Match in Focus: Marc Skinner and Manchester United get their trophy

In the end, it wasn't a close contest, despite Marc Skinner's quotes beforehand stating his side wouldn't be red-hot favourites. On the day, United showed their extra experience and quality to win...

Manchester United got their hands on the Women’s FA Cup for the first time. Image: The FA

Manchester United and Marc Skinner finally have their trophy. Whether it will prove to be a turning point after a dismal season off the back of a positive 2022-23 campaign, it’s too early to tell, but it is at very least a reprieve Skinner was in desperate need of if he is to stay at the club beyond this month.

In the end, it was a simple match up, as United’s extra quality and experience counted over first-time finalists Tottenham Hotspur who didn’t offer enough until it was too late.

It had vibes of Skinner’s first final when Birmingham City were overawed by Manchester City, and when Matt Beard’s West Ham United befell to the same punishment a couple of years later against the same opponent.

Simply, it was just a step too far after a superb run to the final.

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It started reasonably evenly, but United always looked the bigger threat in front of goal, with the closest Tottenham came Bethany England’s header against the crossbar just after the score ticked over to 3-0.

From Leah Galton testing Becky Spencer early on, the new cup winners had the better opportunities, particularly from set-pieces which were a constant nuisance to Spurs and in the end one of the decisive factors in the outcome of the contest.

There will be plenty for both teams to take away from both the game and their individual cup runs, and Tottenham now have to pick themselves up for a midweek clash with WSL champions Chelsea, before United face the same opponent on Saturday on the final day of the season.

Here’s five key takeaways from the match in WFC’s view…

Manchester United’s experience counted

While Skinner was keen pre-match to dampen the expectation on his team being the favourites, he did suggest the experience of his side being at Wembley 12 months ago and the quirks that come with a one-off final could favour the red side of the final against first-time finalists Tottenham Hotspur.

It’s hard to argue it didn’t have an effect either. Yes, the quality also told, and United throughout were the better team and Spurs struggled to ever really threaten Mary Earps in goal, but it was for the best part a smart performance from Skinner’s side. Disciplined, no frills, nothing spectacular, but clinically effective.

Many of the players, including goal scorers Toone, Garcia and Williams all played some part in the final last year, while Williams has been taking part in finals for as long ago as 2012 when Birmingham City beat Chelsea on penalties.

Once it became two and three, United did a good job of managing the game out, bar giving Tottenham the chance to hit the woodwork not long after Garcia made it three, but there never looked any real doubt of them holding out for a first major trophy at the top-level.

Tottenham didn’t deal with set-piece threats

It was evident the warning signs were there less than five minutes into the game when Williams headed over a trademark Katie Zelem corner when she should have really found the back of the net.