By Catherine MacKenzie (28/03/2025)
Above: Marc Skinner and Ella Toone. Photo: Manchester United
Manchester United face a much-changed Everton in the Women’s Super League this Sunday. Ahead of the game, head coach Marc Skinner has been talking about his fear of The Toffees’ “unpredictability”.
This weekend, Manchester United face a resurgent Everton. The Toffees dismantled Crystal Palace 3-0 in their last run out, with goals from Kelly Gago, Justine Vanhaevermaet, and Sara Holmgaard. Recent games have also seen them beat Aston Villa 2-0, with goals from new signing Maren Mjelde and Japanese International Honoka Hayashi. Between September and December, the club scored six goals in the WSL; since January, they have scored fifteen. Under new ownership, the club made six significant signings in the January transfer window, and this investment is paying off.
Since January, Everton’s goal scorers have come from across the pitch, with an unpredictable attacking shape meaning opponents need to adapt throughout the game. Referencing this unpredictability, United head coach Marc Skinner declared that his team are prepared for the possibility of facing different shapes. He added that although the Toffees tend to “give you space”, United will “have to be really focused” to manage their unpredictable attacks.
In the media, there has been a relatively rare week of positivity for Skinner. Ella Toone, arguably United’s most recognisable player, spoke about the support she has felt from her club coach throughout the most difficult season of her career. Following the loss of her father last September, she experienced her first major injury as a professional player, ruling her out of contention for both United and England for two months.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Toone said: “Throughout the hardest part of my whole life, he was there, and he got me through it. I know that his door’s always open, and I can have an honest conversation with him and ask for advice, but also, if I need a shoulder to lean on, I know that I can lean on him”.
In an era where news coming out of either Manchester United team (men’s or women’s) is rarely positive, this was a welcome story for Skinner. Although he says that this kind of heartwarming message from one of his players is harder to deal with personally than the criticism that comes with his job, he added that he is “so, so proud of the way she has been able to deal” with the last few months.
This also comes at a time when there has been the occasional story about player distress at Manchester United. In an Instagram post in February, Brazilian forward Geyse wrote “staying in a place where we don’t feel happy is an agonising and lonely feeling. Every day seems heavier, and the simple fact of being there becomes a burden”. The club have consistently denied that there is a negative environment around the women’s team, and Skinner shared his hope that Toone’s comments will “tell the truth about the environment and about me as a person”.
The head coach was also asked about how he is planning to help players navigate the complex months leading up to a major international tournament (this summer’s European Championships), whilst maintaining their attention at club level. Skinner highlighted the importance of good relationships with teams from the national set-up; the head coach alongside their sports science staff. “I talk with Sarina before and after every camp”, he shared, adding that they “have a good relationship”.
The next few weeks are make-or-break for United’s season; although they are currently seven points ahead of Manchester City in the third Champions League place, they also have the toughest run-in. In their final weeks, United face West Ham, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Arsenal. Whilst most focus is on the final three games against the rest of the top four, the two games against resurgent Everton and West Ham are vitally important to maintain the difference to their cross-city rivals.
In a boost to United fans’ hopes, Skinner shared that barring long-term injuries (Evie Rabjohn) and suspensions (Gabby George), the entire squad is fit ahead of Sunday’s game.
Manchester United v Everton kicks off at 12:00 GMT on Sunday and will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer in the UK. Australian coverage will be on Optus Sport.
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