Marc Skinner confirms devastating Tullis-Joyce news but confirms two stars are fit for Wolfsburg | OneFootball

Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner has confirmed that Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s facial injury is worse than initially feared and the goalkeeper will be ruled our for a number of weeks.

Skinner also announced that Ella Toone and Simi Awujo are fit and available for selection as the team prepares to face Wolfsburg in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Skinner gives injury update

Tullis-Joyce missed United’s last two outings vs. Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City. In her absence, Safia Middleton-Patel was deployed between the sticks.

A report covered by The Peoples Person earlier this week relayed that Tullis-Joyce fractured her eye socket and would be sidelined for weeks as she recovers. Skinner suggested that the USWNT star could return for the Wolfsburg game, but now he has asserted that she will be sidelined for a while.

Skinner told reporters [as quoted by SheKicks], “There’s a small fracture. We’ll see from there, but we trust the quality of our players and our goalkeepers that are coming in. Phallon is a massive part of this team, of course she is, but the deputies are there to step in and stand up and be counted, and that’s why they’re at Manchester United.”

“What we’re expecting is, once we find the severity of [what Tullis-Joyce’s injury] will be, then hopefully we’re looking for a potential return after the international window. So it could be as soon as that side.”

“We just have to wait for the severity of it. I don’t believe it will be much longer than that. So hopefully we get some good news and we can see a return to the pitch ASAP.”

In a more positive update, Skinner revealed that Toone and Awujo are fine after knocks vs. City.

“Simi’s back to normal head size now. Ella’ s was just a bit sharp at the time, so they’re both available. It’s the same squad, really, that’s available. Everyone’s fine and fit and ready, and with the extra day as well, because obviously the Man City game is a two-day turnaround [from last week’s match against Paris Saint-Germain].”

“It’s a late evening and an early morning kick-off [on Saturday against City], so it’s a two-day turnaround really. We’ve had another extra day which gives the players just that focus and freshness to go into a big game.”

Skinner urges his players to be bold against Wolfsburg

United boast a 100% record in the Champions League so far, but they’re coming up against a side with pedigree in the competition, having won it multiple times.

However, Skinner has called on United to be unfazed vs. the She-Wolves and stars like Alexandra Popp.

The United boss remarked, “I believe in the team to be able to do that and I believe in the players. When you’re in this level of competition, you face many iconic forwards. Popp is one of the legends of the game in my opinion, so to see her qualities upfront and personal will be a challenge for us.”

“We are here for business and we want to make it as difficult as possible. These little romantic stories are a part of what makes the game beautiful but we have to approach it with no respect when we’re on the field. You give this team too much respect and they’ll hurt you.”

“We were good against Manchester City in moments but we just had to be a little bit better in both boxes, so hopefully, we can rectify that tomorrow against a fantastic team like Wolfsburg. We are really looking forward to it and the players are in great spirits. We’ve played really well up until this part of the season, so we are looking to put in a really good shift tomorrow and looking forward to gracing this beautiful stadium with a good performance.”

Wolfsburg vs. United kicks off at 8.45pm.

Featured image Michael Campanella via Getty Images

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