Nikita Parris warned her Man United teammates must be "more ruthless" after her side avoided a potential FA Cup banana skin at Sunderland.
United are in the hat for the last 16 after Parris scored twice in a 2-1 away victory at the Championship side. But Sunderland ensured United didn't have an easy afternoon at the office and threatened extra-time when Gabby Holmes' header levelled the tie.
The WSL leaders had plenty of chances but were wasteful in front of goal against the second-tier defence. But Parris proved the difference. The England forward scored her second goal of the afternoon with an emphatic finish in the 69th minute that settled the tie.
Parris, who will be hoping to do enough in the second half of the season to secure a World Cup squad place, was pleased to get through to the next round, but did add that United will have to be more ruthless going forward.
"We had to kill the game off in the first half (or face a nervy second-half)", she told Man Utd.com. "We had plenty of chances in that first half but we were just snatching at the ball.
"We were often trying to rocket the ball through about ten bodies and it wasn't quite working in that first half. In the second half we were better, we made them run, we created chances. And we just have to be more ruthless and pick out the right pass."
Rather than focus solely on her individual match-winning display, Parris was quick to praise her teammates as United overcame a resilient Sunderland side on a tricky pitch.
"I'm always happy to score goals for Manchester United," she added. "And perform well for Manchester United but the main thing is that we got the win.
"When you come to places like this in the FA Cup, the pitch always equals the game out. It wasn't the best pitch today at all and Sunderland made it hard.
"To break down a 5-4-1 team on a pitch like this is always going to be hard. You have to get your pass accurate, but we made it work in the second half.
"We were much better with the ball, we made them tired and that's where our goals came from."
Manager Marc Skinner agreed with Parris that United have to improve in front of goal, whilst adding that Sunderland gave his side a tough game and a good account of themselves.
"We've created so many chances today," he said. "But we have to show more composure and quality. The finish was often rushed.
"It is something we will work on, but also you don't often face the pitch being like this. The chances we have created, we have to put to bed.
"But Sunderland equipped themselves well. They tried to stop us and were aggressive in moments. They were a physical team, which we value.
"We did create chances in the box, but just didn't take them. We'll work on it and come back better next week, but it's about the result today and we've got the result."
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