Ahead of the all-important Manchester derby this weekend, Manchester United manager Marc Skinner spoke to the press about his side’s preparation. Off the back of an historic Champions League win midweek, they’ll be looking to steal both points and bragging rights from their rivals at the Etihad. Read every word of Skinner’s press conference below:
Coming off the back of a landmark victory midweek and now heading into the derby must keep everybody on their toes! But does this feel like a good set of games to have back-to-back?
Marc Skinner: “Yeah, it does. Manchester City obviously have a week going into us, so a week’s prep and turnaround is probably unkind for us in terms of being the earlier game and on the Saturday. But what I’d say is, when you go into these big midweek games in the Champions League, you become hardened quickly.
“I think the team’s played the most competitive minutes, so we’re the most ready. We look forward to the challenge of the game, playing a fantastic team that are in form. I look forward to the challenge but as you say, being big game ready will hopefully help us get into this one.”
Man City are obviously top of the league and had a new coach take over in the summer. Are you surprised as to how quickly things have clicked for them since Andrée Jeglertz came in?
Marc Skinner: “Yeah they’ve changed, we played them preseason as well, and they’re adapting. They’re a little bit more direct than they have been before.
“I think they’ve played well in games. But also, I look at the Everton game and I felt that Everton had them a little bit towards the end of the game. I still think there are frailties that the team can have, which every team has, but what Andrée’s brought in is he’s utilising the skill set of the players he has.
“They’re a really invasive team, and so they’re using that invasion and I think it’s working for them. They still mix the style, but the reality is, regardless of playing a very good team, Andrée’s done a great job so far, so I’m sure they’ll be confident going into this one as well.”
With games coming thick and fast, how do you deal with keeping players fresh and ensuring enough rotation while not impacting the quality of the play?
Marc Skinner: “It’s really difficult. It’s one of the most challenging things, and it’s something I looked at going into this season, especially knowing we made Champions League. But Wednesday night, I saw players that came into the game that gave absolutely everything, just like the starters did. I think the energy and commitment from the team is there, and it’s abundant. That togetherness and that energy really is what defines us as a different type of team.
“We were able to make some changes the other night, and we’ll be able to make a few changes going into this one as well. We assess the players today, so I don’t really know where they’re at yet. We gave them the day off yesterday, so they come in today, and we’ll see where they’re at. We’ll hit the freshest players with the right technical, tactical focus, and then believe in the spirit and quality that we have.”
After the Aston Villa game you mentioned it was ‘the little details’ that let you down – can you elaborate on what details you have to get right in order to beat Manchester City?
Marc Skinner: “You have to invade them. You have to create spaces in front to be able to exploit behind, but then use the ones behind them as well. They have a fantastic attack, and they’re very good going forward, so trying to make them defend as much as possible will also be key. They have a world class front line, so being able to prepare that and defend that, and take 1v1 moments in both boxes, will be key to the outcome.
“We need to stress how to defend as a team, but also we have the quality that can exploit them going the other way as well. I’m expecting a highly motivated team to play against us, and we have to match that and go above that if we’re going to win the game.”
Phallon Tullis-Joyce picked up a knock against Aston Villa which is why we saw Safia Middleton-Patel step up on Wednesday – can you give us an update on Phallon?
Marc Skinner: “Early this afternoon she’s meeting with the doctors, so we’ll be able to know more. I’m hoping she might be available for the weekend, they weren’t able to get her in yesterday, so we’re looking today.”
You’ve spoken before about Simi Awujo’s quality in creating chances, scoring, and destroying opponents but you’ve always said we’ve got much more to see from her. Can you elaborate on what that is?
Marc Skinner: “When we see Simi at her very best, which I saw at the start of preseason, was just her ability to drive with the ball. She can move people out of the way even if they try and stop her. I don’t want to compare her to a male player, but it’s a bit like Yaya Torre in terms of when he would move players out of the way with the quality and physical qualities he had.
“She also has the technical understanding and the tactical quality to unlock anybody. You’ll see her pick the ball up, drive with it, and beat players, and then she’ll create and score from those moments. She’s a fantastic athlete, and someone that once you see her in full prime, she’ll terrify midfielders.”
And a quick follow up on Ella Toone, she came off from the bench on Wednesday, was that injury related?
Marc Skinner: “Going into the game Toonie had a little niggle so it was just managing her minutes really. She’d hit the game against Villa hard, so we were just making sure. It was a tiny niggle, but I didn’t want it to get worse. Her coming into the game was always the plan so she could be ready for these next two games coming up as well.
“Absolutely, she’s fit and healthy. With three games back-to-back in such a short period of time, it would have been irresponsible for us, and a risk given the amount of 90 minutes she’s played. She’d love to, and wants to play every minute, but she understood in this moment that it’s about balance.
“It’s a tough conversation but she took it really well and showed lots of maturity and understands that it comes from a place of trying to protect her and help the team.”
This week marks the return of Jess Park to Manchester City after her move in the summer. Andrée Jeglertz says he doesn’t think of her as a player they miss but is she looking forward to getting out there and showing City what they’re missing?
Marc Skinner: “City played a huge part in Jess’ development but I take that as a compliment, because if we look at context for managers, they like playing different ways, and different styles. We went for Jess because we needed someone that could create and control spaces and be able to move off the line.
“Before Andrée came in, City had quite a rigid, understandable style. Everybody knew what they were going to do, but they were very good at it. Andrée has brought in more rotation, but he clearly prefers a certain style of player and that’s fine because that’s his context. I prefer players that can open up spaces and create uncertainty in midfielders and defenders. Jess has done that incredibly well.
“I’m actually buzzing, he didn’t want to keep her because we now have a little superstar and someone that I know will love and relish. She has a lot of love for Manchester City, of course, she was there a long time, but if you know anything about a player like Jess, she’ll want to make sure that she proves why she’s a fantastic Manchester United player on Saturday.”
You spoke about energy levels before PSG and said win, lose, or draw, you like to stay focused and never get too carried away. But that was a pretty special night on Wednesday at Old Trafford. There must be a buzz amongst the squad right now?
Marc Skinner: “There really is, as I said I’ve not seen them yet after their day off, but there really is. And look there absolutely should be.
“Yesterday I went straight on to preparing for Manchester City but we had our analysts looking ahead and our coaching staff. The team had to focus fully on the PSG game, so yeah, there is a buzz now and there should be. It was a fantastic performance, great energy, great commitment, and that will carry us forwards into these next games.
“I know Manchester City will have a freshness in legs, but we’ll have a readiness in body and mind. I think that will be key as well going into this and how we can attack the game.”
The stakes in this fixture are always high, but given the strong start both sides have made and, the calibre of both squads, do you think this could be one of the fiercest Manchester derbies that we’ve seen?
Marc Skinner: “Yeah, probably! I mean it will be great for you guys, and wouldn’t it be great for the fans? As I said, Andrée has mixed styles and done a fantastic job since he’s come in. They’re in form, but I also see ways we can exploit them, as I’m sure they’ll see the same for us.
“It will be two really in form teams going head-to-head. And hopefully for us, it’s the positive, but I’m sure it’ll be a great game for everybody to watch.”
Have you been surprised by how quickly she’s become a key figure for you?
Marc Skinner: “Honestly no, because when I spoke to Jess, I knew that she’d come in this way. She was ready, and that’s what I think Andrée’s probably alluding to, is that she was ready for this move. She had gone to the end of the wire with Manchester City, and now she has a lot of love for Manchester United. She came off the pitch on Wednesday night and said the atmosphere and playing at Old Trafford will be a lifelong memory.
“You can have fond memories of your past, that helps you get to where you are, but you can also have a lot of love for the here and now.
“Jess spoke after the game about having freedom, and I’ll clarify what that freedom is. That doesn’t mean we go, “Jess, just go on the field and do what you want.” It means we pre identify spaces and opponents that she can exploit, and then ask her to do what she does, which is dribble, drive, commit and cut. All of the things that defenders hate to play against. What you’re going to get from Jess the this weekend is a fully focused energy and she’ll want to win the game. I’ve no doubt about that.”
Melvine Malard’s goal on Wednesday was brilliant, and very reflective of her season so far. She’s already equalled her best goal tally in the league. What do you think has given her that extra edge?
Marc Skinner: “Her ability to communicate and understand communication quicker and more effectively is the real secret behind why she she’s taking on more information. Even in games, she’s speaking to players, she’s giving feedback. Sometimes you stick within yourself as a player, where you can’t really communicate. There was also the language barrier before, and I think that then has an effect on the football field, whereas now, she’s fluent.
“I’ve already spoken about her character and how it’s very Manchester United. She’s all about big moments. And there was no better moment than Wednesday. She used her physical strength, her ability to run against one of her close friends, and then the quality on the finish just says it all. But I think it would be that her communication is improved, and that brings a lot of confidence. Melvine is really at top of her game. If I was a defender, I really wouldn’t want to be playing against her right now.”
We’ve seen you play with different options up front, sometimes using Terland and Malard. How does the different style of player help you adapt to the current situation in the game?
Marc Skinner: “Well, it just gives you different ways to find the answers. We talked about Simi [Awujo] earlier, she’ll give you a different answer to Toonie [Ella Toone], she’ll give you a different answer to [Julia] Zigiotte Olme and Henny [Hinata Miyazawa] in midfield and Lisa [Naalsund]. We have different options, and we want to keep adapting, keep evolving.
“I don’t want to stand still, and that’s why I want to use the transfer window in January to evolve us again. I don’t want people to get used to us, because once they get used to you, they can stop you. I want to make sure we keep evolving, keep adapting, and it’s something I pride myself on as a coach and a head coach.”