After drawing 1-1 to Manchester City at the Ethiad Stadium in front of more than 40,000 fans, the Manchester United head coach, Marc Skinner says that the draw highlights a mentality shift from his team.
United played City in what was an important WSL clash because United knew had they won, they would have gone level on points with Chelsea at the top of the table, with a game in hand but the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Another 🔝 performance 🌪
A well-deserved #WSL Player of the Match award for @Leah_Galton21 🏅#MUWomen pic.twitter.com/wTMAzqxYge
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) December 11, 2022
Leah Galton gave United the lead in the 27th minute before City back back to equalise in the second half through Laura Coombs’ header.
Despite not coming away with all three points, Skinner was pleased with the reaction of his team to bounce back from the equaliser and keep pushing for the win.
“I think what it [the draw] shows is the continuing change in mentality,” he told club media after the match.
“At the end we’re not happy with the fact that we’ve only taken a point. We were very disappointed with the goal we conceded. We defended very well up to that point and after that point. And I thought there were some really good standout performances from every player, but the reality is when I see the team disappointed, and they want to win that game [it’s a positive].
“This Manchester United is different. This is a different beast. It’s a team that now believes in what they’re doing fully.
The boss reflects on derby day, where his Reds earned a hard-fought point 💭#MUWomen || #WSL pic.twitter.com/KWW1DlEEvi
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) December 11, 2022
“We’ve had a great first half of the year [and] we’d have love to have taken three points today but when we reflect, we’ll be pleased with that [result].”
It should also be acknowledged that United were put under pressure towards the closing stages of the game as City tried to clinch all three points but the United defence stood resolute to secure the draw. Having said that, United also had their chances to win the game as the Reds went close through Martha Thomas and Lucia Garcia.
“They’re coming off not feeling ‘we’ve defended for our lives,’” continued Marc. “Actually, we could have won that game and we should have won that game.
“As much as the Manchester City team has been good and are historically a top-three team, we have to change our mentality and I’m seeing that in abundance in every player.
“Every game we grow. Every bit of experience we gain, I’m seeing a mindset shift and a change. And so all credit to the players in the first part of the year, and we’ve got lots of work to do in the next part of the year,” Skinner told the club’s media team [MUTV].
This game against City was the final one of the calendar year, with United not in action until after the New Year, which allows the players to recharge their batteries for what promises to be an exciting second half of the season, with United battling for the league title.
Final #WSL match of 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣2️⃣ = complete ✔️
Now our attentions turn to next Sunday, and our last game of the calendar year: see you there 👊#MUWomen pic.twitter.com/GpyH3LgO1O
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) December 11, 2022