Marc Skinner picks out key trait as Manchester United cruise into UEFA Women's Champions League quarters - 'Golden thread most teams would die for'
Published 20/02/2026 at 11:28 GMT
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Marc Skinner insisted that Manchester United have a 'golden thread' that sets them apart from other sides after they reached the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-finals. The Red Devils booked their placed in the next stage of the competition with a 5-0 aggregate victory over Spanish club Atletico Madrid. Julia Zigiotti and Jess Park found the back of the net in the second leg.
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Marc Skinner believes Manchester United showed a level of togetherness that most clubs would "die for" as they booked their place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women's Champions League.
Skinner's team beat Spanish side Atletico Madrid 2-0 at the Progress with Unity Stadium to complete a 5-0 aggregate victory.
Goals from Julia Zigiotti and Jess Park put the hosts 2-0 up before half-time, with Xenia Perez being sent off for the visitors for a second bookable offence after the break.
Skinner believes United deserved the victory after showing off the unity that runs through their team.
"If there’s any team that can be stretched and still keep winning, it’s us," he said. "Our team believe in each other.
"I’ve said this a million times, but there’s a thread between our team, even at our most stretched, and it’s a golden thread most teams would die for. It’s the commitment, the energy, the togetherness.
"I’ve enjoyed the Champions League structure this year because it’s exposed us to different styles of play, and it’s an experience that has helped us grow quickly.
"That’s probably the thing I’m most proud of. The challenges… I look back at when we played Lyon, the first game against Valerenga, all the way through to the last [league phase] game against Juventus, and the growth in our team is incredible."
Arsenal and Chelsea - who are both fighting it out with United, likely for second spot, in the Women's Super League - were already through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Chelsea progressed automatically to the quarter-finals after a third-place finish in the league phase, while Arsenal defeated OH Leuven 7-1 over two legs in the play-offs.
The Red Devils will now go head-to-head with German giants Bayern Munich, who finished fourth in the league phase standings, in the next stage of the tournament.
Skinner insists that his side are optimistic about their chances despite Bayern's impressive start to their European campaign.
"We know how difficult Bayern are going to be, but why not? There’s an air of optimism of the unknown," he added.
"Sometimes, the newbies have that. Let’s just go and see what happens. We’re arriving, and we believe, and that’s a powerful thing in sport.
"Bayern are a fantastic team, but do you [as an opponent] really want to get Manchester United right now? I don’t think you do.
"Hopefully we can be the team that upsets a few. They’ll be favourites, but when you play Manchester United, we don’t believe in that."
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United finished in sixth place in the league phase table, behind Arsenal on goal difference and one point off Bayern.
They have also impressed in the Women's Super League, and are currently eight points behind leaders Manchester City in second place in the table.
They will return to action on Sunday when they collide with Chelsea in the FA Cup.
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