Skinner praises staff after celebrating new arrival with win

Marc Skinner ended a week of personal celebration by guiding Manchester United to a 2-0 Women's Super League victory over Bristol City.

Skinner, 40, took time away from his role this week ahead of the birth of his second child, a baby girl, on Friday but was back on the touchline at Leigh Sports Village.

He said: "I think I was saying different words out there that I don't even know but credit to the staff this week, for everyone involved for covering and helping.

"It allowed me to be at the birth of my child, which is a life event. Some things are bigger than football."

The Robins are bottom of the table and have picked up only six points all season but this was not a comfortable afternoon for United.

Skinner's side led early through Lisa Naalsund's first WSL goal but could not find a second until the Norwegian scored from a corner in stoppage time.

The United boss, who had not seen his side win in the league since early last month, added: "We had to beat a deep block.

"It was difficult, so you've got to maximise the spaces. I think we could have been better.

"Once we got into those pockets beyond their midfield, we started to pass backwards. We needed to be more aggressive.

"I think it was a comprehensive win, it just needed to be done. It's two clean sheets back to back, which gets us back some momentum.

"It was never going to be a big-scoring game."

City had conceded 12 goals in their last two games so the result brought mixed feelings for boss Lauren Smith, who saw Shania Hayles hit the post in the second half.

She said: "Although it's a loss we'll always be frustrated by, we came into this game after a couple of poor defensive displays and I felt we were better at that today — harder to beat, harder to break down, resilient.

"I thought the players' attitude and the teamwork really shone through and I'm proud of that."