Marc Skinner rues Manchester United lapses in Wolfsburg’s WCL rampage | OneFootball

Manchester United succumbed to the first defeat of their inaugural Women’s Champions League campaign, a result that sent Stephan Lerch’s side above United into third in the table.

The temperature in Wolfsburg may have been close to freezing but the players on the pitch did their bit to warm up the 3,817 spectators in the stadium. Five first-half goals raised the dial as momentum swung before the hosts opened up a gap after the break.

Marc Skinner was left to rue his side’s defensive lapses in concentration. The timing of the goals and the errors in the buildup seemed to frustrate him the most, particularly after a strong start.

“I think the stats sum it up,” the United manager said. “Six shots on target, five goals. They’ve been clinical but, really, we’ve given them the game… there’s not much more I can say. It’s gut-wrenching to concede five, especially in the way that we have.”

Despite taking a sucker punch from Manchester City last Saturday, United’s Champions League endeavours have been impressive. There are not, however, many sides with as much European pedigree as Wolfsburg and United soon learned how clinical the two-time champions can be.

Much has been made of the lack of depth in this United squad. Accumulating fatigue has become more apparent after a challenging fortnight and there is no doubt the squad is threadbare.

Skinner is acutely aware of the need for reinforcements if his side are going to rediscover their early form. “Recruitment is key,” he said. “We’re going to be grafting in this [international] window to get players in for January because we need to add to this team. I think that’s clear.”

Skinner did freshen things up with Melvine Malard, Fridolina Rolfö and Simi Awujo all returning. It was a slight surprise that Jess Park was on the bench but the 24-year-old has accumulated a lot of minutes recently. In goal Safia Middleton‑Patel remained in place of Phallon Tullis‑Joyce, who has a fractured eye socket.

United started the brightest and, in the 14th minute, Malard broke down the left and lifted her head before producing a sublime cross that fell perfectly for Rolfö. The Swede nodded home against her former club for her third goal in as many WCL appearances.

A goalkeeping error, however, let the hosts back in immediately. This was only Middleton-Patel’s fourth senior appearance for United but it will be one she will want to forget. She attempted to clear her lines but passed it straight to Ella Peddemors to fire home.

The game sparked into life as the first half drew to a close. There were three goals in the space of 10 minutes. Peddemors got her second, driving in a low shot from distance, before Lineth Beerensteyn rifled a sublime effort into the top corner.

Just as United looked done and dusted, they pulled a goal back. Malard read the Wolfsburg defensive line perfectly to hook in a finish with the last kick of the half.

After the break Wolfsburg put their foot on the gas as United struggled to make an impact. They found the cushion they sought as the electric Beerensteyn scored her second before Endemann added a fifth in stoppage time. The result epitomised just how tight this stage is. It was undoubtedly a disappointing night for Skinner’s team, but they will know they still have so much to play for when the competition resumes next month.

Header image: [Photograph: Ronny Hartmann/AFP/Getty Images]