How light is Marc Skinner's Man Utd squad? | OneFootball

Second-place Manchester United had just five substitutes to choose from in their 2-0 WSL win over local rivals at the weekend – raising further alarms over the squad depth.

Indeed, considering the Red Devils are set to begin their first ever Champions League proper campaign it's hard to imagine how Skinner will be able to keep his team fresh fighting in two competitions with FA Cup and League Cup games still to come later in the season.

But are concerns overblown? Playmaker takes a closer look...

Skinner's five-player bench was made up of backup goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel as well as Gabrielle George, Lisa Naalsund, Celine Bizet Dønnum, and Rachel Williams with all four outfield players coming on in the second half.

Six first team players were absent at the weekend out of a senior squad of 22 in total.

Anna Sandberg was missing due to illness, Simi Awujo and Leah Galton are still recovering from injuries with neither featuring this season. We also still don't know the extent to Millie Turner's injury, although it is feared that it could be a long lay-off.

Meanwhile, Hannah Blundell is still returning to fitness after giving birth while third-choice goalkeeper Kayla Rendell was also not involved.

Indeed, both Blundell and Rendell were playing the day before Sunday's clash with Liverpool in St Helens.

The first team pair featured for the U21s away to third third-tier Stoke City in the FA Women's National League Cup with Blundell playing just over an hour. Also involved in that 3-2 defeat to the Potters were the young trio of Mared Griffiths (who scored in that game), Jess Anderson, and Scarlett Hill, who have all been on the bench in recent weeks.

That then gives us a total of nine Manchester United players who were unavailable to make the bench – a less alarming figure.

Of course, while the microscope is forever on United as an institution, the senior hierarchy shouldn't be left off the hook.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's ambivalence to the women's team is well-established but the recruitment behind the scenes has been excellent. Mary Earps, Alessia Russo, Katie Zelem, Lucía García, and more were high-profile exits yet the club have managed to replace, and in some cases improve, upon those departures.

This season, Julia Zigiotti Olme looks like an excellent signing, already striking up an exciting midfield partnership with Hinata Miyazawa, while Fridolina Rolfö offers plenty of experience and Jess Park has looked an exciting addition.

Still, Marc Skinner would have preferred not to have ended the game with Zigiotti filling it at right-back.

It's defence that is of biggest concern for the Red Devils. Turner's injury leaves only Maya Le Tissier and Dominique Janssen as established centre-backs, with George a potential third choice.

Blundell's return will be welcome with Riviere often on the receiving end of fouls due to her enterprising play style with Bizet Dønnum the player likely to fill in that role, although the Norwegian's talents are better served further forward. Left back meanwhile has far more depth with George, Sandberg, Blundell, Galton, and Rolfö all capable of playing in that position.

So, while talk of Skinner 'sending a message' to the board, as Carla Ward said at the weekend is not entirely accurate, a January signing of at least one new centre-back is a must for United should they continue to fight on multiple fronts.

Fans will be keeping fingers crossed that the club can avoid any further injuries until then.