Manchester United boss Marc Skinner has shared his approach to this season’s title race and has urged his players to be ruthless against Brighton this weekend.
The Red Devils made a significant stride last time out in the WSL when they beat bitter rivals Manchester City 4-2 at the Etihad. A hat-trick from Ella Toone and a first half strike from Leah Galton turned the top four on its head as the Cityzens dropped into fourth.
United remain level on 24 points with Arsenal, but sit third only on goal difference. Chelsea’s lead is also firmly intact as they are seven points clear with 11 games played.
Both United and City have a significant opportunity to close the gap on their rivals above them this weekend with Arsenal set to take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Skinner’s side host Brighton at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday evening, but the manager isn’t thinking too far ahead at this stage.
“We always take each game [as it comes],” he told reporters in a press conference on Friday morning. “We have always done that.
“Chelsea have given themselves a healthy lead. We need to try and chop away at that as best we can, but we only play them one more time so, with respect to other teams, Chelsea don’t drop many points.
“I’m sure people can foresee their path [to the title] but for us it’s about being competitive in each game and trying to get points. That’s what we’re trying to do.
“Brighton is a very good opponent and we have to be at our best to beat them, which would be three more points towards the goal. We want to perform in the Champions League, of course we do.
“We want to try and win titles. But, right now, all we can do is focus on trying to get these points and banking them.”
Last time out against Brighton, United were held to a 1-1 draw at the Broadfield Stadium. Grace Clinton opened the scoring on the 10-minute mark, but the visitors failed to build on their lead before the break.
Former Red Nikita Parris then put the Seagulls back on level terms early in the second half and the points were ultimately shared. Progress has been made, though, as United’s ability to take control of a game was on full display at City last Sunday, so Skinner has urged his players to show a similar level of ruthlessness this weekend.
“I’m hoping that happens on Sunday [making the most of our chances,” the United boss added. “We should have been two or three up against Brighton in the first half and they then scored.
“I felt we should have won the game. But, with respect to the opponent, I felt they were good on the day as well. We’ve got to be prepared for that.
“From our perspective, we’ve got to use that Man City ruthlessness. If we do, hopefully we can take those points.”