Manchester United want to be where Chelsea are, manager Marc Skinner said after his side lost in their first women’s grand final.
Skinner’s side created plenty of chances but lacked the killer touch – something he says they will soon learn.
“We want to be where they were today, so that’s what we’ll strive for,” he said.
“There will be a lot to take away. We started well and given that Chelsea have been to many finals, we look like the team that have been to many finals as well.
“We were composed. It’s a different type of game in a final and you have to play with more maturity. We like to play possession-based football and sometimes you can’t do that. So I felt we have matured today.”
While for Chelsea it was their third consecutive FA Cup triumph and fifth overall, United had never played at Wembley before.
Chelsea won their first Women’s FA Cup in 2015 – three years before United’s women’s team was even established.
Skinner, however, believes his team have proven they are quick learners and it will only be a matter of time before they win the major trophies.
‘We will be back again’
“If anyone thinks we’re leaving, then we’re not,” he said.
“These are moments that must be won. We have shown ourselves well. We will come back, I have no doubt about it.
“There will always be regrets if you don’t win a game, but I think the girls were great. It was their first final. I can’t look back and think negatively of them.
“We have to score those chances in the first half. If we do, I think Chelsea have to open up and we can get behind them. We handled the game pretty well and I’m proud of them all.”
Kerr’s goal – his fifth in Chelsea’s three successive cup wins – secures a continuation of United’s poor record against the Blues.
In 10 meetings since 2019, Chelsea have won nine with one draw.
“I remember sitting at the end of the Chelsea game last year in the league and saying how much it hurt,” Skinner said.
“We had some good chances where we probably have to score them and then Kerr has that chance and scores it.
“Her movement is great but if you keep her in front of the line it is difficult for her to score. We shut down for a while and left a straight ball in our centre.
“We knew the threat was coming – it’s the biggest threat they have – and we switched off and that’s what world-class players do, they punish you.”
“It always looks like a penalty to me”
United started strongest and had the ball in the net after just 23 seconds when Leah Galton fired home – only for Ella Toone to be flagged offside in the build-up.
They also shouted loudly for a penalty in first-half stoppage time, when Niamh Charles appeared to have fouled Nikita Parris in the box.
However, it was given as a free-kick after VAR – first used in an English women’s club game here – ruled Parris’ back leg was out of the box when caught by Charles . Skinner insisted that “it still feels like a penalty to me”.
Despite all the disappointment of defeat in their first major final, United still have a lot to play for. They lead the WSL by a point – however, second-placed Chelsea have a game in hand.
If the Blues win their remaining three games, they win the double. United must be on standby for any slippage.
Yet for Skinner, even if those slip-ups don’t happen this season, United are ready to take the next step.
“We are growing and investing, but Chelsea’s experience and the investment they have made over the years is a factor,” he said. “You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure this out – but we’re filling in the gaps.
“We must continue to be in the group for the best players. This is the club you want to come to if you are a great talent. It is a club that moves.”
