Manchester United boss Skinner frustrated with offside goal in defeat to Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner expressed his frustration that the opening goal in this afternoon’s 3-1 defeat at Manchester City was able to stand.

Jess Park broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when she converted from a Leila Ouahabi cross. The goal should have been chalked off due to forward Khadija Shaw being in an offside position when contributing to the build-up play.

Manchester United had started brightly at The Etihad Stadium but three goals conceded in a nine-minute spell either side of half-time set the scene for a disappointing derby day defeat.

When speaking in the post-match press conference, Skinner expressed his frustration at the offside goal, highlighting the impact that it made in shifting momentum in Manchester City’s favour.

“I actually felt we played well in large parts of the game today, I really did,” Skinner said.

“Will we be disappointed in the goals conceded? Yes. The first goal shouldn’t even exist as a goal, she’s offside. That sets momentum. The difference between big stadiums and smaller stadiums is that when there’s more fans, momentum swings quicker and when a goal goes in that shouldn’t really stand, when I think we’ve had quite a good balance in the game, I think it swings momentum.

“The second and third goals we have to be better with but the players’ energy and commitment in the second half to push Manchester City into a deep block I was really pleased with.

“We are of course really disappointed with the result but there’s a lot of positives for players’ attitudes and commitment in the second half.”

Manchester United created some good early chances but they were unable to make the breakthrough. They were also full of energy in the wide areas throughout but failed to capitalise other than when Manchester City defender Kerstin Casparij put through her own net 17 minutes from time. Skinner was happy with his side’s creativity but admitted that Manchester United lacked ruthlessness.

He said “I’m happy [with the chances created] but in those moments to take them, we didn’t produce.

“As a coach, you want your players to put themselves in those positions and they did. If we are a little bit more clinical, we are one or two-nil up. Geyse’s strike, [Khiara] Keating makes a good save, the pull-back for Keets [Natika Parris]; these are little moments in the game that City didn’t have, so it’s a tight game.

“We can talk about beautiful build-up play but you’re always going to be judged in both boxes and today, we fell short.

“If the first goal doesn’t go in, I think we go into half-time comfortable and we are looking at different game plan strategies. The second one is on us because we lose concentration from a set-piece and we have to be better at that. The third one almost kills the game.”

With five Barclays Women’s Super League fixtures remaining, Manchester United have little but pride left to play for. Skinner insists that The Red Devils will deal with pressure demands and bounce back stronger than ever before.

“Pressure is something you have to deal with every day at Manchester United,” Skinner said. “It’s everywhere, it’s in everything we do. Pressure makes you better, it makes you learn, it makes you stronger.

“This club will rise to the levels we all want. I’m a fighter, so I’m going to put myself in a position where I can make this team the best in the land. That’s my personal responsibility.”

Manchester United are next in action on Sunday 31 March 2024 when Everton are the visitors to the Leigh Sports Village for a Barclays Women’s Super League fixture.