Skinner: Utd can qualify…

MANCHESTER — Following a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Women’s Super League (WSL), Marc Skinner expressed his belief that Manchester United could still secure a European spot, emphasizing that the “team is giving everything.”

United came into this pivotal match at Old Trafford after a close 3-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal.

With limited squad depth, the hosts had only five outfield substitutes available, three of whom were under 18 years old.

“I’m not disappointed with the players, I’m disappointed with the result,” Skinner said in a post-match news conference. “It’s a tough outcome, but the players are all putting in maximum effort.”

“Our squad availability is limited due to the demanding schedule. The players are giving everything they have. We’re making critical mistakes due to mental fatigue,” he continued.

United’s squad was without eight key players, with six injured, Julia Zigiotti Olme suspended, and Celin Bizet unavailable since early in the season due to pregnancy.

Skinner expressed optimism that Elisabeth Terland could return for the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday as she deals with Achilles tendinopathy. He remarked that the team’s injuries have resulted from overexertion due to their European commitments.

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“When players are fatigued, they struggle to maintain proper positioning and make timely decisions. It may appear as if they’re avoiding the ball, but they just react a moment too late, which can limit their options for forward play,” he noted.

“The team is giving everything they can. If we receive the necessary investment in key areas, I believe we can meet those expectations,” he added.

The loss could cause Manchester United to drop from second to fourth place if Arsenal and Chelsea win their respective matches. United has already been eliminated from the FA Cup and lost the League Cup final 2-0 to Chelsea, meaning their European aspirations may hinge on the final matchday against Chelsea.

“It’s a challenging stretch ahead. However, I’m not concerned,” Skinner stated regarding the possibility of finishing outside European qualification. “I’m confident in what this team can achieve. Even on Wednesday, I know what they will bring. We simply need to find effective strategies to limit the opponents’ opportunities. We allowed them too much space in the box for headers. These are the adjustments we need to make. With the upcoming fixtures, we must win our remaining matches.”

Manchester City on the Verge of Title

On the other side, opposition manager Andree Jeglertz was in a celebratory mood following the decisive victory.

“The weather didn’t cooperate, I must admit,” he remarked. “The first half wasn’t just our best half; it was one of the finest performances of the season.”

“Seeing the players display their skills with confidence and belief in such a high-stakes match is amazing. It was a fantastic experience,” he added.

With this win, City now sits 11 points clear atop the table and could clinch their first WSL title in a decade in their next league match against Brighton following the international break.

Despite their substantial lead, Jeglertz maintained a cautious approach regarding the remaining three matches of the season, complimenting his players for managing the pressure of being in a title race.

“Anything can happen in the last three games, and we need to keep performing, but I believe the players handle the pressure well,” he stated. “I have a strong belief in this group; if they play with the same confidence, we’ll prove difficult to beat.”

“Winning is important, but doing so while making a statement boosts our confidence,” he concluded.