Boss disappointed with Reds’ OT bow
CASEY Stoney says fans would have been disappointed with United in the first half of their Old Trafford debut, even though they claimed a 2-0 WSL win over West Ham.
The Reds were better after a few stern words from Stoney at the break, and secured an important win in the race for Champions League qualification through goals from Lauren James and Christen Press.
With fans not allowed in at Old Trafford, Stoney described this occasion as a dress rehearsal for when United can welcome their supporters in, but the manager said she was glad supporters didn’t see their first half showing.
She said: “It was a poor first half, much better second half. I wasn’t happy at half-time, I let the players know, we didn’t play as a collective, we were sloppy, against a better team we’d have got caught. We needed to be better, you can’t take 45 minutes to get going.
“I can’t repeat what I said word for word at half-time, but players know when they’re not good enough. I said if you want to qualify for the Champions League you need to play at Champions League standard, you need to play as a team. When we started playing as a collective we were better.
“I’ve come away from it disappointed with us in terms of an exhibition, if there was a crowd they’d have been disappointed.”
Stoney, however, believes her players will have learnt a lot from playing at Old Trafford for the first time. She added: “There was a case of the occasion, that’s done now, they’ve played here and know what it’s like.
“When you’ve brought the crowd in, hopefully there’s no big game big occasion nerves.”
Stoney was full of praise for how United made the occasion special for her players, with a full matchday operation and executive vicechairman Ed Woodward watching on.
She said: “I’ll always appreciate what the club does, they made it very special, with the branding, made it a women’s fixture. I’m always about grass pitch, two goals, 1 v 11. In the first half, we played the occasion and not the game.
“The club offered this one, I took it. If we take one next season it’s with the crowd. I’ve not changed my view, we want more crowds at Leigh. If we can have an exhibition here for the crowds then great.
“The club did a good job of showcasing the game for the players, and I am slightly jealous they got to play on the surface I never got to.
“We can always do more, we’re growing steadily, but we’ve come a long way in a short space of time.”
Forward Ella Toone described the chance to play at Old Trafford as a dream come true.
She said: “As a United fan today was a special occasion, I’m glad we got the three points which was the main aim.
“When I was younger the club had no women’s team, so you didn’t think you’d be playing at Old Trafford. Today was a special moment being a lifelong United fan and growing up at the club.
“It’s going to be special every time we step out at Old Trafford.”