Skinner challenges 'rebels' Man Utd to 'go through hell' to deny Chelsea treble

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner has urged his "rebels" to "go through hell" to prevent Chelsea from completing the treble when they collide in Women's FA Cup final.

Sonia Bompastor is aiming to round off her memorable first season in charge by adding to the Blues' Women's Super League and League Cup triumphs.

United finished 16 points behind the WSL champions, but did beat Emma Hayes' Chelsea in the semi-finals on the way to winning last season's FA Cup.

And Skinner sees no reason why his players cannot repeat that feat when they look to successfully defend their title at Wembley on Sunday.

"Results-wise, Chelsea are the best team and the hardest team to come up against," the Red Devils head coach said. "If you know anything about us, we are rebels, and we don't like just accepting this is the case.

"I am a rebel, my nature is rebellious, so for me, it is about not accepting that just because they have the best resources, they have to be the best team on every occasion.

"When you set yourself up for that challenge - and you know you will have to go through hell to get the victory - if you prepare for that, then I believe you can do something special."

It's almost time...#MUWomen || #WomensFACup pic.twitter.com/xLABM93yuw
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) May 17, 2025

It was announced earlier this week that American entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian - the husband of tennis great Serena Williams - had purchased a 10% stake in Chelsea worth a reported £20million ($26.5million).

Skinner believes that will put added pressure on Bompastor to continue delivering the goods, while encouraging his side to increase their own performance levels.

"You are funding to win the Champions League and go domestically unbeaten," he said. "Their task is becoming harder, in my opinion.

"What that does is, if you are a sportsperson, it just makes you compete better. The reality is you're not playing Chelsea every week.

"You play them in two events -- or maybe three if it's the FA Cup final -- but if you can maximise those, you can beat them anyway because they are still human."