Manchester United manager Marc Skinner is greatly anticipating his team’s early season clash against Arsenal.

Last season’s runners-up open their new Women’s Super League campaign versus Aston Villa on Sunday but Skinner told Sky Sports that their first home game versus the Gunners on October 6th will be a good test for his team:

“[Against Arsenal] I think it’ll be a great marker for both teams. It’s that early in the season, you’re going to be feeling each other out as well. They’re not going to be in rhythm, it takes five or six games for that. You have to hope you have the qualities in the moment to win the games and I know we’ve got that.”

“Of course, Alessia [Russo] will be revisiting and that’s something we have to deal with. But Arsenal have to defend against us and again, this is where teams should fear Manchester United this season with what we’ve got in attack.”

Russo’s return is set to dominate the build-up

As Skinner mentions, it will be Alessia Russo’s first appearance against United following her controversial free transfer to Arsenal in the summer.

It remains to be seen whether the forward will get a good reception on a return to the club where she spent three successful years.

United will be keen to make an early statement

In addition to Russo, the Red Devils also lost another key player, Ona Batlle, heading into the new season, so facing Arsenal will be an early indication as to how Skinner’s new-look squad will perform.

They have made some big moves in the transfer market, bringing in the likes of Geyse, Hinata Miyazawa, Irene Guerrero and Phallon Tullis-Joyce, but we shall have to wait and see if these new recruits can help United match or surpass their previous exploits.