15 May 2023 , 15:13
1107
0
Manchester United boss Marc Skinner has issued a plea to the club's ownership for continued investment to ensure they're able to bridge the gap to teams like Chelsea.
The Red Devils made history on Sunday as they contested their first ever Women's FA Cup final but, despite a promising first half, they fell short against Emma Hayes ' side. Sam Kerr found the back of the net in the second half to clinch a third consecutive FA Cup trophy for the London club.
In the league, United are locked in a fixating title battle with two games to go, although Chelsea do have a game in hand. Skinner 's side must win their remaining games if they're to clinch Champions League football next season or - better yet - end the Blues' three-year dominance in the WSL.
Chelsea's victory at Wembley on Sunday shows there's still a way to go before the gap is fully closed between themselves and up and coming teams like United. Following the defeat in the final, Skinner highlighted the need for continued investment from the Manchester club's owners.
"We've got a lot of catching up to do," he said. "We're five seasons old. But even today, the experience will help us in bigger games. Chelsea are doing exceptionally well and they're great champions, so I'm not taking anything away from them.
Earps reacts to FIFA Best nomination and on season so far with Man Utd
"I think we can achieve that in the future. I'm not scared to say that."
Mary Earps of Manchester United & her team-mates look dejected at the end of the Vitality Women's FA Cup Final match against Chelsea (Photo by Charlotte Tattersall - MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images)He continued: "We are growing and we're investing. The experience that Chelsea have and the investment they've put in over years and years, it's a factor as to why they win. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that. I feel we are bridging gaps, even when we're not spending their type of budget.
"I think we can show a sustainable way of doing it. But look, we need to keep getting the best players and we need to keep being in the pool for the best players. The last two games will go a long way to helping us do that if we can get into the Champions League. This is the club that you want to come to if you’re top talent, this is the club that’s going places."
United will take on local rivals Manchester City this Sunday before they face Liverpool away on the final day of the season. Just six points currently separate United in first and City in fourth as a nail-biting end to the domestic campaign awaits.