Sports Hub
Nations League

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner insists games in the Women’s Super League opening weekend could resemble ‘walking football’ as he criticises games being ‘shovelled in’ amidst a congested international schedule

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner insists games in the Women’s Super League opening weekend could resemble ‘walking football’ as he criticises games being ‘shovelled in’ amidst a congested international schedule


Man United boss Marc Skinner criticised the congested schedule in the WSLLeague returns this weekend just days after international fixtures were playedMail Sport’s new WhatsApp Channel: Get the breaking news and exclusives here

Manchester United manager Marc Skinner said the final 20 minutes of this weekend’s Women’s Super League matches could resemble ‘walking football’ with players fatigued after a demanding international schedule.

Several of Skinner’s squad were involved in mid-week matches, with the likes of Ella Toone and Mary Earps playing in England’s Nations League fixtures just five weeks after the World Cup final.

Millie Bright had complained about the fixture scheduling after England’s 2-1 defeat by the Netherlands this week and said that ‘standards may slip’ due to the demands on players.

Skinner shared those thoughts said the short turnaround could have a significant impact on matches in the first few weeks of the campaign.

‘I just hope it doesn’t have a lag into the season,’ Skinner said. ‘We all want this energetic start. I might be predicting the future and I might get it wrong but I imagine every game this weekend will end with walking football.

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner insists games in the Women’s Super League opening weekend could resemble ‘walking football’ as he criticises games being ‘shovelled in’ amidst a congested international schedule

Man United boss Marc Skinner criticised the scheduling of Women’s Super League return this weekend 

Several of Skinner's players including Ella Toone featured in England's defeat against the Netherlands on Tuesday

Several of Skinner’s players including Ella Toone featured in England’s defeat against the Netherlands on Tuesday

Your browser does not support iframes.

‘By the last 20 minutes it will probably be like walking football because there will be people that are fatigued, not up to scratch, not up to the minutes they need. From my perspective it’s a crazy way to just shovel games in.

‘I get the format, I get the intent but I’m not even sure the international managers were happy with it.

‘Some might have been that didn’t compete in the World Cup but others won’t be so from my perspective it’s a strange window and will definitely lead to a lack of cohesion for a lot of teams going into all of their markets, not just England.It definitely wasn’t ideal.’

Leicester City manager Willie Kirk echoed Skinner’s sentiments. ‘It’s a pain in the backside, I hate the international window,’ Kirk said.

‘I like it in terms of the players getting a little break, in terms of a change of scenery. Not break as a physical break, but just a mental break. So you load them for five, six weeks, with new information – especially the new signings.

Leicester manager Willie Kirk agreed with Skinner's sentiments claiming that he hates  the international window

Leicester manager Willie Kirk agreed with Skinner’s sentiments claiming that he hates  the international window

‘So sometimes it’s nice to go back to an environment that they’ve been in before. But you’re constantly checking your phone, you’re checking lineups, you’re checking substitutions.

‘If somebody comes off you’re worried they’ve got a knock, if somebody’s not playing you’re wondering why they’re not playing. Yeah, it’s just a really unsettling time.

‘I was a little bit frustrated we never started before in the Nations League. I think every major league in Europe did apart from us. I don’t know why we are any different. Supposedly that was voted on by the clubs – I know what we voted.’

‘I just felt that the nerves and the excitement that’s attached to the first game of the season it would have been better to go out the way before the international break.’

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

PLAY TEAMSHEET: Can YOU remember who was in Man United’s starting XI from their epic 4-3 win over rivals Man City in 2009?

Related posts

Police say death of Sheffield United star Maddy Cusack is not being treated as suspicious after her body was found at a house – as ‘devastated’ players and fans pay tribute to 27-year-old vice captain

admin

Gareth Southgate confirms England WILL choose the knee ahead of kick-off in Environment Cup opener

admin

EURO 2024 TEAM GUIDE: Croatia finished third in the World Cup and second in the Nations League… now they seek glory in what is likely to be Luka Modric’s final international tournament

admin