No fear – so can Man Utd finally overcome nemesis Chelsea?

Manchester United have not enjoyed recent finals against Chelsea.

The Blues swept the domestic trophies last season, including the Women’s FA Cup, defeating United 3-0 at Wembley.

It was the second time in three seasons Chelsea had ruined United’s day and hopes of a big prize in the FA Cup, but manager Marc Skinner hopes it will be different when the two teams meet in Sunday’s Women’s League Cup showpiece (14:15 GMT) at Ashton Gate.

United are full of momentum, having booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Champions League, and they sit second in the WSL, a point and place above Chelsea.

“We don’t fear Chelsea – we respect them because you have to,” Skinner told BBC Sport. “This is a different Chelsea team and this is a different Manchester United. We’re more experienced now and we’ve got good depth.

“We just have to not get too worried about the opponent and get to that level regardless. Our aim is to try to beat Chelsea.

Chelsea’s dominant record over United extends to the WSL, where they have never lost in 12 meetings, winning 10 of them.

But the gap has been closing.

This season, Chelsea needed an extra-time winner to knock United out of the FA Cup in their fifth-round tie and were held to a 1-1 draw in their WSL meeting in October.

It has been a turbulent time for the Londoners as they have fallen nine points behind WSL leaders Manchester City. Manager Sonia Bompastor has come under pressure and off-field issues – including the departure of much-loved head of women’s football Paul Green – have sparked debate and concern.

Suddenly, the ‘mentality monsters’ appear vulnerable – but can United take advantage?

“I don’t want to use this moment of vulnerability to do anything other than pretend we’re playing them at their best. Prepare for their best, and you can beat Chelsea,” Skinner said.

“We all know they’re an incredible team. Nobody’s denying that. But if we can get to our best levels in any game, I genuinely believe we can beat any team.

“Whatever form Chelsea are in, I’m going to challenge my team to be ready and focused on winning that game of football.

“Chelsea will do that. They’re not bothered about Manchester United, so we won’t be worried about them.”

Despite United’s strong campaign so far, some fans remain unconvinced.

This is the fourth successive season in which they have reached a domestic cup final, but they are yet to mount a genuine WSL title challenge and have lifted just one major trophy, the 2024 FA Cup, in their eight-year professional existence.

So can the club achieve more? Is Skinner getting the best out of his squad? Should United’s ambitions be more than just reaching finals?

“When you reach a certain level of experience in finals, you don’t want to not be experiencing them year-in, year-out. We also know that [in] the league, the teams behind the top four are investing more than enough to make it an open league,” said Skinner.

“The top-tier teams still spend the most and London City Lionesses are not far behind. We have to set our own markers at Manchester United. Whether you love it, or hate it – we’ve just got to compete. Sometimes we have to find different ways to do it.

“I’m not going to say my job isn’t to get us into cup finals and try to win them every year. All I’d ask is that if there’s a season where that doesn’t happen, you look at the context.

Skinner’s management will continue to be scrutinised, but he believes he has learned to be more ruthless with decision-making this season.

Balancing Champions League football with domestic duties for the first time, attempting to maintain their position in the WSL’s top three, and fighting for trophies, has meant rotating his squad, using players out of position and managing injuries.

Expectations have increased thanks to strong signings, but competition for places in the starting XI has left Skinner with tough decisions.

He knows there will be disappointed players when he selects the team to walk out at Bristol City’s ground to face Chelsea for the first of five games in 14 days for United.

“When I don’t rotate, people say, ‘you should rotate’. When I do rotate, they say, ‘you shouldn’t rotate’. No wonder I don’t listen any more!” said Skinner.

“It’s what’s needed for the game. Those decisions get harder and harder. I’m having conversations with players that haven’t played as many minutes as they want. I don’t think people see that. It hurts both humans on a deep level.

“A player thinks the reward is solely on the minutes. It might just be the fit – it might be that someone else is in better form. Those are the hardest conversations I have.