Manchester United host Man City in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford tomorrow.
Marc Skinner has been trying to rally his troops ahead of the game as the women’s team look to make history at the Theatre of Dreams once again. The game will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League and Football from 4pm on Sunday.
City go into the game after losing their last two WSL matches – one against Arsenal, the other a shock defeat to Brighton last weekend – with no winner of the title ever losing more than two matches. That’s enough to say the pressure is already on City going into the game.
Meanwhile, United are one of two (Chelsea) unbeaten teams in the WSL this season, but City star Jill Roord believes they can inflict the first defeat of the season on us.
“They are a very good team, like us,” Roord told Sky Sports. “They play different than us, but at the same time, I think it’s always a difficult game for us. We want to win and take control in the game.
“I think the biggest challenge is ourselves. If we play our game, if we are dominant and if we are brave, I’m confident that we are better and we can win.
“If we don’t bring that fire, then it’s going to be a tough game and they have players with quality. For us, this is a very special game and for all the fans as well. It’s a derby and we have to win.
“The whole atmosphere around it is huge. This is the biggest game in the league for us and in a big stadium is very exciting. It’s been on my mind for a few days and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Speaking to reporters ahead of the match, Skinner said (via ManUtd.com): “When we get to Old Trafford it’s about utilising the history of our club, all the massive moments that have happened on that pitch but it’s also about making our own moments.”
Skinner is also relying on some of the new players United brought in during the summer because it’s moments like this is why they were signed in the first place, which makes it an even greater shame that United crashed out of the Champions League early on.
“The players we signed this year are used to big occasions. They thrive in those environments, they grow.”
Skinner added: “We are adding players now and grow in big environments, they grow and create chances. I am looking forward to seeing [them play] on Sunday.”
It’s also about building the right mentality to win these games. That is an edge Chelsea had over other teams in the WSL and it remains to be seen if that will remain the case for the Blues when they lose their manager.
“I think our team are at a point where they want to attack teams and play the aggressive way that is Manchester United. That’s what I am asking for.”
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