‘Don’t know yet’ whether Manchester United owners will attend Women’s FA Cup final – Skinner | OneFootball

Manchester United manager Marc Skinner says he has no doubt the club will be ‘well represented’ at Wembley for Sunday’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup final, but doesn’t know yet who from the club hierarchy will be there.

United are preparing to defend their FA Cup title against Chelsea, who are seeking a domestic treble and unbeaten domestic season. Victory at Wembley would seal both for Sonia Bompastor’s side.

What did Marc Skinner say?

Previewing United’s third consecutive appearance in the FA Cup final, Skinner was asked whether any of United’s owners were expected at Wembley to support the team.

“I honestly don’t know who’s there, but I know that we’re going to be well represented. I’ve no doubt about that.

“As you can imagine, I’ve got X’s and O’s running through my head trying to find out what to do on the field. But I have no doubt that we’ll be well represented.”

Last year, when United beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 to lift their first major trophy, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was not present, instead attending the men’s team’s Premier League defeat to Arsenal. It was reported that at that game Ratcliffe met now-Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to discuss options for the future of Old Trafford, adding some context to his decision to miss the occasion at Wembley.

Fans will have to wait to see if Ratcliffe or other members of United’s hierarchy appear at Wembley, with Skinner saying: “I don’t know yet (who will be attending). But I’m sure I’ll be told that nearer the day, because obviously we want to say hello to them as they come and try and celebrate and hopefully celebrate us lifting the FA Cup again.”

Ratcliffe and INEOS have been criticised for their approach to the women’s team, but Marc Skinner has said multiple times that he feels supported by the club.

Turning to the match, Skinner confirmed the only expected absence is full-back Jayde Riviere. Her likely replacement Aoife Mannion will return from a one-match suspension, and forward Rachel Williams is set to come back in. Skinner also confirmed that the club are in conversation with Williams over a contract extension.

United have lost 1-0 in both league encounters against Chelsea this season, and have only ever beaten them once. That was in the semi-final of last year’s FA Cup – but Skinner believes their most recent encounter, a narrow 1-0 loss at Leigh Sports Village in April, was United’s best performance against Sunday’s opponents.

“There’s no doubt about it. In this country, Chelsea are the biggest challenge for every football team.

“For me, it’s about just not accepting that just because they have the best resources that they have to be the best team on every occasion.”

“I think when you set yourself up for that challenge and you know that you’re going to have to go through hell to get the victory, if you prepare for that, then I believe that you can do something special.”

United face Chelsea at Wembley at 13:30 on Sunday 18th May, with full coverage here on FromTheSpot.