After playing a starring role in Tottenham’s run to a first FA Cup final last season, on-loan Grace Clinton was forced to watch from the sidelines at Wembley as her parent club Manchester United claimed the trophy.
This time round she is hoping to play a major role, having scored the crucial second goal against City on Sunday.
“We want to win trophies at this club so it’s really exciting and hopefully I finally get to play,” the midfielder told BBC Sport.
“It [being ineligible last season] was a weird feeling. I couldn’t really explain it.”
The combative midfielder was taken off in the second half against City to avoid a second yellow card, a chance manager Skinner was not willing to take.
“I couldn’t risk her potentially not being part of the final again because she doesn’t deserve that,” said the United boss.
“Before she came off, I thought she was the best player on the park. Her duelling, her work out of possession and her ability to change the game with her dribbling.”
It was fitting that Clinton and Celin Bizet, who were both on loan at Tottenham last season, scored the goals to send United back to Wembley.
“Clinton has come back to Manchester United and really worked on her development, her physicality in both boxes,” added White.
“Also her scoring ability. She can score from pretty much anywhere. I feel she has really stamped her authority to play in that midfield.”
