Club action returns this weekend as Manchester United host Championship side Durham in the fifth round of the Vitality Women's FA Cup.
Although they're a second-tier side, United have faced the Wildcats once already this season after the pair met in the Continental Cup. The Reds lost 3-1 on penalties after the scores were level at 2-2 at full-time, with Jessica Clarke cancelling out Jade Moore's opener before Sarah McFadden scored in the dying embers of the game after Vilde Boe Risa had given United the lead.
Manager Marc Skinner said of Sunday's clash: “We know just how much of an advantage Durham had at home; the crowd, the energy of the crowd, the pitch, the energy that that team have, it's a difficult place to go, it just is.
“Durham will still have all of the same threats that they had in the last game which are some really wonderful delivery qualities and set-piece threat, pace on the counter-attack, so I'm very aware of all of that but we're at home and it is a little bit different.
“If you look at our record at home it is exceptional, it's a real fortress for us so we’re hoping we can use that to benefit us in this game but I don’t underestimate any opponent.”
United beat Sunderland 2-1 at the Eppleton Colliery Football Ground in the last round of the competition. The pitch conditions that day were considered sub-par and despite managing 21 shots at goalkeeper Claudia Moan, the Reds had to rely on two Nikita Parris strikes to secure the win.
Durham come into the game on the back of a 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace before the international break having been unable to recover from Annabel Blanchard’s goal in the 63rd minute. The Wildcats had beaten the Eagles just two weeks prior in a 3-0 victory to progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup.
United are in top form this season and are on a 10-game unbeaten run heading into the fixture, with Skinner's side sitting top of the Women’s Super League after the dramatic 2-1 win over Tottenham before the international break. All the game's action came within a dramatic 13-minute spell, including Ella Toone’s red card.
She retaliated to Eveliina Summanen’s challenge, though her ban has since been overturned, something Skinner was obviously delighted about. “I’m absolutely delighted that the right decision was made but the game is done and dusted, whatever has happened now has happened but I'm delighted that we have Ella available," he said.
January signings Lisa Naalsund and Jayde Riviere are still not in contention to feature at the weekend, although the Norwegian midfielder isn't far off. Skinner added: “Everybody will hopefully come back from the international experience in a good fit manner, but what's really positive is Lisa was training with the team yesterday [Tuesday], it was her first session with the team, she's looking like she's in a really good space.
"She's looking really good, exactly like I thought she would, where it’s energy box-to-box and physicality, so hopefully we can see her sooner rather than later. But Jayde’s not quite there yet.”
United host Durham at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday, February 26 with kick-off scheduled for 12pm.
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 now from
reachsportshop.com/https://reachsportshop.com/book/our-year-european-champion-2022/
