Manchester United ’s Alessia Russo seized her second league game-winner over Arsenal this season to secure an historic double for her side, but the England forward’s involvement in the heavyweight title clash was in doubt in the days leading up to Wednesday evening.
A low-quality first-half punctuated by few chances and critical injuries to Arsenal was injected with some sense of decorum on the stroke of half-time as Russo coolly converted Nikita Parris’ cut back pass from the right beyond Arsenal keeper Manuela Zinsberger.
Russo’s lone goal, her 11th of the season, would prove decisive as Marc Skinner’s side completed a first-ever double over their title rivals with a 1-0 victory, becoming only the third side in history to execute the feat.
And in the afterglow, Skinner revealed that Russo’s involvement in the game at any scale was in heavy doubt due to the forward suffering from illness throughout the week and the eve of the clash, but Russo refused to be left out.
“Russo was ill overnight with a sickness bug but her hunger for the game was what made us start her,” Skinner revealed.
“She was telling me she really needed to play in this game and the goal was a real moment of hunger from her and showed why she needed to be in the starting line-up.”
Victory on Wednesday night sees United retain their place at the top of the WSL title with just five matches remaining in a heady title race. United are currently six points clear of Arsenal and four points clear of Chelsea, albeit with the latter touting two games in hand.
And Skinner praised his side's gritty resilience in a match he admitted neither side looked up to their best, citing a tangible marker of improvement from prior seasons as United cut themselves elite competitors in England.
Still, Skinner refused to be drawn into any title race conversation, insisting that United’s race for a first-ever WSL title is “between us and us”, though he did voice his confidence in United’s clean sheet record (12) and goal difference (38) as poising his side nicely for an inevitably blistering end to the season.
“What’s massively important is that it’s another cleansheet," he said.
“I think that’s 12 for the season and that is huge. If you are going to win a championship you have to keep cleansheets."
United return to WSL action on 28 April as they host Aston Villa, while one eye will be on United's FA Cup final clash with reigning champions Chelsea at Wembley on 14 May.
NEW! Our Year: European Champions 2022 - The Official England Winners Book
With a foreword by England manager Sarina Wiegman, this is the only official book of the historic triumph, reliving every kick of a thrilling tournament and telling the stories of the players who made it all happen.
Order from https://reachsportshop.com/book/our-year-european-champion-2022/
