Manchester United boss Marc Skinner admitted he is looking to learn from his side’s title rivals when it comes to dealing with setbacks following a disappointing goalless draw with Aston Villa.
United moved back ahead of rivals Manchester City to sit in the third and final Champions League place, ahead of City by one point having played an extra game.
But Skinner would have seen a trip to ninth-placed Villa as a chance to earn maximum points and despite the best efforts of Leah Galton and Ella Toone, the visitors were unable to find a breakthrough to put their push for a European spot in doubt.
"We were the better team, but better in terms of trying to attack the game,” Skinner said. "We’re challenging at this moment where we are and we’re going against three established clubs who have done it for a period of time.
"What they’ve had a chance to do is challenge the mentality – when they’ve played big games and had to win them, and they’ve lost them, they learn from them. That’s what we’ll do.
"Today, we should have won this game, no doubt about it, and credit to Aston Villa for not losing the game, but it’s on us tonight."
It took just two minutes for United to create their first chance when Galton teed up Toone, but her shot did not have enough power to beat Villa goalkeeper Sian Rogers.
Toone then played Martha Thomas through on goal but Rogers stood strong to make a good save before Anita Asante blocked Toone’s follow-up on the line.
Galton set up Toone late on but Rogers was more than a match for the forward’s mishit attempt to earn her team a deserved point.
Skinner added: "Villa defended relatively well – we didn’t give them too much to worry about, especially in the second half when we were the ones trying to take the ball and make the goals.
"It’s a frustrating result, but another great growing experience we’ve got to learn from, which we will, I’ve got no doubt about that.
United have two more chances to fight for their Champions League spot, facing West Ham United next weekend before ending the season against defending champions Chelsea.
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