Man United boss Marc Skinner insists they are ready to cause an upset in the Women’s FA Cup final

By James On May 14, 2023

An FA Cup final between Manchester United and Chelsea hardly feels like a ‘David vs Goliath’ game, but when you look at the honors of both their women’s teams and managers – the favorite and the underdog is clear.

This afternoon will be a day of firsts for United. A first cup final, a first appearance at Wembley and a first chance at silverware for manager Marc Skinner.

Chelsea and Emma Hayes have been here before. They have won 13 trophies in the last 11 years and victory over United secures the FA Cup for the third year in a row.

Reformed only in 2018, United have never been a force in the women’s game. That can all change over the course of 90 minutes.

‘We’re getting closer [to Chelsea]said Skinner. “I have no doubt that if you want to pick a favourite, Chelsea should be put on that mantle for the fact that they’ve been here before, they’ve done this before.

Man United boss Marc Skinner insists his side are ready to cause a stir in FA Cup final

They face a formidable side from Chelsea who have won the tournament for the past two seasons

“But the reality is we have a team of rebels who want to make sure that’s not the case.”

TODAY’S MOST IMPORTANT BATTLES

Sam Kerr vs Maya Le Tissier

Manchester United have the best defensive record in the WSL and centre-back Le Tissier is an outstanding performer. But the youngster will have to do her job to keep an experienced and in shape Kerr quiet. The striker has scored seven goals in seven games against United, including one in every league game this season. Kerr has been player of the match in the last two FA Cup finals, scoring twice in each final and will again be the main threat.

Katie Zelem to Erin Cuthbert

Chelsea won the midfield battle in both league games this season, despite United having more possession. The Blues want to play on the counter-attack and Cuthbert is key to Chelsea’s pressing style. United will need to be effective both on and off the ball if they want to play around them. Returning from suspension, Zelem didn’t play her best game last time against Chelsea – a 1-0 defeat in March – but the captain is experienced and key for set pieces too.

Guro Reiten vs Ona Batlle

The two main players for assists in the WSL this season will face each other this afternoon. Batlle is by far the best full-back in the league and will try to push forward at every opportunity. But she will also have a defensive task to stop left winger Reiten. The Norwegian, who has seven goals and 10 assists in the WSL, is having her best season for Chelsea and is a potential match winner.

Skinner was appointed United boss in 2021 after Casey Stoney resigned out of frustration at the club’s slow progress in terms of funding and facilities. In his first season, the club finished fourth, narrowly missing out on a place in Europe. This year was by far the club’s best campaign.

United are at the top of the Women’s Super League, although Chelsea will overhaul them if they win their game by hand and almost secure Champions League football for the first time.

However, Skinner has not always won over United’s vocal fanbase, who can be quick to criticize his tactics when results aren’t to their liking. The 40-year-old admits that he constantly has to prove himself.

‘I always have to prove myself, that’s my job. I prove myself to no one but myself.

“I am my own worst critic. If we don’t win, I don’t win. If you know me as a character and you really know me as a person, I sacrifice a lot. I am very team oriented. My job is to put everyone else on a platform so they can achieve something. We have moved forward, I have moved forward. But I feel like being a good person is something I want to do in my life no matter what job I have.

“I happen to have a job where I’m criticized every day, I happen to have a job where I’m supported every day. I am also human. Sometimes when I’m tired I’ll rant about something I probably know nothing about. There are other times when people are justified in their opinion.

“But the reality is that when you work with us every day, you see someone who is driven, someone who is hard on himself, who supports his players when the times are tough and challenges their players when they’re not.”

This may be United’s first taste of a cup final, but Skinner has been here before. His Birmingham side were beaten 4-1 by Manchester City in 2017 and that experience has served as an important learning curve.

“What we did wrong in Birmingham, we made it a huge event, we made it bigger than it should have been,” said Skinner.

United are having a great season, top of the WSL and in their first major cup final

But Chelsea are a winner’s machine under Emma Hayes and are in superb form themselves

“We made mistakes, that was naivety. We have quotes on the wall from player families and stuff.

“It became an emotional event rather than being a really clear business event. If you win the cup, you can celebrate afterwards and then you can be as emotional as you want.’

Chelsea are a winner’s machine under Hayes, coming into this sell-out final in their best-scoring form of the season – with 6-0 and 7-0 wins over Leicester and Everton in the last seven days.

The Blues, who have been without Fran Kirby and Pernille Harder for most of the season, have looked tired at times but more often than not have found a way to win.

A feisty Hayes claimed her team was ‘quite easily written off’, but in reality their ability to win even when they’re not at their best has only cemented their trophy credentials.

“We feel the best we’ve felt all season,” said Hayes.

We are always the best in our eyes. What is important is the belief, trust and confidence internally.”