Women's Super League

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Manchester United boss Marc Skinner says the best tribute he can give to Matt Beard is for his side to "go out and put on a fantastic performance" against Liverpool on Sunday.

Former Liverpool manager Beard died at the age of 47 on Saturday.

"The best tribute we can pay to someone like Matt, knowing his character, is to go and put on a fantastic performance and try to win the game because that is what he always tried to do," Skinner said in his news conference on Friday.

"He always tried to win the game. To pay him a tribute and credit, we have to try and do the same."

Beard led Liverpool to back-to-back WSL titles in 2013 and 2014. He returned for a second spell at the club in 2021 but was sacked in February this year.

Skinner said Sunday's game will be "highly charged with emotion".

"Everyone is charged with emotion and that can go two ways for a team. It can galvanise, promote and push you or it can consume you," he said.

"There will be respect for the great man."

Two members of Skinner's coaching staff - Scott Rogers and goalkeeper coach Joe Pott - used to be Beard's assistants, and Skinner said they are in "disbelief".

"They didn't feel anything like this would every happen. It will take time to come to terms with it. That is human nature. We will be here for them as a football community," he said.

"Right now, it is about talking. It is about keeping the memory alive and having good conversation around it. Rather than push it back and not talk about it, talk about it, feel the emotions of it and really continue to add it as part of your life."

Emily Salley
BBC Sport journalist

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Arsenal boss Renee Slegers said it "hurts" her to leave United States defender Jenna Nighswonger out of the Gunners' matchday squads.

Nighswonger joined the club from Gotham FC for £80,500 on transfer deadline day in January.

However, the 24-year-old American made only four Women's Super League appearances last season and she has not been in the squad for any of Arsenal's three WSL matches this term.

Speaking on the Crossways podcast, Arsenal legend Ian Wright asked for "clarity" on the situation.

Wright said: "I need some clarity on what's going on with Arsenal and Jenna. [She had] a good pre-season, I'm hearing from people. [She's] more than capable of playing at this level - she's not even in the matchday squads."

Slegers emphasised that Nighswonger is still "part of the team."

"It is a burden I have to carry," the Arsenal boss said on Thursday.

"When the whole squad is fit we have so many options and I will only be able to start 11 players and change a maximum of five players.

"That's the rules within the game that I have to work with, even though it hurts me. That's the rules of the game and, at the end of the day, it's my job."