Man Utd’s Skinner on Bayern Loss: Squad Depth & Tough Fixture Run
Old Trafford witnessed a compelling, if ultimately frustrating, first leg in the Women’s Champions League quarterfinal as Manchester United fell 3-2 to Bayern Munich on . While a spirited performance saw United twice level the score, a late goal from Momoko Tanikawa leaves them with an uphill battle in the second leg in Munich.
The match began poorly for the hosts, with Bayern taking the lead inside the opening two minutes. Former Chelsea forward Pernille Harder capitalized on a long ball from Arianna Caruso, outpacing Maya Le Tissier and slotting the ball past Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Manager Marc Skinner acknowledged the early setback but praised his team’s resilience in fighting back.
United responded through a penalty, awarded after Lea Schüller’s cutback was handled by Glodis Viggosdottir. Le Tissier, initially caught out on Harder’s opening goal, confidently converted the spot-kick. The equalizer injected energy into the home side, but Bayern continued to pose a threat on the counter-attack.
Hanna Lundkvist then place United ahead with a well-placed header, only for Harder to strike again, demonstrating Bayern’s clinical efficiency in transitioning from midfield to attack. The Danish international’s two goals highlighted Bayern’s ability to exploit space and punish United’s defensive vulnerabilities.
However, it was Tanikawa who ultimately proved decisive, scoring the winning goal in the 84th minute. The goal underscored a critical difference between the two sides: squad depth. While Hinata Miyazawa, fresh off an Asian Cup triumph with Japan, started for United, Tanikawa was held back on the bench by Bayern, allowing her to enter the game with fresh legs and make a significant impact.
Skinner pointed to this disparity as a key factor. “We’ve played the most football in Europe this year, and we’ve got a really small squad right now, so it will challenge us,” he explained. “It will capture us to the depths. But the carrot is there for us.”
The manager defended his team’s approach, countering suggestions that a more conservative strategy might have been prudent. “There are two mistakes in there from us,” Skinner stated. “If you get pressure on the ball, you can’t play the long ball. They tried it a few times and played the ball out of play. It worked for them tonight but if I stop those two chances, they don’t score.” He emphasized that execution at the highest level is paramount, and that lapses in concentration were ultimately costly.
The defeat is compounded by a demanding schedule for United. They face a crucial Women’s Super League clash against league leaders Manchester City at Old Trafford on , before traveling to Munich for the second leg on . This quick turnaround presents a significant physical and mental challenge for Skinner’s squad.
Despite the difficulties ahead, Skinner remains optimistic. “We expect it to be difficult. You can kind of trench your mind into what you must do,” he said. “That’s why my players are at Manchester United. If they didn’t want to do it, they wouldn’t be at this club. They’re going to give it absolutely everything.”
Bayern coach Jose Barcala anticipates a fierce response from United in the second leg, predicting a “really aggressive high press.” His team prepared for this possibility, focusing on exploiting the space behind United’s defense – a tactic that proved successful in both of Harder’s goals.
The second leg at the Allianz Arena promises to be a captivating encounter. United will need to replicate their fighting spirit and improve their defensive solidity to overcome the narrow deficit and keep their Champions League dream alive. The lack of squad depth, however, remains a significant concern, and Skinner will need to carefully manage his players’ workload in the coming days to ensure they are fit and ready for the challenge.
The outcome of the tie will not only determine which team advances to the semi-finals but also provide a valuable indication of Manchester United’s progress on the European stage. Skinner’s assessment that the first leg “given us a taste” of what is required in Munich suggests a determined effort to address the shortcomings exposed at Old Trafford. The question now is whether they have the resources and resilience to deliver.