By Catherine MacKenzie (17/04/2025)
Above: Marc Skinner. Photo: Manchester United.
Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner has told his team to expect a tough game when they face West Ham this weekend in the Women’s Super League.
Heading into the final weeks of the WSL season, Manchester United face arguably the toughest run-in of any team in the league. Following a trip to London to face a resurgent West Ham, they face Chelsea and Manchester City at Old Trafford before finishing the season away at Arsenal.
It is make-or-break time for the Red Devils; continue their good run of form and they continue to cement their third-place finish (and the potential for Champions League football next season). Manchester City are seven points behind their cross-city rivals, and will be eager to pounce on any dropped balls from United.
Speaking about their run-in ahead of the visit to London, United manager Marc Skinner echoed the need to be at their best over the next few weeks:
“Every game is so important now and I really think they [players] are really looking forward to the game, which I think is great as it is a big game. It’ll be tight, it’ll be tough to beat West Ham – they are always tough to beat, especially at that ground.”
West Ham have had a good season; currently seventh, they have beaten Brighton and done the double over Tottenham. Draws against Manchester City and Chelsea have been recent highlights, and Skinner is not underestimating the Hammers and their head coach, Rehanne Skinner (even though the two share their last name, they are not related).
The two head coaches know each other well; Marc Skinner worked as the West Ham boss’ assistant for a season at Leicester City. Discussing his former mentor this week, the United head coach shared:
“Rehanne’s super strength is consistency. Even when she’s under fire, she’s consistent with the messages and, you know, I think that her team are thriving on that, and she’s obviously recruited well on the budget.”
West Ham are known for their ability to defend and counter-attack. In their recent draw with Chelsea, they limited the blues to two big chances, winning more ground and aerial duels (51% and 57% respectively), and making nine more tackles (31 to Chelsea’s 22).
The Hammers also had one more shot on target (six to Chelsea’s five), two of which were provided by the German youth international Shekiera Martinez.
Speaking on what he expects tactically, Skinner echoed the need to avoid complacency against a team that on-paper, United should expect to beat:
“Rehanne knows very well how to stop teams playing and how to hit people on the counter. She’s super organised. I think it’s going to be a really tough game, but we’ve got to try and do what we do, which is, take the victory”.
Manchester United face West Ham on Saturday 19th April. Kick off is at 12pm UK time, and will be streamed on Sky Sports in the UK.
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