“We lost it on moments” – Skinner laments United’s flaws in Women’s League Cup final defeat | OneFootball

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner believed his side lost the Women’s League Cup to Chelsea “on moments”, dismissing the idea the Blues outplayed them as they lifted the trophy courtesy of a 2-0 win at Wembley.

In their first Women’s League Cup final in their history, Manchester United kept defending champions Chelsea at bay before conceding a cheap goal with Lauren James pouncing on an individual error by centre-back Dominique Janssen.

After scooping the domestic treble last term, The Blues’ experience at winning silverware shone through as Agnes Beever-Jones extended the lead in the 77th minute, even though United were not swiftly swept aside.

United boss, Skinner, drew comparisons to when his side narrowly missed out on a second major trophy in last season’s 2-1 FA Cup final loss to Chelsea.

He said: “I think that’s the difference between these games for us. We’re losing these, I remember last year, the FA Cup final, we lost it on moments, we lost it on a penalty before half-time, a free-kick, and then obviously the last one was a counter attack.

“I don’t think they’ve beaten us today. In terms of the result they’ve beaten us, but I don’t think they outplayed us by any means.”

Although Sonia Bompastor’s decorated career in management would have made it hard to topple the Blues from the outset, Skinner insisted his side were not tentative.

“Someone said to me the other day, ‘Do we fear Chelsea?’ There’s no fear”, he said. “You don’t play the way we played through the thirds if you fear playing against Chelsea.”

Nonetheless, he lamented a lack of aggression when defending, particularly highlighting the space afforded to Chelsea talisman James, who scored the opening goal in this contest against her former club.

He added: “There’s some block we need to unlock in both boxes. I think we know how good Lauren James is as a player, but I think we gave her a little bit too much respect today.

“She can play left and right feet. And you have to go the extra distance, and risk the fact that she could beat you, if you’re going to go toe-to-toe.

“And I think we were just doing too many moments in this game, and I’ll reflect on it, where I felt there’s times to be cautious, and there’s times to be aggressive.

“I felt we got that balance wrong in some of those moments. And I think if you make her quiet, you can keep Chelsea quiet a little bit.”

This lack of conviction was mirrored in United’s offensive play, according to Skinner’s admissions in his post-match press conference.

Chelsea were plagued by defensive injuries before proceedings got underway at Ashton Gate, but Nathalie Bjorn’s unfortunate injury less than five minutes after coming on forced Bompastor to assemble a makeshift back four with a slender one-goal lead.

The Red Devils had the opportune time to raise their intent and take the shackles off. However, they did not manage to exploit their opponent’s weakened defensive unit and this immediately backfired.

“Now they’ve got a makeshift right-back, (Sjoeke) Nusken who’s more than a competent player”, Skinner said. “But we have to attack the side, and then we go and concede a goal. And it’s poor again. A poor goal from us as a collective.

“It’s against Chelsea that we don’t produce the moments of clarity that we need, when we’re trying to score goals. But I don’t want to blame, it’s not blame, it’s actually just clarity in the moment.”

With his current deal expiring in June 2027, the option for an extra year may be denied if United are unable to reap the rewards those committed to the growing project under Skinner are now expecting.

He said: “We have to stop getting closer and just be there and above. I think that’s where we have to be in the next couple of seasons. But that’s what I challenge my players.”

They are on course to pipping Arsenal and Chelsea to the superior Champions League qualification spot, while Manchester City’s cushion at the WSL summit seems too great to overcome.

Buoyed by additions made in January, they had not lost a game this calendar year, until the last two cup meetings with Chelsea. A historic European campaign remains in reach, too.

This uninspiring defeat in Bristol may epitomize their shortcomings, but they must not let their recent setbacks see them falter.