Skinner: We have real supporters
Manchester United Women concluded the 2023/24 season in difficult fashion, falling to a 6-0 defeat against eventual WSL title winners Chelsea at Old Trafford.
Addressing media during his post-match press conference, Skinner picked over a tough afternoon and gave his take on United's season; a campaign that also saw the Reds lift our first major trophy, the FA Cup, at Wembley the weekend before.
Topics covered included Leah Galton, an address to the fans and his view on what is needed going forward, as we rounded off our campaign in front of a bumper crowd inside the Theatre of Dreams.
Below are just some of his key talking points on a difficult afternoon...
Skinner: We didn't match Chelsea's physicality
Marc Skinner delivers a message for our fans and provides an update on Leah Galton, after the defeat to Chelsea...
A MESSAGE TO THE FANS
"We love them. We've not produced for them today and we wanted to. We've produced the first trophy of what we hope is many in the future. Even their voices at the end, they're there. Real supporters support the team forever and we have real supporters. I am sorry for today but we love them. I'll make sure I die trying to deliver trophies for them for many years to come."
LEAH GALTON INJURY UPDATE
"Leah's sustained an ankle injury in that game [last weekend's FA Cup final]. She'll be out for a few months while we assess it. For the injury, it's actually in a positive place on the level and specturm of it. But she'll miss out up until probably pre-season and then hopefully get her back for the start of the season."
THE GAP TO THE TOP
"No, I don't think it [the result] reflects the gap. I think it reflects the gap in the game, for sure, but apart from that; the counter-attacks were aggressive. They were physical. We knew that was going to happen. And then you get hurt on that. So you've got to defend those physicalities. But yeah, I mean, apart from that, I don't think that we're a six-nil away from Chelsea. I don't think that at all. But we do need to continue to develop the depth of our squad in order to compete."
A TOUGH MOMENT
"It feels like [the lowest moment] in the moment, right, but I think it's part and parcel of a team that are trying to develop. We're unfolding in front of your eyes. We have to grow, and we have to try things where you have to recruit more players, and you have to continue to grow so quickly, that where do you get your consistency? Over the past few years, we've had to keep evolving the squad, and we've got to get to a point where that is minimal, I think, minimal disruption."