Why Manchester United women have to be better in both boxes

Manchester United women face West Ham in the WSL this weekend and Marc Skinner has impressed the importance of being better in both boxes. 

United are looking to keep pace with the top of the table and are strong favourites to win on Sunday.

Manchester United have to be better

After heading into the international break with back to back losses, Manchester United are looking to get back on track this weekend.

The Red Devils were easily beaten in the Manchester derby before losing to Wolfsburg in the Champions League.

United are now seven points adrift of their city rivals in the WSL and anything but a win this weekend would see their title chances take a significant blow.

“It’s one of those things where they might concede but you have to attack them to make them concede,” Skinner said on West Ham United’s defensive record. “If you watch our games, we’ve been really good in the build-up phases but we need to get back to that invasion part, we need to attack teams when we’re in their final third.

“I want us to be better in both boxes, the little details; defend effectively, are we in the right positions at the right times with the right aggression and then I want to see the front-line invading. If we can have that, I have no doubt that the goals will flow fluidly.”

United will be without Celin Bizet on Sunday after she announced her pregnancy, but goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce is in line to make her return.

👀❤️ pic.twitter.com/P9g6NMsvCS

— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) December 5, 2025

Stats suggest easy United win

West Ham represent a great opportunity to come back from the break with a win. The Hammers have conceded more than anyone else in the WSL with 20 goals and United will be hoping to put up a high number.

The Red Devils will also be keen to keep a clean sheet on Sunday having not shut anyone out since matchday four.

West Ham have been held to no goals in five WSL games this year and with just six goals they have the joint worst scoring record in the league as well.

All signs point to a convincing United win this weekend to get them back to form, but anything can happen in the WSL and a West Ham upset wouldn’t be the most shocking thing to happen this year.