The former Manchester United striker that Marc Skinner will be wary of this weekend | OneFootball

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Manchester United English head coach Marc Skinner stands for the national anthem during the English Women’s FA Cup final football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium, in north west London, on May 12, 2024. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester United travel to face Leicester City in the Barclays Women’s Super League this weekend.

It will mean a reunion with Rachel Williams, who joined the Foxes during the transfer window after four years with United.

And on Thursday, United head coach Marc Skinner enthused about Williams – now 38 years old – as well as Leicester City’s experienced manager Rick Passmoor.

“I have so much respect for Rick, so much respect, not only now what he’s doing at Leicester, but obviously known him a long time,” said Skinner, “so I know how Rick’s team set up and how difficult they are to play against, but also have that attacking quality to hurt you, especially as a face not so distant to us has just gone there. There’s a lot of love for Rachel as well, we know how dangerous she can be.”

“Rachel Williams made the right decision”

He added: “We hate playing against Rach because of the quality she has. But the reality is that at her stage of her career, to go to a home club where her family are around supporting to get an extended contract was the right decision at that time.

“We were bringing in Lea [Schuller] and obviously Ellen [Wangerheim] into the front line, it was really important that we still look after people. It’s a hard bargain to strike, but we’re trying to strike it as best we can.

“But for Rachel to do that, I think it’s still romance still left in football, and hopefully we can keep her contained on the weekend because, as I say, she’s a real threat.”

Marc Skinner: Manchester United must be focused

United currently sit second in the WSL table, with Leicester City tenth, and Skinner says his team need to stay focused on the immediate challenge rather than getting distracted with the upcoming fixtures.

“We’ve got to be ready. I said to our players, ‘Don’t look too far ahead. This is your sole focus right now. I know we’ve got Champions League on the horizon, but the games between here, if you want to compete in the league and try and stay as high up as possible, we’ve got to do our job to its most effect in this game.’

“And that’s what I’m looking forward to doing.

“We’ve been brilliant this first part of the year, so it’s now time to continue that form.”