26 January 2024 , 12:55
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Manchester United boss Marc Skinner vowed to use the increasing pressure against him as "fuel rather than run away" as calls for the 40-year-old's departure from the club escalate.
United have endured a turgid season thus far, with their historic Champions League campaign ended in the qualification stages while hopes for the title have been all but dashed following a sobering 3-1 loss to reigning league champions Chelsea courtesy of Lauren James' hat-trick.
The defeat at Stamford Bridge leaves United with three league defeats already this season. No team has ever claimed the title with more than two losses.
The weekend's woes were exacerbated following a 2-1 Conti Cup group stage loss against Manchester City, in which a last-gasp goal from Nikita Parris could only provide a dash of consolation for a second successive defeat in the new year.
And ahead of the Red Devils' WSL clash with Aston Villa, Skinner responded to increasing criticism from a disillusioned fanbase.
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"I genuinely mean this, there is no problem with pressure. It is part of the job. It does meant that amplifies at Manchester United, but so does the support. You can have it on both sides.
"Pressure is because everyone wants to do well and you can use it in certain ways. You can fear and run from it, or face it. We have to use it to fuel rather than run away."
Against Manchester City, a dearth in execution in front of goal undermined the positive play from United. Pressed on the missed opportunities, Skinner stressed a need to improve the team's mindset. "It's getting the headspace right to finish in the moment," he said. "We're getting into the moments and now we just have to take those chances."
Skinner has previously underlined the need for patience as an attack comprised of mostly new faces attempts to gel and acclimatise to a new environment. The departures of forward Alessia Russo and defender Ona Batlle upon the expiry of their contracts last summer have represented significant challenges.
Even so, the disparity between last season's historic season and the current one is stark.
Shouts for Marc Skinner to leave Manchester United have intensified following losses to Chelsea and Manchester City (James Gill - Danehouse)Following a sensational second-place finish which saw United push reigning league champions Chelsea to the final day of the season and earn an historic Champions League qualification berth, the Red Devils now sit 10 points adrift of the Blues and seven points off Arsenal and Manchester City.
The result has been chants levied at Skinner to leave United, the first most notably in the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool before the winter break. Next, as fans travelled to the club's winter training camp in Malta, in which a steward reportedly confronted fans about at half-time.
Against Chelsea, a lone but powerful 'Skinner Out' placard stole headlines.
Skinner has maintained that fans have the right to express their opinions at matches.
"The fans are absolutely entitled to do what they want," Skinner said previously. "We are never going to silence any fan from having their opinion. They pay their hard-earned money.
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"Never, ever, will we stop any fans having an opinion, they're absolutely entitled to. My job is to stay focused on what I want to achieve with this team and that is success."