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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Louise Wilkes

Marc Skinner explains how he's helping Manchester United to reach their full potential

Marc Skinner has opened up on how he's unlocking the potential in his Manchester United squad this season after being forced to settle for a draw in the Manchester derby.

The Reds had the edge in the first half of Sunday's clash but the Blues came back stronger in the second 45, securing a 1-1 draw in their final Women’s Super League action of 2022.

United have previously struggled against City but went into the game above their rivals in the WSL table, and thanks to the point earned at the weekend they will remain ahead of City at Christmas. Skinner suggested something is different about this United team following their latest impressive showing.

"The reality is they've come off that field and not like last year where we might have had to defend for our lives for a large proportion of the game, they've come off actually and felt like, ‘No, we want to and we need to win that game’, so it's a really great mentality shift," he said after the game. “The result is probably the most negative from it.”

The Reds have started the season strongly having only been beaten once so far. When Skinner was asked what he brings to the team and how he has unlocked United’s potential since taking over in July 2021, he said: “I would hope they [the players] would say that I allow them to be themselves, that I'm a big believer in people, in that we give people the opportunity.

“I'm actually just a personal person who cares about people and that gets you a long way. If I can open the mind of the individual and allow them to be safe but vulnerable then it allows them, in a moment, just to actually accept the wonderful skillsets they have.

“And then it's about them developing that, knowing when to put barriers in the way they've got to psychologically jump. I think, honestly, since I've become a head coach, I think I'm actually changing more into management than head coaching - I think that's where the game is evolving.

“I just think it’s tuning into the individual's needs, paying attention, listening. We can all rule with an iron fist. It's easy, right? But then you never give the person an opportunity to grow because you're always telling them where they must be and what they must do.

"And hopefully you'll see my style come across more abundantly in coaching styles going forwards, because who are we to limit the opportunities and the people in front of us? Give them the platform and help them to build something special.”

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