17 May 2024 , 12:44
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Chelsea boss Emma Hayes criticised Manchester United fans for booing manager Marc Skinner after the 41-year-old guided the club to FA Cup glory.
Skinner, who signed a one-year contract extension today, has become a contentious figure amongst United fans in recent months amid a disappointing league season. Calls for the club to part ways with the manager have become increasingly frequent at matches and almost deafening online.
That deep-rooted displeasure was on display at the Women's FA Cup final last Sunday, despite Skinner leading the women's team to a second successive FA Cup final and claiming a first major honour since the team's reformation in 2018 with their 4-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
The FA Cup triumph was undoubtedly Skinner's best day since he took over as United manager in 2021, and Hayes, who defeated Skinner in last year's FA Cup final, voiced her disappointment with United fans' treatment of the former Birmingham City boss.
"They're deserving of winning the FA Cup, I'm really happy for Marc," Hayes said on Friday in her final press conference as Chelsea manager. "I think he's demonstrated that he's learned with each year what you need to do to win trophies.
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"I think his fanbase are really tough on him. He's brought a first piece of silverware to that club and he got booed. Managers deserve more than that. They won't want to watch someone winning a title on their patch and demonstrate how is this just the beginning for them."
Millie Turner and Marc Skinner lift the FA Cup trophy after Man Utd's victory over Tottenham (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)Hayes will embark on her final match of her Chelsea career when the Blues travel to Old Trafford. An historic fifth league on the trot is up for grabs for Hayes, who must defeat the new reigning FA Cup champions and hope that Manchester City don't beat Aston Villa or usurp Chelsea's superior goal difference.
While United failed to achieve European football this season having slipped to a current fifth-placed berth, the club could end their season on a significant highpoint with victory over Chelsea.
United defeated Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals this season to book a place at Wembley Stadium. And another fraught and dramatic clash is likely to be the case when the sides meet again on Saturday.