Man United boss Marc Skinner has called for a rule change regarding player suspensions in the Conti Cup after his side lost 3-1 to Chelsea in the semi-finals. Pernille Harder opened the scoring with a fine strike before Jessie Fleming put the hosts two in front on the half-hour mark. Vilde Bøe Risa pulled one back for United, but Jess Carter then scored Chelsea’s third to send them to their third successive Conti Cup final. While United had opportunities during the game, they were without first-team regular Hayley Ladd and star player Ella Toone, who were both serving suspensions for picking up two yellow cards earlier in the competition. Skinner, however, pointed out that Chelsea were not forced to play the same number of games in the cup because of competing in Europe, so there was less opportunity for Hayes’ players to pick up similar bans. Speaking in his post-match press conference after the semi-final, Skinner emphasised that he had no problems with Chelsea but that the rules were in desperate need of being re-evaluated. "My issue is - and I want to stress this in as calm a manner as I possibly can - that the rules need to change from next year.“We were put at a disadvantage based on the simple fact that we've played five games leading to the quarter-finals in this competition."And two players accrued two yellow cards at that point and are out of the semis.“Chelsea entered the competition at the quarter-final stage because they were in the Champions League and can't accrue the same amount of cards, so we're at a huge disadvantage.

Something needs to be addressed just to make sure that there's a fair opportunity for us to progress with most of our players.

When asked what changes he’d make to the current rule, the United boss argued that yellow cards should be wiped at the quarter-final stage, so every team is on a level playing field. 

"Scrap the yellow cards at the quarter-final stage so when you make it there that's a new phase with the eight teams starting afresh,” he emphasised. 

“For us, it's just about balance. If we play more games, we've got more opportunities to accrue more cards.

“So, what I'd like is a reset at the quarter-finals (stage) and if we get two yellow cards (after that) then it's our fault."

Meanwhile, Hayes did not comment on the yellow cards rule but previously stated in 2019 that the Conti Cup should be scrapped. 

Since then though, her team has not lost a knockout game in the competition and are the current holders of the trophy. 

"When you're champions you have got something to protect and we like being champions” she admitted. 

Chelsea will face either Man City or Tottenham in this year’s final.