The Manchester United player who surprised Marc Skinner with her Women’s FA Cup performance against Burnley | OneFootball

Layla Drury (screengrab)

Sixteen-year-old Layla Drury made her debut and scored her first goal for Manchester United in their 5-0 Women’s FA Cup win against Burnley on Sunday.

And even head coach Marc Skinner was a little bit surprised by what he saw.

“When she was introduced to us, probably six months ago, we just looked her and thought, ‘You’ve got high level,’” he said, according to the club’s official website. “I think to be at an elite level, you have to have speed of thought or speed of movement. She has both of those. But she was ready and it’s her entry ticket to senior-level football.

“Look at the way she invades [space]. Just watch her goal, she waits, waits, times [the run] and goes. That’s perfect. I was actually surprised by the finish, it was really nice. First time to take it, instinctive.”

Drury had been part of the matchday squad for United’s Subway Women’s League Cup quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur as well as the Women’s Super League match against Arsenal, but had not got on the pitch.

And she came on in the 66th minute, with her side already 4-0 up thanks to goals from Maya Le Tissier, Julia Zigiotti Olme, Simi Awujo and Lea Schuller.

Marc Skinner: Our display wasn’t flawless

Skinner was overall pleased with his team’s professional performance and a solid result – but he reminded them there is still more to do.

“It wasn’t flawless by any means,” he went on. “We could have been more aggressive, but we were facing a block. It’s hard to beat a block, I thought Burnley did that really well, they were compact [and] made us work.”

He added: “Lots of positives and I’m happy that we’re progressing into the next round with a performance like that.”

United’s next match is on Wednesday as they face Arsenal in the semi-final of the Subway Women’s League Cup.