Manchester United manager Marc Skinner insisted it “won’t be long before we’re being talked about in the elite” after the Red Devils hammered Tottenham 4-0 to lift their first-ever Women’s FA Cup trophy.
Ella Toone, Rachel Williams and Lucia Garcia (twice) scored the goals that ensured United were able to right the wrongs of last season’s final, when they lost 1-0 to Chelsea in the final.
Skinner believes a first FA Cup title shows the Red Devils’ continued growth in the women’s game and said the part-takeover of the club by INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe has given a new “energy” at the club.
Skinner said: “I’m happy with the job that I’m doing at Man United. If we believe we should be winning everything every second, we’re not in the right [frame of mind].
“We’re not happy with where we will finish in the league, but to be history-makers for this club means more than ‘relief’. I held back tears.”
The 41-year-old added: “It [the new era at United under INEOS] has just been really exciting with the energy it’s driving. It won’t be long before we’re being talked about in the elite.
“Before the game, I felt we were in a really good space. I felt out players were ready. They had a business job to do. I wanted to start fast. I wanted to disrupt their [Tottenham’s] rhythm.”
Skinner said of Toone’s opener: “An iconic moment, iconic player, iconic club. But I want to give Tottenham a lot of credit for the run that they’ve had, the season they’ve had. If they use it like we used it last year, it will serve them well.”
United goalkeeper Mary Earps said: “Last year, we spoke as a group and said one day that [the FA Cup] would be ours. Today is the day, so I’m buzzing. I thought we played really well, dealt with the heat, and I’m so glad we can celebrate in front of our fans today on a beautiful day.”
