Manchester United boss Skinner flags fatigue concerns for WSL players amid ‘shovelled in’ international fixtures

MARC SKINNER fears weary WSL aces could be playing walking football later due to international window fatigue

And Aston Villa’s clingy shirt issues are set to rumble on with the club expecting a long-term solution from kitmakers Castore rather than an immediate one. 

GettyMarc Skinner says some players have been left fatigued following busy international match schedules[/caption]

GettySkinner’s United aces will take on Aston Villa this afternoon in the first game of the new WSL season[/caption]

GettyAlisha Lehmann and Rachel Daly are among the Villa players who were involved in Women’s Nations League fixtures earlier this week[/caption]

Manchester United chief Skinner will oversee his side in action against the Villans at Villa Park in the first of six WSL curtain-raising fixtures happening today.

Their game comes just five days after scores of players were away on international duty in the Women’s Nations League. 

These include four of United’s Lioness stars and six England, Scotland and Holland aces from Villa who took part in games in the contest last Friday and on Tuesday. 

Fixtures in the contest, which determines which teams will qualify for next year’s Olympics, includes the Lionesses’ 2-1 loss to Holland five days ago. 

Skinner said: “You have players who have just come off a World Cup and coming into an important game where there were two qualifying games with difficult opponents. 

“Yet, we (England) were not at the races and that’s because the girls have to mentally reset as well as physically reset. 

“I just hope it doesn’t lag into the (start of this) season. 

“We all want this energetic start, however I might predict in the future and I might get this wrong, but I’d imagine every game this opening weekend will end with walking football at the end.

“By the last 20 minutes there will probably be walking football because there will be people that are fatigued. 

“From my perspective, it’s a crazy way to just shovel (Women’s Nations League) games in.

“I get the format and I get the intent, but I’m not even sure the international managers were happy with it.

“Some might have been (whose teams) didn’t compete in the World Cup, but others won’t be. 

“So from my perspective, I think it’s a strange window and will definitely lead to a lack of cohesion for a lot of teams going into all of their markets, not just England.”

Villa’s clash with United comes in a week in which their WSL aces flagged concerns about wet look shirts manufactured by sportswear firm Castore. 

Players have flagged that the fabric retained too much sweat during matches.  

It’s understood the club, who shared players’ concerns with Castore, are not expecting an immediate solution to the shirt issues

And Ward explained that the ball is now in the court of the sportswear firm and Villa officials

GettyCarla Ward says Villa officials have been in constant communication with players in regard to sweat-clogged shirt issues[/caption]

The Villa Women’s boss said: “As far I’m concerned it’s over to the club and Castore.

“My focus has to be this weekend and making sure the players are focused. 

“One thing I will say is the club have been absolutely superb in these last few days with constant communication of how we can help the players.”