Under Marc Skinner, United have adopted a gameplan focused on maintaining possession. In the past, Jackie Groenen, Lucy Staniforth, Vilde Bøe Risa have handled the ball progression duties through the midfield. Groenen excelled in controlling the tempo of the game, attracting press and engaging in holdup play to pass the ball to unmarked teammates. In contrast, the ball-carrying ability of Staniforth and Vilde significantly facilitated United in smoothly transitioning through the first and second phases of ball progression.

Unfortunately, Marc Skinner did not fully utilize Vilde's talents, often limiting her to brief appearances towards the end of matches and in cup games. Yet, in these limited opportunities, Vilde's talent consistently shone through. During the 2022/23 season, she scored three goals in the four matches of the Conti Cup. Additionally, she scored in the fifth round and the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, helping United reach the final.

In the FA Cup Final at Wembley, the team suffered a 1-0 defeat. Surprisingly, Vilde, who had consistently delivered in the tournament, was an unused substitute. In hindsight, Vilde would have definitely brought that clutch magic and the outcome of the game might be different.

The brilliance of Vilde’s excellence extends beyond her ability to score crucial goals. Her midfield intelligence is a key part of her game. Her ability to read the play and drop back to assist the defense by opening a passing channel was exceptional. Sometimes, she replicated what Jackie did: Attracting press from opposition which led to open spaces for her teammates to occupy. In simpler words, she acted as a decoy. She handled the first phase of play effortlessly, advancing the ball into the second phase with quick passing and a remarkable eye for long-range passes.

This season, United seem to be lacking the qualities Vilde brought to the midfield. While statistics might suggest that United continues to dominate possession in their matches, eye test tells us that more than half the time, the team is found circulating the ball within their own half. This pattern is largely down to the absence of a midfielder specialized in ball progression and press resistance.

United need Vilde Bøe Risa.