness, the French striker having impressed in Thursday’s 3-0 win in Madrid.

But they only needed two shots on target to score twice – a ruthlessness that is emerging increasingly since the turn of the new year.

They stayed in the game when they were struggling in the first half thanks to individual quality, and they capitalised on a set-piece when the game was in the balance late on to get over the line. Those are always valuable traits to be able to call upon.

“The amount of challenges we had in the game… I put [midfielder] Lisa Naalsund in about seven different positions,” Skinner joked afterwards.

“You could see there was an energy deficiency from us and a [lack of] cohesion. The players coming in were incredible but it just needs time to click.

“We just needed to get through today – we really did. The most successful teams in the country have done it for many years. Chelsea have definitely done that.

Successful transfer windows in January and the summer have helped build squad depth, while Skinner puts their improvement down to “maturing” with experience.

Criticism of performances has still come their way from United supporters but Skinner insists it is all about results right now.

“I know my team has this ideology about having to play a style of football that’s really attractive and we want to build possession,” he said earlier this week.

“But actually, it’s the way we mix our game that keeps things unpredictable. When I look at how we play now, the goals [against Atletico] were ruthless.

“I’d rather be that team – that is ruthless in the two boxes – than one that plays lovely football up to that point, concedes goals and scores nothing.

“It’s that maturity and recognition that it’s our first challenge of depth in competition. We just have to get some of these games done.”

It remains a learning curve for United on how to navigate multiple competitions – but the signs have been hugely positive.

They have a Women’s League Cup final against Chelsea to play next month, after an FA Cup fifth round tie against the same opponents.

They have one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 3-0 first leg lead in their play-off with Atletico Madrid, and they should wrap it up on Thursday.

Should they emerge from those, and remain in the WSL’s top three – securing European football for next year – United will have a lot to celebrate in May.

“That’s the aim. We will face tough opponents, and we have another leg on Thursday. It’s not done yet and we have to dig in,” said Skinner.

“When you get here, what is the point in walking halfway through hell then turning around? You have to walk all the way through it, feel the suffering and pain of it and try get through to see what’s on the other side.