Marc Skinner confirms devastating Anna Sandberg injury blow ahead of Atletico Madrid clash | OneFootball

Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner has confirmed that defender Anna Sandberg will be sidelined for up to eight weeks with a knee injury.

Skinner spoke to reporters ahead of United’s Champions League play-off second leg tie with Atletico Madrid on Thursday.

United in the driving seat

United will head into the meeting at the Progress with Unity Stadium with a healthy 3-0 advantage, having put Atletico to the sword in the reverse fixture last week.

The Reds ran riot in Spain, with goals from Elisabeth Terland, Melvine Malard and Julia Zigiotti Olme securing them the victory and ensuring they have one foot into the last eight.

Sandberg started the game but she was forced off at half-time with what was initially believed to be a calf issue. Now, Skinner has confirmed that it is actually a knee injury and the Swede could be out for up to eight weeks as she recovers.

Skinner’s remarks

The United boss told journalists, “There’s a little bit of a tidy up that needs to be done around Anna’s meniscus. From the time frame we’ve been given, the best is four, the middle is six and obviously the worst case is eight.”

“If it was eight, she would probably be back three or four games before the end of the season.”

“We’re hopeful we can get it to six but won’t take any risk. She’s a young player so we’ll make sure she’s rehabbed effectively.”

Skinner also issued updates on Jayde Riviere, Fridolina Rolfo and Terland. Terland will not be available to face Atletico due to illness. Meanwhile, there is a chance that Riviere and Rolfo will be included in the matchday squad but it’s not guaranteed.

Despite holding a 3-0 aggregate lead, Skinner insisted that he and his players would approach the game as if the score were still 0-0.

“There’s no balance. We have to go to win the game. Atletico showed their quality in the first leg. I felt we were ruthless when we needed to be.”

“It was a difficult pitch for both teams so we expect a slightly different game, but reality is we are preparing to go and win. We have to give absolutely everything.”

“There’s only one game that matters and that’s that game tomorrow so if you win it you’re guaranteed to go through, so that’s the mindset. There isn’t any 3-0, not the cliche but it’s 0-0 and we have to start the game properly.”

He continued, “We have a good lead, but we’re not complacent here… we don’t do complacency. We find ways to win. That’s what my team do fantastically well.”

“In order to stay away from complacency, you must have process, you must have a focus, and really that’s what we’ll be running on. This is how you beat them, we know how to do it, think logically and don’t get drawn into an emotional game.”

Asked whether United are being underestimated in the Champions League, Skinner answered, “If they are, I hope they continue to do so. I just don’t think anyone would like to play us because we are unpredictable in the way that we play. If you do one thing to try and stop us, we try and do something else to try and counteract that.”

“I believe we are a team that believes in each other and that we have the strongest team spirit. We want to represent at this stage, we want to be in the knock out stages, that’s why we’re here. I said that to the girls this morning and they say it back to me every time.”

“We’re not here to just play at it, we’re here to try and take people on, so long may that continue and hopefully if we can progress in this game, we play Bayern and that will be another fantastic time.”

Recognising that Atletico have no choice but to come out on the front foot, Skinner called on his side to stay composed and make the most of the space they are given, insisting they must be ruthless in front of goal.

Featured image Michael Campanella via Getty Images

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