06 March 2023 , 10:56
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Man United manager Marc Skinner still believes there is more come from his team despite hitting five in a comfortable win over Leicester City.
Skinner saw his team move three points clear at the top of the WSL, after the 5-1 win with star striker Alessia Russo hitting a hat-trick, before Leah Galton and substitute Leah Garcia added gloss to the scoreline. Relegation threatened Leicester but did briefly threaten a comeback after half-time when Remy Siemsen made it 2-1.
But United moved through the gears through the second-half, to secure a big win ahead of a huge clash with title holders Chelsea next week. Although they impressed in front of goal, Skinner did state that his team should have been more ruthless and believes Russo can still get even better despite her hat-trick.
"We had many more chances today we should have put away," said Skinner. "But the continued aggression we showed to try and win games of football was all I can ask from them.
"I'm really pleased with the five goals, but next time it has to be more. We just need to make sure we continue this through the next games.
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"We know she (Russo) is one of the best forwards in the country, what we're asking her to do is be more of a threat when we get those deliveries in and think more, think clearer. We want her to be more of a pest and a menace to the opponent.
"But she stayed alive quicker than anyone else, we saw that for her third goal and that is what she can do. We know she has wonderful technical ability, but we want more from her in that side of her game, because the majority of her goals will be scored in the penalty area.
Alessia Russo was back to her best with a hat-trick in the win over Leicester (Getty Images)"But I'm really pleased with her, congratulations to her today."
Russo hadn't scored for United since the first game back after the winter break on January 15 before last weeks' FA Cup win at Durham, but now has four goals in two games. She was the subject of a transfer saga at the end of the transfer window when Arsenal had a record bid turned down by United.
And now she is back amongst the goals, Skinner reaffirmed that he wants her to play a big part in his plans.
"Now the window has died down, we can get back to focus," he added. "She is an unbelievable talent and a big part of what we are trying to build here."
United are now four points clear of Chelsea and face the Blues next week at Kingsmeadow. It is potentially a defining game in the Red Devils' season, but Skinner insists they will continue to take it game-by-game.
"It's a big game (Chelsea) and everyone here knows it is a big game," he added. "But the reality is we only take things game-by-game anyway.
"Although the gap is four points and they have two games in hand, it means nothing. We have to go into this game with energy.
"When we played them last time we weren't ourselves and we've got to put that right. It'll be an excellent game I'm sure."
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