Time for a change? Marc Skinner's trial year is reaching a verdict
The Manchester United manager has been facing the most vociferous criticism from the fanbase since he arrived in July 2021.
A 0-0 between Manchester United and Aston Villa was the Red Devils’ third consecutive draw in the WSL. It keeps Marc Skinner’s side unbeaten this season; however, the mood amongst the fan base cannot be described as happy.
United offered next to nothing by way of an attacking outlet in this game, with five shots, only one on target, in the whole game, and a season-low expected goals tally of 0.5 (per FBref).
Defensively, some brilliant saves from Phallon Tullis-Joyce and late blocks from Gabby George kept the score level and maintained that unbeaten start. Half-time and full-time boos around Leigh Sports Village.
“New” Midfield?
Skinner in his post-match interview with Sky Sports said: “We're still a new team, believe it or not, we've got a brand new midfield, people coming in, we've got a new forward - lots of different changes again.” This garnered a huge backlash online from United fans and was questioned by opposition fans too.
In the first five WSL games, it has been Dominique Janssen and Lisa Naalsund in the double pivot defensively, with Grace Clinton and Ella Toone operating as two 10s — one playing slightly wider than the other.
An enforced change due to a Lisa Naalsund injury meant United lined up with a midfield trio of Janssen, Clinton, and Toone vs Villa.
Two out of those four players were in Manchester last season. Can it really be called a new midfield? Possibly.
United have struggled to control games this season. They get played through midfield very easily. Therefore, a question a lot of fans have been asking is the position of Janssen, who plays at centre-back for the Netherlands and had done so for Wolfsburg during her time there.
Defensively, United has a player in the squad who excels in that holding midfield role, Hayley Ladd.
Another big question amongst some fans this season has been Ladd’s lack of minutes when it looks, from the outside, like the midfield could do with something different.
Ladd has seen zero minutes in the WSL so far this season and seems to have fallen out of favor for that position despite being a key part of United’s best WSL season (2022-23). She also signed a new contract at the end of 2023.
From the attacking point of view - with the creativity that Clinton and Toone bring, United should be able to get control of the ball through the midfield and generate attacks. However, this hasn’t been the case this season.
In the game vs. Villa, there were many times Clinton got on the ball and was quickly smothered by two or three Villa players. Whereas Toone was able to find space but could never receive the ball quickly enough before that space closed.
Isolated Terland
Elisabeth Terland was the signing in the summer that most United fans saw as one of the best deals done by the club. Since arriving, she has netted twice (with both goals coming against Spurs). However, she has struggled to get many opportunities in the other games she has played.
On Sunday, she only had 19 touches of the ball (per FotMob) during the whole game, with only Rachel Willams and Simi Awujo having less (11) - those two players both came off the bench in the 78th minute.
With Terland being the focal point of the United attack, why aren’t we seeing more from her?
A lot of United’s attacking intent in this game came from Maya Le Tissier or Millie Turner knocking it long into the channels for Terland to run onto. Something Terland can do but that isn’t playing fully to her strengths.
Both of her goals this season have come from crosses by Celin Bizet on the right-hand side. Terland was able to finish by operating in and around the six-yard box. With Bizet and Melvine Malard both starting as the wingers against Villa, it was surprising not to see United getting the ball wide to those two, and delivering crosses for Terland.
Fan Frustration / Match Going fans turning?
After the summer transfer window and the FA Cup triumph last season, many fans entered this season cautiously optimistic. Of course, some still had major doubts over the manager.
During the Villa game, it felt like there was the highest level of discontent amongst the match-going fans that we’ve seen during his four seasons in charge.
There were boos at half-time and full-time around Leigh Sports Village, pockets of fans all over the ground with “Skinner Out” chants, and the stadium quickly emptying before the full-time whistle had gone.
Speaking to fans after the game who have defended the manager up to this point, most said that now is probably the time for a change. Despite not losing a game yet, many fans are already feeling frustrated with the poor performances this season and are seeing little improvement from last season. Even with the consensus among the fanbase that this season’s squad is much stronger than previous years.
With Skinner only signing a new one-year contract last summer, it felt like this season was a trial under a new structure. But with the increasing fan pressure for better performances and clear frustration now in the stands, how long can this season be deemed a trial before a final verdict is made?
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