MARC SKINNER says Gabby George is urging her Manchester United team-mates to make Women’s Champions League history.
The Red Devils ace will miss United’s duel with Paris Saint-Germain for a group stage spot tomorrow with the player undergoing a surgery on her knee injury today.
GettyMarc Skinner confirmed Man United will take on PSG without the services of Gabby George with the defender undergoing a knee operation[/caption]
PAGeorge became the second Man United player to rupture a knee ligament this term after going off injured against Leicester City[/caption]
The England defender was forced off in the ninth minute of the team’s 1-1 draw with Leicester on Sunday after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
Man United boss Skinner, 40, said: “When I spoke to Gabby and said ‘is there anything I can do for you?’ she said ‘can you win in Paris?’
“I really want us to win it for our fans. I’d love to give them a European tour. That’s going to be in the back of our minds.
“What I know about this club is we’ll put the player at the centre of the medical attention she needs.
“We’ll make sure she rehabs and comes back stronger.
“It was a non-contact (injury) so it’s devastating news because she was playing so well but she will come back stronger, I’ve no doubt about that.”
George, who sealed an Everton to United transfer this summer, has become the second Red Devils player to suffer a knee injury this term.
Midfielder Emma Watson is also sidelined with a ruptured ACL sustained while on international duty with Scotland last month.
Of her injury George, who made four Red Devils appearances this term, tweeted: “This one really does hurt.
“I promise to give my all during recovery to come back stronger. I’ve done it once and I will do it again.
“I’m surrounded by the best support system I could ask for and that’s what’s important to me right now.”
Skinner added: “Of course there are different timeframes in different people but, me, I’d always put 12 months on an ACL and then we can work back from that.”
United’s round two tie with Paris Saint-Germain is tentatively poised with the teams drawing 1-1 in their first leg of their round two duel to reach the Champions League’s group stage.
A win for the visitors would see them enter the tournament for the first time in their history.
Skinner said: 2We’re going to go in as prepared as we possibly can be.
“We believe in ourselves and that’s not arrogance, that’s confidence born from our performances.
“It’s born even from the game against Leicester. Nine times out of 10 we would win that game two or three-nil.
“We’ll be more ruthless and we’ve got to be more ruthless against PSG because they will attack us so they’re going to leave spaces for us to attack as well.
“It’s going to be two real good teams going against each other. I think it will be a wonderful moment.”
United will have Jayde Riviere fit and available to play against Paris Saint-Germain despite the Canada full-back coming off during their home game against Leicester.
GettyJayde Riviere will be available for the Red Devils’ game against PSG[/caption]
Skinner revealed the player had been struggling with the cold in the lead-up to that match in which she played for 75 minutes
Skinner added: “Jayde should be fine going into PSG so I’ve got no concerns from that perspective.
“She just needs time to grow into games. She’s performed at the highest level (for Canada), so she’s ready to go.”
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