The Skinner question and Manchester United's missed opportunity
United fall to Bayern Munich in Champions League quarter-finals as noise continues to grow around Marc Skinner
Manchester United’s Champions League story is over and sadly there was no fairytale ending.
Marc Skinner’s side lost 2-1 in the second leg of their quarter-final tie to Bayern Munich, a 5-3 defeat on aggregate.
There was a brief moment of hope when United took an early lead through Melvine Malard, but sadly they couldn’t build on their opening goal that briefly levelled up the tie. Two late goals from Bayern killed the potential of a magical night in Munich.
What is particularly frustrating is that United took their foot off the gas when they had momentum after Malard’s goal. Chances fell to Malard and Fridolina Rolfo and a second goal would have completely transformed the tie.
In the second half, United found themselves absorbing waves of Bayern pressure and it was reflected in the fact that Skinner’s side registered just one shot in the entire second half and had just 24% possession - a shadow of the six shots (four on target) and 45% possession they had in the first half.
Tiredness, which has plagued United for weeks, undoubtedly kicked in again, and the team’s setup did change to become more defensively minded, with the two wide players Rolfo and Jess Park dropping deeper and not providing the same support to Malard. There was no out ball, no possession, no control and Skinner watched on as the Bayern corner count continued to stacked up in the second half. It became clear the match was only going to end one way.
Set-piece issues
United’s issue with defending set pieces can be traced all the way back to the Champions League qualifying games against SK Brann.
Both of Bayern’s goals in this second leg came from corner kicks, with United failing to properly defend any of the corners in the second half. While there were some crucial blocks from Malard, Maya Le Tissier and Millie Turner, it always felt like Bayern were going to score from one of the 14 corners that United gave up.
Le Tissier highlighted her frustration at United’s set-piece issues, saying after the game: “I’m fuming to be fair. Two set pieces, it seems like every single game we have been knocked out on set pieces. Same as the FA Cup. It’s something we need to work on and it’s frustrating.”
The worry for United is that these season-long issues haven’t been rectified. Bayern have been strong from set pieces all season in the Frauen-Bundesliga, realistically it was an inevitable outcome that goals would come this way. Improvements are needed in this area and quickly if United are going to go and win the remaining three WSL games.
Champions League journey
If you asked most United fans at the start of the season what their expectations were for a first European campaign, I think most would have snapped your hand off to be in the quarter-finals and to have had more than a glimmer of hope for the semi-finals.
United’s competition started all the way back in August in Sweden for the qualifying mini tournament. United made easy work of PSV and Hammarby and continued their strong form in the last round of qualifying against SK Brann.
The league phase was full of big performances, particularly away from home as United ground out 1-0 wins against Atletico Madrid and Juventus. However the level provided a step above when it came to meeting Lyon & Wolfsburg, who brushed United aside convincingly.
Beating Atletico again in the last 16 round felt a monumental moment for the team, showing they belong on the European stage. Defeat to Bayern isn’t something to be ashamed of, and it will have been a learning curve for all involved.
Skinner’s future
Fan criticism of Skinner is not unusual as he’s faced it pretty much during his entire tenure at the club. However, the calls for his sacking have grown louder with recent results. There will be no trophy for United this season and to qualify for Europe United have to win their three remaining WSL games, including a clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on the final day.
There’s no denying Skinner has improved this team, taken United to four cup finals, winning one, and into Europe. They’ve competed well and added some brilliant talent to the squad. However, the question now is, has this current regime reached its peak? Would a change of idea and a fresh perspective elevate the team to even greater heights?
Sometimes it’s better the devil you know. Equally, all good teams start to plateau, and United feel like they’ve reached that point.
A lot will depend on the final three results this season. A top-three finish might be enough for Skinner to see out his current contract, which runs out at the end of next season. But a fourth-place finish could prove too much of a drop off with the investment that has gone into the squad over the last two transfer windows. The pressure is on, three games to go, all to play for.
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