MANCHESTER UNITED boss Marc Skinner wants fans to be “well looked after” when the postponed Women’s Super League trip to Chelsea is rescheduled.

The contest at Kingsmeadow that had been due to be played this coming Sunday was called off with a week’s notice, after the Blues’ Champions League opener against Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge was confirmed as taking place two days later.

While Skinner feels the right decision has been made in terms of player welfare, he was keen to highlight supporters in the situation.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of his side’s League Cup match against Liverpool on Wednesday, Skinner said: “For me, most importantly it’s affected the fans, which is something we clearly don’t want to happen.

“I think from a playing perspective, for both Chelsea welfare and our welfare players-wise, it’s the right decision, because the game is not going to be moved from the Champions League. We don’t want any more injuries.

“It’s more the effect on the fans. Wherever we fit the game in, let’s make sure it’s accessible to the fans and that they are well looked after, because I think that’s the most important thing.

“They were ready. I think it was sold out, our end, the away end. So we just need to make sure it favours them as well, I think that’s really key.”

Chelsea on Sunday released a statement about the postponement, saying: “In light of the proximity between the two fixtures, the club raised its concerns regarding player welfare with the relevant parties. Numerous discussions have since taken place in an attempt to find an amicable solution to this scheduling conflict between the league and Uefa.

“Despite our best efforts to seek alternative options which would allow us to play both matches safely, these have been unsuccessful. It is therefore with sincere regret that we are left with no other option than to confirm the postponement of next weekend’s WSL fixture.

“We are extremely disappointed with the outcome but wish to reiterate that player welfare and the impact on our supporters are of the utmost importance to us.”

The Women’s Professional Leagues Limited, the independent entity that as of this season oversees the top two tiers of English women’s football, released a statement that was also posted on United’s official website, in which it apologised “for any inconvenience to fans”, adding: “In this instance, we have to put player welfare first.”

Uefa said in a statement: “More than one year ago and in accordance with the competition regulations, Uefa established the Women’s Champions League match calendar, highlighting the two possible match days available in every match week and communicated it to national associations, leagues and clubs to allow advance planning.

“For the Women’s Champions League group stage draw, there are two well-established draw principles concerning teams from the same national association.

“The first prevents teams from the same national association from being drawn into the same group and the second pairs two teams, in this case the highest seeds Arsenal and Chelsea, to ensure that they play on different days of every match week.

“These principles have been clearly communicated in advance and have been common practice since the introduction of the Women’s Champions League group stage in the 2021-22 season.”