MARC SKINNER believes Manchester United can use the pain of their Women’s FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea to propel them to glory.
And the Red Devils boss expects his team will need to use a mix of styles to beat Tottenham in this year’s final.
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The Wembley clash, which kicks off at 2.30pm today, will be the first time the teams have faced each other in a battle to win the trophy.
And the history of the World Cup will be made with both teams competing to win the competition for the first time in its 54-year history.
Skinner hopes it will be a case of second-time luck after Man United lost 1-0 to the Blues last May.
But although his team are seen as slight favourites, he warns they cannot underestimate the threat posed by Tottenham.
Reflecting on last year’s decision ahead of this year’s game, the United manager said: “We got to the final and lost to Chelsea and it was a bad moment for us because we wanted to win.
“You would be a fool to go in super, super confident that you are going to walk through this final because Tottenham are a very, very good team, especially in their day.
“They can beat anyone in the Women’s Super League.
“From my perspective, it’s about living in that space between where you’re confident and where you know what you can do.
“But you also have the pain of last year, which you need to overcome and make Tottenham feel.
“If we put that mentality into practice in this game, I feel like we can be successful and that’s all we can plan for.
“We can plan for that performance and then look forward to that moment that we have learned from all of our experiences together.
“And if we do that, we hope to have a slight advantage over Tottenham in this game.”
This season, Man United are unbeaten in the league against Spurs, with results including a 4-0 victory last December.
However, Tottenham are unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions, including a 2-2 away draw against the Red Devils last month.
Skinner expects today’s game to involve utilizing a mixed approach to play on the field.
He adds: “There will be times in the final where if you are losing you have to throw caution to the wind and if you are winning you have to be more reserved.
“I think this game will have a little bit of everything for both teams.
“What we tried to do last season is increase the players’ understanding.
“I hope we are in a position where we can attack, but I think we will have to have a mix of styles.”
Today’s match will see several previous FA Cup winners in action, including Tottenham captain Bethany England.
The former Chelsea striker lifted the trophy twice with the Blues in 2021 and 2022.
And she has been in fine form for Tottenham, scoring a goal in five of their last seven games in all competitions.
Spurs manager Robert Vilahamn believes England’s influence and adaptability can play a crucial role for his team in today’s game.
The Tottenham manager said: “Bethany has now scored in a few games in a row.
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“And she is getting better and better in her performance on the field and also in different roles, sometimes as a winger, sometimes as a nine.
“Then there’s the leadership team, who she can bring onto that team to help people, to make sure they stay present and continue to do what we’re supposed to do.
“She is very important in that sense and it shows that this is why she gives us some things in the game when we need it most.”
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