Marc Skinner, the Manchester United Women’s manager, delivered a pointed and witty observation on managerial styles, aimed directly at his counterpart, Ruben Amorim.
Speaking about his confidence in his captain, Maya Le Tissier, who scored a match-winning penalty, Skinner made a clear distinction between his own dugout demeanour and Amorim’s notorious habit of refusing to watch penalties.
The comment is a direct reference to the severe criticism Amorim faced for visibly looking away during the men's humiliating Carabao Cup penalty shootout loss to Grimsby Town, a moment that became an embarrassing emblem of the club’s struggles.
Skinner's confidence vs the manager's anxiety
When asked about his nerves as Maya Le Tissier stepped up to take the decisive penalty in their Champions League opener, Skinner was emphatic:
“When she steps up for the penalty I’m confident, I’m not one of these managers that looks away.”
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He added that the focus should be purely on technique and composure, not superstition, saying, “You’re at the mercy of technique and composure and mental acumen, not whether the wind is blowing in the wrong direction.”
The thinly-veiled criticism contrasts sharply with Ruben Amorim’s rationale for refusing to watch penalties, who previously stated that the penalty shootout was "not important" and that he preferred to look at the fans' reaction.
The two faces of Manchester United leadership
The two managers' contrasting approaches highlight the different emotional landscapes of the two teams at Old Trafford.
While Skinner’s team are flying high, competing in the Women's Champions League for the first time, the men's side continues to struggle with inconsistency and mental fragility, something Amorim has openly admitted.
Skinner’s confidence in his captain, Maya Le Tissier, to convert the spot-kick was rewarded, with the team securing a crucial win.
The clear message from the women’s boss is that leadership requires a visible presence, especially in high-pressure moments, a standard that is now firmly back in the spotlight for the men's side.
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