MANCHESTER, England — Manchester United manager Marc Skinner admitted a statement win was needed heading into the derby at Manchester City. A big win would have reignited his hopes of clinching a place in Europe for next season and maybe assured his future with the Women’s Super League club. But after a lacklustre performance, resulting in a 3-1 loss at the Etihad Stadium, the pressure is piling on the United boss.
“Pressure is something you have to deal with every day at Manchester United; it’s everywhere,” Skinner said postmatch. “From our perspective, pressure is in everything that is at Manchester United and it makes you better, and it makes you learn, and it makes you stronger.
“As much as it hurts right now, I know that this team, where we’re heading, and this club, specifically, will rise to levels that we all want, and we’ll be up there for consistencies because there’s a real energy behind us.”
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Skinner would have needed no reminder of the tightrope he is walking. His record this season, claiming only one point from a possible 15 against the teams in the WSL’s top three, proves he is still struggling to find an answer to the question of how to bridge the gap to the WSL top three consistently….
