Manchester United boss Marc Skinner isn't shying away from the pressure. After a frustrating 1-1 draw with Brighton at Leigh Sports Village—saved only by an injury-time equalizer from Lea Schuller—Skinner made it clear where the buck stops.

"I hear it, I feel it," Skinner said, acknowledging the smattering of boos from fans. "I'm at the head of the football club. I'm accountable."

The result extends a worrying run for United: just one win in nine games, dating back to their Champions League play-off victory over Atletico Madrid in February. With only six points from their last five WSL matches, they now sit fourth, one point behind Arsenal. The Gunners need just three points from their final four games to dash United's hopes of a European return.

It's been a season of near-misses. United fell to Chelsea in both the League Cup and FA Cup finals, and were knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. A campaign that once promised so much is now fading fast.

Skinner, who still has a year left on his contract, expects to be in charge next season. But with fan unrest growing, the pressure is mounting. Some supporters feel a change is needed, though there's sympathy for the manager given the funding disparity—United's budget is significantly smaller than the three teams above them.

The challenge isn't just above, either. London City Lionesses are investing heavily, while Brighton—who reached the FA Cup semi-finals and beat both Arsenal and Manchester City last month—have unveiled ambitious plans for a 10,000-seat stadium for their women's team.

"We see the investment around us, we see the strategy around us," Skinner added. "But I work tirelessly hard to push this football club. Everyone's entitled to their opinion. There's no-one more disappointed than me today for not taking three points."

United finish their league campaign at Chelsea on May 16. For Skinner and his team, the clock is ticking.