Man Utd boss opens up on conversations with Norwegian midfielder as he lays down challenge

The 27-year-old Norwegian international returned to the starting XI in last week’s 5-0 FA Cup win over Durham and opened the scoring with a sublime free kick that will surely be a goal of the season contender come season end.

It goal was a rare bright spark in a frustrating season for Bøe Risa with the United midfielder yet to make a league start this season and forced to make an impact from the substitutes bench.

However, Bøe Risa seemed in bright spirits during her post match interview and Skinner spoke in detail about the conversations the pair have had this season as he challenged her to make an impact in the end of season title race.

“It was a beautiful free kick, it really was. A top technical effort” noted Skinner.

“I’ve been very clear on Vilde, me and her have a really good relationship. She will be frustrated because she’s not played as many minutes but we’re in a really competitive team - and that’s what you want. Any team that aspires to be a top club has to have competition and competitive for places, so that everybody is ready.

“In the moments Vilde comes on it is a reminded to keep showing the qualities that she has - and there’s no doubt about that. The one thing we ask V (Vilde Boe Risa) is to keep working on the other side of the game - the anticipation of where the ball might drop - because you’re not always going to have all of the ball.

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“She’s been great, her energy has been good but it has been for a long time. I’m very clear with players, I try not to leave them in the dark and without an understanding of why they might not be playing. Those are the conversations where I talk about players wanting you to tell them the truth, they don’t alway want to hear the truth - they want the positive part of the truth, and I pride myself on having conversations, no matter how difficult they may be.

“I’ve been very honest with her, she’s appreciates that and when she brings moments like that (her free kick against Durham) it shows the quality we have - but we still need more. We need to keep her driving and striving and all of a sudden she will be an even better player than she already is now.”

The head coach also revealed January signing - and Bøe Risa’s international teammate - Lisa Naalsund is in line to be named in the squad for the first time since joining the club as the club take on bottom of the table Leicester City this Sunday (kick scheduled for 12:30).

“Everybody bar Jayde Riviere is in contention - even Lisa. She has trained fully with the team this week so everyone is available from Jayde who is about three weeks away” confirmed the Manchester United boss.