Bee Buzzing At Facing United's Big Guns

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2021-04-16T12:00:00.000Z

Bee Buzzing At Facing United's Big Guns

2021-04-16T12:00:00.000Z

PL PREVIEW: Manchester United v Burnley - Image 6

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Matt Bee is hoping that Manchester United send out the big guns to face Burnley Women in Sunday’s glamour FA Cup fourth round tie.

The Clarets are gearing up for the biggest game in their history as they face a Women’s Super League side for the first time in the shape of Casey Stoney’s United.

And Bee, whose side operate in the third tier of the women’s pyramid, feels his side deserve to compete against the very best following cup wins over Fylde and Sunderland since their return to action last month.

The Burnley Women’s manager said: “For everyone connected with the club, it’s really exciting.

Bee Buzzing At Facing United's Big Guns - Image 2

“We’ve always had ambition and known we have to do that in a measured approach, but these are the type of games you want to be involved in.

“From a personal point of view, I started coaching at 16 and in the women’s game at 20 and I’ve always had that ambition to be in the Super League, so this weekend’s challenge is a huge one, to go up against Casey Stoney, who is doing an unbelievable job at Manchester United, and compete with the best, is what we do this for.

“I said in the team meeting this week that I hope they bring all the big guns, which was probably a shock, but we’ve worked so hard to get here you want to see them play everyone.

“Whether I’ll be saying that after 60 minutes is another thing, but I certainly hope they will bring as many of their big names as possible.”

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Bee, whose side are now fully embedded in the club and train twice a week at Barnfield, added: “On Tuesday we did our first analysis session and that’s usually the point when I have footage of the opposition and I point out a weakness.

“I just stood there and said ‘these aren’t bad, to be fair’. But the players know that and in terms of prepping them, footage of Manchester United is everywhere, so there is an awareness of what they are about.

“But that’s the challenge; can we, as a collective go toe to toe and nullify some of the best players in England and the world.”

Sunday’s game, which now takes place at Lancashire FA HQ in Leyland (2pm KO), will be just Burnley’s third game back following the curtailment of the National League Northern Premier Division, due to Covid.

The FA Cup has proved a lifeline for the players, who now face the prospect of facing a United side sitting fourth in the top flight of women’s football.

“We had a lot longer off than most teams and there was real uncertainty that we would get back on the grass this season,” explained Bee.

Bee Buzzing At Facing United's Big Guns - Image 4

“As soon as we got the green light to return there was a positive vibe in the camp and it was quickly about attacking the (cup) games in the right way, which we’ve done.

“The carrot at the end of the road was the potential of this game against Manchester United, which became a focus, so I’m proud of the way the players have conducted themselves and it’s a huge achievement to get to this game; not just because of the significance of it, but also because of how they have applied themselves during lockdown and in such a short space of time afterwards.

“We are in a good place now and we’re ready. It’s about attacking the game our way and retaining our identity, but going out there with no fear.

“We are playing one of the biggest teams in England and we have to realistic. They are going to dominate a lot of moments and the big focus for us is to threaten when we can and that everything is left out there on the pitch.

“This is where we want to be; playing against the best, and it’s been a massive journey.

“When I came here in 2016 we were in tier five and the first target was to bring an ambition.

“We’ve been able to get the team through the divisions and that’s down to the hard work of everyone.

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“But taking it further is want we want to do. We’ve always made a statement in each season and this is why I’m so proud this season.

“It looked, at one stage, as though it might finish, but we’ve pulled something out of the bag again and gone and got ourselves into a lucrative game such as this.”

Sunday’s game will be streamed live on Clarets+. Join now for just £1 and tune in to the women taking on Manchester United, just hours before the men head to Old Trafford for their Premier League game.