Man Utd Women: I am responsible for the result, says boss Mark Skinner

Manchester United boss Mark Skinner has admitted he is to blame for the club’s disappointing end to the season.

Leah Schuler’s injury-time goal saved United’s defeat at Brighton at Lee Sports Village.

Despite this, the 1-1 draw means United have won just one game in nine, with a Champions League play-off success against Atletico Madrid in February.

They sit fourth with six points from their last five Women’s Super League games, one point behind third-placed Arsenal.

The Gunners now need just three points from their last four games to close the door on a return to Europe for United, who finish their league campaign at Chelsea on May 16.

United were beaten by Chelsea in the League Cup final and FA Cup as well, and after losing to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, a season that promised much.

Skinner said he heard boos from fans at the end of both halves and added: “I hear it, I feel it.

“I’m the head of the football club. I’m responsible, aren’t I? I’m there for people to give their opinion.

“I have worked tirelessly to push this football club. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I will never deny that but there is no one more disappointed than me today not to take the three points.”

In the build-up to the game, Skinner said he expected to be in charge next season.

He still has a year left on his contract, though many supporters feel a change is needed.

There is some sympathy for Skinner as the funding he receives is far less than the three teams tipped to finish above United this season.

However, the challenge is not just up and down.

The London City Lions are spending steadily to strengthen their squad, while Brighton, who reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup and beat both Arsenal and Manchester City last month, have unveiled ambitious plans for a 10,000-capacity stadium for their women’s team.

“We see investment around us, we see strategy around us,” added Skinner.

“We can no longer look at the teams above us, we have to be aware of the teams below us.

“I know everyone wants to pounce on the negatives but there has been amazing growth from this team as well.

“We have to do some reflection, of course we do.

“The reality is we have to evaluate over the summer where the resources go and which direction we push it, to make sure we stay in that chase pack and obviously make sure the teams behind us don’t catch us.”