United ran out 2-1 winners at Southampton Women on Sunday, with a Jordan Nobbs brace enough to seal all three points, and Oxtoby praised the 90-minute performance her side put in at St. Mary's.

Nobbs' brace, which included the fastest goal of the WSL2 season at 14 seconds, means she's now the club's joint-top scorer in the league this campaign and helped United maintain their promotion charge.

"We knew it was going to be a challenge coming here," manager Oxtoby said post-match. "I thought the start was exceptional, and we certainly exploited the spaces that we'd been working on all week.

"I think we played well in the first half, and we often speak about when we're on top in games, making sure that we make it count, and I thought we did that today because we were quite clinical with the opportunities we had, which is pleasing.

"I'm not sure that's ever in the script (scoring after 14 seconds), but it obviously helped us to build the confidence for everyone."

After a disappointing home draw a week earlier against Ipswich Town Women, United looked for small tweaks as they sought an immediate response and a return to winning ways.

Oxtoby added: "We had to adapt during the game, and that's the beauty of this league: when you dominate certain areas, or a team is dominating you, you have to be tactically flexible, and I think we showed that today.

"We played several different shapes within the game, and the players are starting to understand those roles and responsibilities, and the ones that came on made sure that we finished it off."

Nobbs' ability on the ball and constant communication with players and coaches was there for all to see on Sunday as she looked to control the tempo and play the game at her pace.

Having played in the Women's Super League for the vast majority of her career, United's number four has shown permanent class and quality since joining in the summer.

"Her game understanding and her leadership is something that I think goes a little bit unnoticed," Oxtoby said about her midfield general.

"She gets a lot of accolades for her in-possession work, which is obvious and clear for everyone to see, but what she does off the ball in terms of the press and her organisation and how she sees the game is really important too.

"To have a player of her quality and experience in our side is, I suppose, a trump card up our sleeve and we're grateful to have her here."