Soccer-United women's manager Skinner hopes FA Cup final appearance first of many

(Adds quotes) May 12 (Reuters) - As Manchester United make their debut in the women's FA Cup final just five years after resurrecting their women's programme, manager Marc Skinner hopes Sunday's appearance at Wembley Stadium will be the first of many.

(Adds quotes) May 12 (Reuters) -

As Manchester United make their debut in the women's FA Cup final just five years after resurrecting their women's programme, manager Marc Skinner hopes Sunday's appearance at Wembley Stadium will be the first of many. "We're maybe slightly ahead but nothing we're not planning for. If it moves ahead then that's brilliant but I want it to be sustained," Skinner said.

"That is my plan over the summer with our recruitment and how we go; it's about making it sustainable so we're not just a flash in the pan. That's something I won't accept for us." United, who top the Women's Super League table, face defending champions Chelsea on Sunday in front of what will be a record crowd for the women's final at Wembley.

The FA announced last week that the stadium had sold out, ensuring the game will top the final's previous record crowd of 49,094 set last season when Chelsea edged Manchester City 3-2. "We've reached that point where selling out Wembley is no longer just a pipe dream, and the FA finally don't have to listen to me any more banging on about how important it is we fill the stadium out," said Chelsea manager Emma Hayes. "So well done to everyone for doing that."

Chelsea, who are one point behind United with a game in hand in the league, could be considered favourites because of their experience in the final, although Hayes discounted that theory. "Being there in the past maybe gives you the luxury of understanding what it's like but it is no advantage whatsoever," she said.

"We're always favourites in our eyes... what's important is the belief, the confidence, the trust that's internal is critical when it really, really matters." While United's men have hoisted the FA Cup on 12 occasions, the club re-established a women's team only in 2018 after the former side disbanded in 2005 following a string of disappointing seasons.

That was all in the past, said Skinner. "I'm really happy with our progression because you can see it in the performances and the statistics. Being at Manchester United though, we want to win," he said.

"We are putting in the foundations for that. That's where the pride comes from." United booked their spot in the final with a 3-2 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, while Chelsea beat Aston Villa 1-0.