The Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner says it is “great news” that the Football Association have put the brakes on plans to make radical changes to the Women’s FA Cup such as seeding the top teams, and he feels big teams going head-to-head in earlier rounds is good for the cup.

\n Skinner’s side travel to face the holders Chelsea in the fifth round on Sunday, a repeat of last year’s final. It is a tie that would not have been possible under the proposals that were initiially put forward by the FA earlier in February, which could have seen the WSL’s top four sides separated until the semi-final stage from next season if the changes had gone on to be approved at FA board level. But the Guardian revealed on Thursday that, after receiving negative feedback on the plans, the FA have decided to extend the consultation period and there will be no changes to the format for next season.

\n “Great news, great news,” Skinner said, when asked for his reaction to that idea being put on hold. “We play one of the best teams in English history on Sunday in an early round, but that’s the draw, that’s the beauty of the game. I watch competitions because there’s an element of luck. For us to play Chelsea is rough luck but it’s part of the game and it allows the beauty of the cup.”

\n An FA spokesperson told the Guardian: “While we will continue to review the Adobe Women’s FA Cup and the ways it can evolve, we have listened to the feedback and no changes will be implemented for the 2026-27 season.

\n “We understand how much the competition means to clubs, players and fans across the pyramid, and it is important that all parties have enough time to share their views. As a result, we will be extending the consultation phase to allow for further engagement informed by the questions and comments raised.”

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Michael Carrick has offered insight into how he is managing Kobbie Mainoo. The 20-year-old was not started in Manchester United’s first 20 Premier League games by Ruben Amorim. But Carrick, who has replaced the sacked Portuguese as the interim head coach, has selected the midfielder in his first five games in charge and not overloaded him with instructions.

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“We haven’t really got started in any of that because we’re just letting him go and find his flow and find his rhythm of playing football again,” Carrick told the BBC’s Football Interview. “Trust in what he is – he’s a fantastic footballer and he’s got a huge talent.”

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Regarding being appointed last month, Carrick said: “Yeah it was a nice thing to hear. I was quite calm about it actually. I don’t know why. It just felt right. It just felt quite normal.”

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He called his wife, Lisa Roughead. “It wasn’t the case of me coming off the phone and shouting and screaming and celebrating on the motorway. I just called my wife and said: ‘This is what’s happening. This is where we’re at.’”

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Good morning, football. Welcome to our rolling preview of the weekend’s action, with manager press conferences to come, and buildup to Sunday’s North London derby. the word is out: we have a title race on our hands.

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Join us.

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Evento principal

El entrenador del Brighton, Fabián Hurzelerbajo presión mientras las Gaviotas se deslizan por la mesa. Se enfrentarán a Brentford este fin de semana.

“Tenemos que ver cómo es la tabla. Esa es la realidad. En este momento, estamos en el medio de la tabla. Estamos a siete puntos de la zona de descenso y a seis puntos de Europa, así que estamos en el medio de la tabla, por lo que ahora hay un tipo diferente de jugador.

“Hay una persona positiva que dice que miramos hacia arriba porque queremos subir, queremos lograr algo, hay gente que puede asustarse y mirar hacia abajo. En general, para mí, se trata de mirar el próximo partido, ver en qué podemos influir, ver qué podemos controlar y eso es sólo el próximo partido”.

Fuente