Manchester United manager Marc Skinner says his team is hungry for revenge as they prepare to face Chelsea in next month’s FA Cup final.
United booked their third straight trip to Wembley with a hard-fought victory over Manchester City in Sunday’s semi-final, and now have their sights set on reclaiming the trophy they won last season.
The Red Devils will head into the final on 18 May looking to avenge their 2023 defeat to Chelsea in what was their first-ever appearance in an FA Cup final. That loss was followed by redemption last year, when United returned to Wembley to thrash Tottenham 4-0 and lift their first major trophy.
“It feels pretty good, right?” Skinner said following the win at the Joie Stadium. “Managers don’t often show emotion, but I’m genuinely proud of the players. There’s a huge challenge ahead. We’ve faced Chelsea in a final before, and now we want revenge.”
Title Race Twist Before Wembley Showdown
Before the two sides meet under the arch, there’s more at stake. United host Chelsea in a Women’s Super League clash on 30 April—a match that could have major implications in the title race. Chelsea sit six points clear at the top with four games remaining, but United still have an outside shot at catching them.
Skinner isn’t focused on the odds, though.
“I’m not interested in who the favourites are,” he said. “We were excellent in the last final against Chelsea. If we turn up and show the same fight and maturity, we can beat anyone—no question.”
Redemption on the Cards
For many in the United squad, this final is personal. Eleven players from the side that lost to Chelsea at Wembley last year remain in the current team. Former United goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain believes they’ll be motivated by a chance to make things right.
“They lost their first FA Cup final to Chelsea, and now they have a shot at redemption,” Chamberlain told BBC Sport. “They can stop Chelsea’s quadruple dream and get one back.”
Former Manchester City striker Ellen White added, “It’s set up to be a fantastic final. Chelsea are chasing the quadruple. United want to defend their crown. It’s going to be a treat for neutrals.”
Grace Clinton’s Time to Shine
Midfielder Grace Clinton, who spent last season on loan at Tottenham, watched from the sidelines as her parent club United won the FA Cup. This year, she’s hoping to be front and center after playing a pivotal role in the semi-final win—scoring the vital second goal.
“We want to win trophies at this club, and it’s exciting to be part of that,” Clinton told BBC Sport. “I didn’t play in the final last year—it was a strange feeling. Hopefully I get my chance now.”
Clinton was substituted in the second half to avoid the risk of a red card, a decision Skinner didn’t take lightly.
“I couldn’t let her miss another final,” he explained. “She was the best player on the pitch. Her tackling, her dribbling, her energy—it was exceptional.”
Clinton and Celin Bizet, both former loanees at Spurs, scored the decisive goals to send United back to Wembley.
“She’s come back a different player,” said Ellen White. “Stronger, more physical, and deadly in front of goal. She’s made a real case to start in that final.”