Chelsea Women boss Emma Hayes slams Man Utd faithful for 'tough' Marc Skinner treatment

Emma Hayes has come out in defence of Manchester United boss Marc Skinner after fans booed the 41-year-old despite his recent FA Cup success.

Skinner, who has just penned a fresh one-year deal with United, has become a contentious figure amongst fans in recent months following an underwhelming league season. Calls for the club to part ways with the manager have become increasingly frequent at matches as well as on social media.

The frustration from the stands was evident even when Skinner led the United Women to their second consecutive FA Cup final, where they clinched a historic victory, thrashing Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 to win their first major honour since the team's reformation in 2018.

The FA Cup final win was Skinner's best day since he took over at United in 2021, and Hayes, who defeated Skinner's team in the previous year's FA Cup, expressed her disappointment at the lack of support he received from United fans during her last press conference as Chelsea boss.

"They're deserving of winning the FA Cup, I'm really happy for Marc," Hayes said on Friday. "I think he's demonstrated that he's learned with each year what you need to do to win trophies.

"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 this is just the beginning for them."

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Chelsea boss Hayes is set to take charge of her final game when the Blues face United at Old Trafford. Chelsea have the chance to secure an unprecedented fifth consecutive league title, but must defeat the reigning FA Cup champions and hope that Manchester City don't beat Aston Villa or better Chelsea's superior goal difference.

Missing out on European football this season, United are currently fifth and have the opportunity to end their campaign on a high with a win over the Blues. United managed to knock Chelsea out of the FA Cup semi-finals earlier this season to book a place in the final at Wembley Stadium.

Another tense and thrilling encounter is expected when the two sides face each other again on Saturday.