19 February 2024 , 10:08
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Manchester United boss Marc Skinner stressed the importance of INEOS investment after his side’s 3-1 loss to Arsenal, which leaves the Red Devils seven points off the European spots in an increasingly disappointing season.
A feckless first-half saw United chasing Arsenal early on as the hosts went three goals clear before half-time, the first arriving within 10 minutes as Katie McCabe’s corner deflected off Geyse from close range. The woes were exacerbated as a ramshackle United defence struggled to offer a riposte to Arsenal’s attack and a poor clearance from Katie Zelem was eventually turned in by a rampaging Cloe Lacasse.
And Arsenal captain Kim Little compounded the sense of suffering as she converted from the spot after defender Gemma Evans took Beth Mead down in the area.
Despite improvements in the second-half, the deficit proved too great as United left north London with only an injury time goal from Lucia Garcia to show for their journey as the gap to the European spots swelled to seven points.
The current reality is a far cry from that of last season, in which a blistering United pushed eventual league champions Chelsea to the final day of the season and reached the Women’s FA Cup final.
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And Skinner, who has come under increasing criticism for his side’s laggard form, believes the day’s result was a frank reflection of where the club currently stands in comparison to the league’s other top sides, hinting that increased investment from INEOS will be needed to change those circumstances.
"It's probably where we were coming into the game," Skinner told Sky Sports . "We have to be perfect in the big games, especially in a stadium like this with the fans. We weren't like that in the first half, we were better in the second. There's a lot to be excited about at Manchester United. INEOS coming in will help, but it's where we are today. It hurts, but it's where we are.
Marc Skinner has come under increasing scrutiny this season (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)"The goals we conceded are just not good enough. The corner comes in and it looks like an own goal, a penalty we give away and a clearance which falls to the head of Lacasse who scores it. You can't concede those goals.
"We've got to chase. This league is getting more competitive, and we as a group of people, as a team, must make sure we are in every game. We've got to chase - that's our job. Even if we'd have won, we'd be chasing."
England midfielder Zelem issued her own damning indictment of Saturday’s performance.
"That was our chance to get back into the top three race and that's very difficult now," she said afterwards. "I think it's three cheap goals. It's three goals that are definitely preventable, but to be honest I don't think we deserved to win today.
"I don't think you can pick one area, we didn't play our own game. We didn't get hold of the ball, we weren't tight enough out of possession. We really need to reflect on that game. 3-0 down at half time, you've got a mountain to climb. To score three goals in one half is pretty much impossible. We gave it a good go but our first half wasn't good enough."
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