United View: Skinner’s side maintains 100% record in the WSL

Manchester United delivered a comfortable 3-0 win on Sunday against Spurs, making it three wins in total this season, having yet to concede a goal in the Women’s Super League and scoring seven goals.

A late first-half brace from Elizabeth Terland gave the Reds plenty of breathing room after struggling to make trouble Spurs in the game's opening portion. However, two fantastic deliveries from former Spurs right-back, found Terland on both occasions to put United in a favourable position.

The game was settled in the second half when Maya Le Tissier scored from the spot following a handball in the box by Ashleigh Neville, adding to the Norwegian’s two goals.

Terland was signed in the Summer from Brighton & Hove Albion after scoring 13 goals in 22 games for the Seagulls in the 23/24 season. This was her first goal for the club after the Reds revitalised the playing squad over the summer.

Following the game, Skinner said he was not happy with his team’s performance but was positive about getting the result despite not playing up to the standards that he and the squad hold themselves towards.

“As a collective, we’ve won the game, we were clinical, some fantastic goals but I’m not happy with pur performance overall and that’s fair to say and I think that’s a good sign from a team. If you can win the game 3-0, another clean sheet, another three points and we still weren’t happy about how we did it.”

Despite winning the FA Cup last season, the first major silverware for the women’s side, United finished fifth in the WSL. A disappointing return following qualification for the Champions League in 22/23 and under the new INEOS ownership it was apparent a change-up was needed.

Marc Skinner remained as manager, a position he has held since 2021, with United losing the likes of Lucia Garcia, former captain Katie Zelem and goalkeeper Mary Earps over the summer. However, they made five permanent signings, including Simi Awujo from USC Trojans, Dominique Janssen from Wolfsburg, Anna Sandberg from BK Hacken, the aforementioned Elizabeth Terland and the permanent signing of Melvine Marland from Lyon after a loan spell with the club last season.

So far, things have gone to plan for United, with wins against West Ham and Everton in the league, along with a 2-0 victory over rivals Liverpool in the League Cup. They now sit in third, joint with Chelsea and behind Manchester City who have played one game more.

United next take on Brighton on Saturday, who sit just behind the Reds in fourth. A win would further cement Skinner’s side as competitors for the league as they look to do one better than their runners-up finish in 22/23 and dethrone Chelsea who have won the previous five WSL titles.