Manchester United Women v Aston Villa Women match programme, Women's Super League, 19.12.21

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 2021/22 SEASON • VOLUME 04 ISSUE 07

BARCLAYS FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE SUNDAY 19 DECEMBER 2021 • KICK-OFF 12 PM

£1.50

COME ON YOU REDS!

From playing at Old Trafford in March, to a change of manager in the summer, to the return of you fans (hallelujah!) in September, it’s been an eventful 12 months in the world of United Women, and 2021’s not quite over yet. On the back of progress in the Conti Cup on Wednesday (above, and p11), victory against Villa could see us end the year in the WSL’s top three, should other results go our way on a busy Sunday in the league. It won’t be easy against Carla Ward’s talented side, though, and your support can only help drive the Reds on here at LSV. Let’s go...

MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB LTD

Co-chairmen

Joel Glazer, Avram Glazer

Directors Bryan Glazer, Kevin Glazer, Edward Glazer, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, Ed Woodward, Richard Arnold, Michael Edelson, Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill CBE

Secretary Rebecca Britain

Honorary president

Martin Edwards

MATCH PROGRAMME TEAM

Editor Charlie Ghagan

Editor-in-chief Ian McLeish

Contributors Sean Mullan, Harriet Drudge, Harry Robinson, Andy Murray

Photography Ash Donelon, John & Matt Peters, Getty, Alamy

Cover design Sarah Robson

Thanks to Eleanor Whitehead, Haylee Howe, John Shiel & Chris Leuty/MuPrint.com

© Manchester United 2021

MARC SKINNER

The boss knows we’ll be up against a powerful side for our final 2021 game, but he’ll be urging his Reds to keep their heads, especially when the chances come...

Hello and welcome back to Leigh Sports Village for our last match of the calendar year.

It has been quite a year. Personally and professionally, there’s been a lot of change over the last 12 months.

Of course, a personal highlight is being manager of a wonderful football club and being part of the Manchester United family. But it’s not just about that for me, I’m not settling on being happy to be here. I’m here to win and so are my players.

As a team, there have been a lot of highlights from different parts of matches, but we’re still waiting for that complete performance. It will come. We’ve seen flashes of that in games, like in the derbies against Manchester City, and we’re creating the chances – as 30 attempts and 14 on target against Brighton last weekend shows – so now it’s about composure in our finishing.

Psychology is such a huge part of the game, and goalscoring in particular. We need to stop seeing the goalkeepers as obstacles and start finding the spaces around them; having a pre-empted finish in our minds, rather than waiting to see what the goalkeeper gives

us. Again, it’s about focusing on us, rather than worrying about the opposition. I will be looking for that this afternoon against Aston Villa. Though Carla Ward and her side come here having lost five of their last six league games, they are a difficult team to play against. We don’t underestimate anyone in this division – last weekend’s results show that anyone can beat anyone. Villa’s frontline is very aggressive and counterattack-heavy, and Remi Allen in the midfield is a very tenacious character. I think she drives and epitomises that in the teams she’s played for.

We’ve been laying the foundations over the last few months and we know we’re building something truly excellent here. That’s incredibly exciting. So while it’s always nice to reflect on what’s been, we’re focusing on what’s to come, first against Aston Villa today and then kicking on in 2022, starting with an away game against West Ham in the WSL on 9 January.

Have a wonderful Christmas and we’ll see you in the new year.

“WE’VE BEEN LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS AND WE KNOW WE’RE BUILDING SOMETHING TRULY EXCELLENT HERE. SO WHILE IT’S NICE TO REFLECT ON WHAT’S BEEN, WE’RE FOCUSING ON WHAT’S TO COME”

NOR-WAY BACK FOR BRIGHTON

Vilde Boe Risa gives thanks to Alessia Russo after our no.23 had whipped in a perfect cross for the Bergen-born midfielder to tuck away the Reds’ second goal against Brighton last Sunday. For Boe Risa, it was richly deserved, after she’d come close on four previous occasions at the People’s Pension Stadium. “This league’s very different to what I’ve been used to, it’s much tougher,” admitted our attack-minded no.8 post-match when comparing the WSL to Norway’s Toppserien, “but I feel I can run more, be very offensive and do the runs in behind.” Vilde’s neat finish took the sting out of the game, with United playing with real freedom in the closing stages, and so nearly getting a third, which would have lifted us above Brighton in the WSL, based on goals scored. Nevertheless, job done.

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MUW NEWS

ALL SET FOR SOMERSET!

Skinner’s Reds to meet Bridgwater in FA Cup opener

The Reds’ 2021/22 Women’s FA Cup campaign will kick off away to National League side Bridgwater United.

United enter the tournament at this stage along with the 11 other WSL clubs, with our fourth-round tie currently scheduled for Sunday 30 January at Fairfax Park, home of the third-tier side.

At the time of print, kick-off time is still to be confirmed, as is ticket information – keep an eye on ManUtd.com for updates on the tie.

Our opponents from Somerset will become just the second side we’ve

faced from beneath the top two divisions since the creation of United as a professional side in 2018, following our victory against National League North side Burnley at the same stage last season.

At the time of writing, the Robins, as Bridgwater United are known, sit fourth in the National League South, and have already claimed one notable FA Cup scalp this season with a 1-0 win over second-tier Crystal Palace. In the first round they won 4-0 away to New Milton Town, before a 3-0 second-round win at Chichester & Selsey,

meaning they have yet to concede a goal in this season’s competition.

The Reds were knocked out in the fifth round last season, with our inaugural 2018/19 season being the Reds’ best campaign in the FA Cup, when we reached the last eight before losing to Reading in extra-time.

The other fourth-round ties are: Southampton v Bristol City; Newcastle United v Ipswich Town; Plymouth Argyle v Gillingham or Charlton Athletic; Liverpool v Lincoln City; Brighton v Reading; Nottingham Forest v Manchester City; Aston Villa v Chelsea; Billericay Town v Coventry United; Durham v Blackburn Rovers; West Bromwich Albion v Southampton Women’s FC or Exeter City; Sheffield United v West Ham United; Birmingham City v Sunderland; Huddersfield Town v Everton; Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City; Arsenal v London City Lionesses.

RUNDOWN ON THE ROBINS...

While

Originally formed as Yetminster Ladies in 1990, they were renamed Sherborne Ladies three years later (under which guise they played Everton at this stage of the FA Cup in 1997). The club was once again rebranded as Yeovil Town Ladies in 1999. Under this new moniker, the side were accepted into the FA WSL Division 2 (now the Championship) in 2013, winning the title and securing promotion to the top flight in 2016. After finishing bottom of both the Spring Series and the 2017/18 WSL –but avoiding relegation through the licensing application process –they later went into administration and were set to compete in the Championship in 2019/20. This time, however, a licence was denied, and they were instead forced to play in the third tier. More name changes followed – Yeovil Town Women and Yeovil United FC – before the club merged with men’s side Bridgwater Town in March 2021, thus taking up their current title.

The Robins shocked the second-tier Eagles in the third round of the FA Cup

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Our

three

December outings to date

Wednesday 15 December, Walton Hall Park, Continental League Cup, Group B

EVERTON 0

UNITED 2 (D Turner own goal 20, Thomas 23)

United guaranteed progress to the quarter-finals of the 2021/22 Continental Cup with an accomplished 2-0 victory away to Everton on Wednesday night. Manchester City’s tie with Leicester was postponed on the same night, meaning our final position in Group B is still to be settled, although if our city rivals do retake top spot with a win over the Foxes we will still qualify for the last eight, as the best second-placed side in competition.

After a quiet opening 10 minutes to the game on Merseyside, Leah Galton had the first shot on target, heading straight at Toffees’ keeper Courtney Brosnan following good work out wide from Martha Thomas.

Kirsty Hanson then had a sighter, again gathered by Brosnan, but the Reds were becoming increasingly dominant in possession, with captain Katie Zelem pulling the strings from a deep midfield position.

United’s no.10 deserved much of the credit for our opener, although it would not be her name on the scoresheet. When Galton was brought down by Lucy Graham, earning the Everton player a booking, Zelem fizzed the resulting free-kick across the near post, where Danielle Turner could do little but divert it in for an own goal. Thomas then saw a header loop on to the bar but she wouldn’t have to wait long to celebrate as our no.9 slotted beyond Brosnan after a sleek one-two with Zelem.

halves. Referee Leigh Doughty had barely blown his whistle when Hanson gathered possession on the right before striking an effort on to the woodwork.

But Everton, having introduced three new faces at the break, also came out brightly with Anna Anvegard soon forcing Sophie Baggaley to smother a shot.

The home side began to look much more co-ordinated in their press, pinning United back and looking to force us into mistakes in our defensive third. They still struggled to create clear-cut chances though, with Anvegard heading over, and were also vulnerable to quick United breaks, the most threatening coming when Galton cut in from the left before firing wide.

A raft of substitutions made between the 60th and 75th minutes did little to help the game’s rhythm and the Reds were able to close out the win and clean sheet in comfort on what was a good night’s work on Merseyside.

Sunday 12 December, The People’s Pension Stadium, Women’s Super League BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0

UNITED 2 (Ladd 45+1, Boe Risa 69)

United returned to winning ways in the WSL last Sunday with a dominant display and a richly deserved 2-0 win away to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Marc Skinner’s side were on the front foot from the off, with home goalkeeper Megan Walsh called into action early on with a double save to twice deny Vilde Boe Risa.

It looked like the Reds would pick up where we left off after the sides switched

At the other end, the hosts had a chance when Megan Connolly shot over, before Katie Zelem’s long ball over the top picked out Boe Risa. The Norway midfielder was again denied by Walsh, who this time saved with her feet, while Ella Toone’s attempt on the follow up was blocked by a defender.

Hayley Ladd and Boe Risa both had long-range efforts held by Walsh before

Captain Zel takes charge Celebration time

Fuso was a starter

Toone goes close with a half-volley

MATCH ROUND-UP

Ladd opened the scoring in first-half injury time. A short corner led to Toone finding Ona Batlle, whose low ball into the box was expertly flicked into the far corner by the Wales international for her first goal of the campaign.

Boe Risa’s relentless personal quest to get on the scoresheet continued after the break, as Walsh got down well to parry away a powerful hit from the edge of the box. Lucy Staniforth was the next to take aim but Walsh was once again equal to the challenge, and Mary Earps had to be alert to collect Connolly’s free-kick delivery just before the hour, as Victoria Williams lurked at the back post with intent.

But it was Boe Risa’s tireless efforts that were eventually rewarded after 69 minutes. Alessia Russo surged down the right and fired over an inviting ball, with Boe Risa timing her run to perfection to meet the cross and stab the ball into the far corner.

Earps then saved from Ellie Brazil, while Aoife Mannion, Toone and Ladd all went close, but the Reds had already done enough at this point to seal the points.

Sunday 5 December, Leigh Sports Village, Continental League Cup, Group B

UNITED 2 (Russo 47, Zelem 80)

LEICESTER 2 (Howard 32, Flint 79)

Leicester win 4-3 on penalties to claim bonus point

United’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stages of the Continental League Cup were put in the balance after a penalty shoot-out defeat to Leicester, following a 2-2 draw in normal time in what was a competitive encounter at Leigh Sports Village.

The Reds started stronger, with both Katie Zelem and Ona Batlle going close before Hannah Blundell crossed for Lucy Staniforth, who sent her effort narrowly past the Foxes’ post.

Leah Galton had the ball in the net soon afterwards, only for her strike to be ruled out for offside.

Instead, it was the Foxes who broke the deadlock, shortly after the half-hour mark. Jemma Purfield’s delivery found Sophie Howard, who rose highest to flick a header in past Sophie Baggaley.

United pushed hard for an equaliser before half-time. Galton shot narrowly over, while Zelem and the returning Millie Turner – making her first appearance since September after injury – both sent headed efforts too high of the Leicester goal.

But the home fans didn’t have to wait too long for something to cheer once the second half kicked off. Alessia Russo had already had one opening that ended in a mishit finish, before the Lionesses forward slid in to find Galton, then received the ball back and slotted in a first-time finish for her fourth goal of the season across all competitions for the Reds.

Buoyed by the strike, Marc Skinner’s side continued to push forward, and it took a wonderful flying save from goalkeeper Demi Lambourne to prevent Zelem from putting the Reds in front.

However, once again the visitors weathered the storm and retook the lead with 11 minutes remaining. Shortly after spurning a promising one-on-one opportunity, striker Natasha Flint latched on to a loose back pass and beat Baggaley to make it 2-1.

The response was immediate as United found a rapid equaliser. Batlle knocked the ball away from a Leicester defender and into the feet of Zelem, who curled a sublime lofted effort beyond the reach of Lambourne and into the far corner.

The full-time score of 2-2 meant both sides took a point, but there was still a bonus one up for grabs for the shoot-out winners. It would be the Foxes who prevailed, after Zelem and Vilde Boe Risa both had their attempts saved.

With one game of the group left, it left United in second place, sandwiched between Manchester City and Everton, with all three teams on six points.

See p38-39 for full United line-ups for the 2021/22 season

Turner rises highest to win the ball

Galton gets to grips with Sigsworth

Batlle on the ball

Disappointment in the shoot-out, but still a point on the Group B board

#23 ALESSIA RUSSO

ALESSIA RUSSO

Back to full fitness, the 22-year-old has been firing for the Reds this season (not to mention that record-breaking hat-trick for England) – here she talks us through a turbulent two years, and explains why she’s enjoying her football more than ever...

Interview:

Harry Robinson

Let’s start with last Sunday’s win at Brighton – one we imagine has restored confidence in the squad?

Yeah, it was a really important win for us. It was a dominant performance from us and hopefully it’s the start of what’s to come. I feel like we’ve been working hard and building as a team; sometimes results need to be backed up with performances and this was a result which was really backed up by a solid performance from front to back. If we’re being critical, we could have had a few more goals. We created a lot of chances and it’s our job now to make sure we finish them all.

And for Vilde Boe Risa to get her first United goal, converting a great cross from you, everyone must have been delighted for her...

Yeah, I’m so buzzing for Vilde. She’s been working really hard and waiting for her chance and she took it with both hands on Sunday. It was great for her; she was in some great positions throughout the game and to top it off with a goal was really pleasing for her.

Let’s focus on your own season now – how would you rate it so far?

I think it’s going well, but I hope for a lot more to come. I’d hope to be a bit more dominant with performances. As a forward you’re always trying to create and assist goals,

that’s my job as a striker, but obviously three points week in, week out is what we’re fighting for and hopefully along with that will come more goals and assists.

Do you set objectives in terms of goals and assists?

I maybe set a vague number, but when it comes to a Sunday or a midweek game I just focus on that 90 minutes ahead. When I get an opportunity to score or assist, I have to make sure I’m focused on it. And when I look back, if there’s a chance I haven’t taken, it just makes me hungrier to get them in the next game.

It must be satisfying to see the hard work you put in last year, in what was a difficult time, paying off now? It’s amazing. Injuries are horrible, but it’s part of football. It’s made me so much more grateful for game days and training every day with the girls. That’s what I’m loving most about football at the minute, just being on the pitch, being able to improve. I’m really enjoying it.

Before we talk about your time out injured, let’s look back on your early career. You had time at Charlton, Brighton and Chelsea but the big step was moving to the US, aged 17. Tell us a bit about that decision... I’d always thought about America and had it in the back of my mind. I’d always been intrigued about the system of football out there, how it all worked, and I was also interested in continuing my education. When the opportunity arose for me to go the University of North Carolina, it was actually the top-ranked school in my ⊲

“INJURIES ARE HORRIBLE, BUT IT’S PART OF FOOTBALL. IT’S MADE ME SO MUCH MORE GRATEFUL FOR GAME DAYS, JUST BEING ON THE PITCH”

Alessia looked sharp against former club Brighton, providing a second-half assist in our 2-0 win

FACTFILE:

Full name Alessia Mia Teresa Russo

Date of birth 8 February 1999

Place of birth Maidstone, Kent

Position Forward

Youth career

Charlton Athletic, Chelsea Senior/college career

2016-17 Chelsea, 1 game, 0 goals

2017 Brighton & Hove Albion, 9 games, 3 goals

2017-19 North Carolina Tar Heels, 57 games, 28 goals

2020- Manchester United, 18 games, 7 goals

International career

England: 2 caps, 3 goals

head, my first choice. I went out and met all the coaches and players and fell in love with the campus and the environment. I couldn’t say no to it. It’s an experience I look back on with massive pride and not a single regret. It was a key moment in my career. Maybe some would have said it was the wrong decision and I should have stayed in the WSL but for me, whether it’s football or life experience, it was just the perfect mould I needed at that time.

How did it meet up to your expectations?

It was a bit more overwhelming than I thought. I was obviously aware of the college system and football, but I wasn’t aware of how well-supported the women’s game was out there and how much college sports meant to

the community and how many fans you would attract. On campus, you were really like a role model to other students, and I didn’t realise it was going to be anything like that. It was amazing to be able to be at a university with so many other talented athletes, whether that’s in basketball, American football, lacrosse – all the teams across the school were competing at a national level. That was also exciting for me because you’d share experiences with other world-class athletes.

Do you now watch other sports like those?

Yeah, I’m a big basketball fan now. I’m a huge Michael Jordan fan. He actually went to UNC as well and that’s the reason I wear no.23 at United.

It was a very competitive environment, right, with coaches keen to push you hard?

Anson [Dorrance], my coach there, is known for creating a really competitive environment. He has people called ‘managers’ at training every day – they’re student volunteers who want to help the women’s soccer team and they stand at training every day and tally your successful passes, your shots, your misses. At the end of training, they’d stick it up on a wall for everyone to see, ranking you 1-30. You could see where you were in each different area. When maybe you weren’t playing or things weren’t going as well, you could see where you

Alessia’s best year in the States came in 2019, when she hit 13 goals in 24 games for the Tar Heels before the pandemic left her assessing her future

“I’M AN AMBITIOUS PERSON AND [UNITED] WAS EXACTLY THE RIGHT STEP I NEEDED AFTER COLLEGE”

were off by the rankings and try and fix it yourself. It taught me a lot as a player, and I like to see things like that; it motivates me even more to push myself.

It probably also teaches you to focus on your own development and not rely on the coaches... Massively, yeah, and you couldn’t complain either because if you were ranked no.1 in every category, you would be playing. That was his philosophy and for a player, that’s exciting because it shows if you work hard, you get your reward.

Your performances there got you noticed for England. How did your first call-up come about?

He phoned me while I was in a geology class! I thought, ‘Oh my god, why is Phil Neville calling me while I’m in class?!’, but it was obviously because of the time difference. I left class and answered and couldn’t believe it – I was so excited.

Did you go back to class?

I definitely didn’t go back to class! I phoned my mum and dad, then went and met my friends and told them too.

You left UNC early to come to United in September 2020 – how was that decision made?

I left early due to Covid. It was a really tough decision. In hindsight, it’s worked out amazingly but to leave such a great place, a place full of people I knew, where I felt I was really developing and was loved, it was hard. But at the same time, you do have to move on from things like that. I’ll always have a huge connection to UNC and go back when I can, but to be offered an opportunity to come to United is one I couldn’t turn down. I’m an ambitious person and it was exactly the right step I needed after college.

You made an impression here quickly with goals, assists and a Player of the Month nomination, but then injury came. An injury probably in the most difficult time to get one – a pandemic and lockdown... I’d be lying if I said it was easy. It was really tough. It was frustrating and hard to wrap my head around, but I learnt a lot from it. It will shape me for years to come. I was surrounded by such amazing team-mates. That can go unnoticed but that’s what pushed me through. I was living with Millie [Turner] and Ella [Toone] and even if you’d had the worst day of rehab ever, going home with those two would lighten the mood and that’s huge. To be around such a supportive group of girls got me through.

Are there things you began to do – good habits you developed – in that time out that you’ll carry on with? It’s completely changed me as a player in terms of how I look after my body. Before my injury, I was so focused on getting better on the pitch but now I see how important it is to get in at least two heavy lifts a week. It’s also changed my outlook. I was harsh on myself pre-injury, always wanting more – which I do still want now, I’m my own biggest critic – but I live in the moment more when ⊲

ALESSIA RUSSO

Derby delight for Russo as she finds the target against City in October

THE MANCUNIAN WAY.

Ella and Alessia have been linking up nicely for club and country in recent weeks, with Russo’s 11-minute hat-trick for the Lionesses being the fastest by any England player in history

“WHEN YOU GET A TASTE OF THE NATIONAL TEAM, IT LEAVES YOU WANTING MORE EVERY TIME”

I’m playing. I focus on enjoying the game, enjoying the moment because when it’s taken away from you, it’s really hard. With football, you can’t get too low or too high, you have to be in the middle. That’s where my mindset is now.

Okay, let’s talk England. Playing for your country is one thing, but scoring a hat-trick off the bench, as you did against Latvia last month, is special, and surely big motivation for the future? Absolutely. The past two camps I’ve just been happy to be in and around and involved in the national team again, but when you get a taste of it, it leaves you wanting more every time. Now I need to come back to club football, push even harder, work even harder and get more opportunities.

You were playing with your United team-mates that night against Latvia – a clean sheet for Mary, a debut for Katie, plus a goal for Ella… We talk about it as a group; we love going on England camps and having a group of United girls. It’s so nice to have that support there. I was more happy for Zel then I

was for me in that moment because I know how hard it’s been for her, how much she’s worked for that moment, and when she came on, I forgot about everything in the game because I was so excited for her.

Are there other players in that England camp that you try to learn things from every time you’re there?

As a striker, you have to learn off Ellen White. She’s a prolific goalscorer and some of her achievements are inspiring for me as a young striker. I look up to her in training because of that and how she is as a person. She’s one of the humblest people I’ve met; that’s a key factor to her success and how she carries herself is amazing.

The Euros are coming up, you and Ella are great mates and now combining for both United and England. For both of you, it must be a huge part of your motivation to make sure you’re playing at the tournament? You have to have your eyes set on the Euros. We have such talent in England, especially in the forward line, and all I can focus on is my performances with United and when I get a chance for my country, to just relish the moment. I’d love to be selected for the Euros; I know Ella would, too. That’s something we work hard for every day.

And finally, let’s turn attention to our next game, with Aston Villa the opponents. What are you expecting? Every game in this league is tough at the minute and you can tell that with the [small] difference between top and bottom. Villa are always challenging; we expect they might set up quite defensively and that poses us the challenge of breaking them down. We’re excited, with our fans back at Leigh, and we can’t wait.

If you had a message to those fans in attendance for our final game of 2021, what would it be?

Thanks for your support, as always. It never goes unnoticed. We’re grateful for you home and away and we hope to hear you cheering clear and loud. ⬤

White is a fellow forward who Russo has the utmost respect for

MEET THE SQUAD ▶

SOPHIE BAGGALEY

Born: 29/11/1996

Nationality: English

Trivia: Helped Reds take five League Cup points from first two games, v Durham and Man City.

MARIA THORISDOTTIR

Born : 05/06/1993

Nationality: Norwegian

Trivia: Approaching one-year anniversary with club after joining from Chelsea in January.

HANNAH BLUNDELL

Born: 25/05/1994

Nationality: English

Trivia: Her final start for old club Chelsea was in a 2-0 WSL win v Aston Villa, back in March.

KIRSTY SMITH

Born: 06/01/1994

Nationality: Scottish

Trivia: Got her first competitive action of the campaign in the League Cup win v Man City.

MARY EARPS

Born: 07/03/1993

Nationality: English

Trivia: England international made her 50th appearance for the Reds in November.

MARTHA HARRIS

Born: 19/08/1994

Nationality: English

Trivia: Won WSL with Liverpool in 2014 when she was also named in the Team of the Year.

AOIFE MANNION

Born: 24/09/1995

Nationality : English

Trivia: Made her senior debut for Villa in 2012 before joining their city rivals Birmingham.

ONA BATLLE

Born : 10/06/1999

Nationality: Spanish

Trivia: Sealed memorable League Cup win v Man City with late winner at LSV.

MILLIE TURNER

Born: 07/07/1996

Nationality: English

Trivia: Returned from injury for first game since September in our League Cup tie v Leicester.

VILDE BOE RISA

Born: 13/07/1995

Nationality: Norwegian

Trivia: Scored her first United goal in last weekend’s WSL victory away to Brighton.

HAYLEY LADD

Born: 06/10/1996

National team: Wales

Trivia: Provided an assist in each of our two WSL victories over Aston Villa last season.

CARRIE JONES

Born: 04/09/2003

Nationality: Welsh

Trivia: Wales international recently signed first pro contract with United, running until 2023.

ELLA TOONE

Born: 02/09/1999

Nationality: English

Trivia: Has scored in three of her previous four appearances against today’s opponents.

LEAH GALTON

Born: 24/05/1994

Nationality: English

Trivia: Got the opener when we won 2-0 away to Aston Villa last season, one year ago this month.

KATIE ZELEM

Born: 20/01/1996

Nationality : English

Trivia: United skipper made her senior England debut v Latvia last month.

KIRSTY HANSON

Born: 17/04/1998

National team: Scotland

Trivia: Her goal in the 3-0 win against Villa in March was United’s 100th at LSV.

JACKIE GROENEN

Born: 17/12/1994

Nationality: Dutch

Trivia: Still recovering after hamstring injury on international duty.

LUCY STANIFORTH

Born: 02/10/1992

Nationality : English

Trivia: Flicked in from close range v City to register first WSL goal for United.

MARTHA THOMAS

Born : 31/05/1996

National team: Scotland

Trivia: Hit four goals in four games for Scottish national team in 2021.

IVANA FERREIRA FUSO

Born: 12/03/2001

Nationality: Brazilian

Trivia: Opened her scoring account at Durham before adding a second, v City.

ALESSIA RUSSO

Born: 08/02/1999

Nationality : English

Trivia: Came off bench to net England’s fastest-ever hat-trick in November.

THE MANCUNIAN WAY.

KATIE ZELEM

Victory in our previous WSL game will only increase belief as we walk on to the pitch today, with another three points the sole target to round off 2021...

The year 2021 has certainly been a memorable one in a lot of ways. For me, making my England debut was a massive personal highlight, and something I’ll be looking to build on going into a Euros year, which of course will be played in England, including fixtures right here in Leigh.

But the biggest highlight for me this year has been having you, the fans, back at matches. Football is nothing without you. We all had to adapt to different things throughout the pandemic in day-to-day life and we kind of got used to playing in matches behind closed doors. But having you all back in the stadium, as well as our family and friends cheering us on, is such a great feeling. You’re so important to us and what we do.

So we’re looking forward to playing our final match of the year in front of you all this afternoon. We want to finish 2021 well and Aston Villa will be a tough test. A lot of teams, wherever they sit in the league, are taking points off others and battling hard for everything. We need to be on our game today.

I was really pleased with our performance against Brighton last weekend – it was one of our best displays so far this season. I knew we had a lot of shots, but I didn’t

know it was as many as 30! That’s certainly something we need to work on, converting our chances, but we believe in ourselves and our ability to do that.

There’s lots to look forward to in 2022, including a great FA Cup tie at the end of January against Bridgwater United. It’s an incredible achievement for them having beaten Crystal Palace to get to this stage and we’re excited to play against them in the weeks ahead.

For now, our focus is on Villa in the league. Enjoy the game this afternoon – and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to every one of you.

Bridgwater United will be fresh opponents for Katie and co next month

Barclays is celebrating 20 years of commitment to the game we all love, first as title sponsor of the Premier League, and now the Barclays FA Women’s Super League. And it’s still all to play for.

Visit Barclays.com/20years to see the full story

Barclays is celebrating 20 years of commitment to the game we all love, first as title sponsor of the Premier League, and now the Barclays FA Women’s Super League. And it’s still all to play for.

Barclays is celebrating 20 years of commitment to the game we all love, first as title sponsor of the Premier League, and now the Barclays FA Women’s Super League. And it’s still all to play for.

Visit Barclays.com/20years to see the full story

Visit Barclays.com/20years to see the full story

SANTA’S HELPERS

United Women players join Reds from around the globe to unite in an effort to help communities in need throughout the festive period

For the second consecutive year, Manchester United Foundation will be teaming up with FareShare Greater Manchester to provide 400,000 meals for families in need this winter as part of its Santa’s Red Helpers Christmas appeal.

FareShare GM is the local branch of the UK’s biggest food charity, working to divert food donations to frontline charities and schools, and collaborated with the Foundation during the 2020 festive season to help those badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. This year, 170 tonnes of food will be provided thanks to a £100,000 donation from Manchester United and the club’s charitable foundation, with fans also being encouraged to spread some cheer by making their own contributions.

“We’re extremely grateful for the ongoing support from Manchester United FC and the Foundation,” noted Miranda Kaunang, head of development at FareShare GM. “Given the highly challenging circumstances many local families and individuals are facing, it is vitally important that the communities we serve are helped as much as possible.”

United’s chief operating officer, Collette Roche, added: “We are proud of the work Manchester United Foundation does to support our local

community; this has never been more important than now with so many households facing a tough winter.”

As well as the partnership with FareShare, the Foundation has also forged positive relationships with various other groups over the past 18 months, including Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST), The Red Army and Manchester United Women Supporters’ Club (MUWSC).

These fan organisations will be joining the Santa’s Red Helpers cause, while many of the 240+ official supporters’ clubs around the world will back local charities to help spread the impact of the initiative.

The Santa’s Red Helpers campaign will also document a series of Foundation-funded Christmas activities and parties for young people at partner schools and projects, and United players have joined the cause by wrapping presents and recording messages for patients at local hospitals. “The opportunities that the young people have enjoyed is what the Foundation is all about,” said school partnership officer Matt Fejos. “It was important for us to give them some amazing days that they won’t forget.”

To get involved or for more info, visit: mufoundation.org/santas-red-helpers

Ella Toone and (inset) Leah Galton do their bit for the campaign

The Foundation continues to support food charity FareShare

Under Carla Ward’s wily leadership, Villa are looking good to continue their upward trajectory, helped by a raft of summer signings...

ASTON VILLA

Aston Villa may have struggled to maintain the form that delivered seven points from their first three games of the 2021/22 season, but Carla Ward’s side remain one of the WSL’s most improved teams.

“Outside of [last season’s top four], you’ve got another league that all of the teams, ourselves included, will be looking to finish as high up as possible,” said Ward earlier this season when asked about her ambitions at Bescot Stadium – the home of Walsall where the Villans play. Ward, who crossed the city from Birmingham in the summer, has certainly built on Villa’s first WSL campaign, the 37-year-old overseeing an extensive recruitment drive which brought 10 new arrivals over the summer.

It’s testament to Ward’s coaching prowess that the team gelled so quickly. New arrivals right-back Sarah Mayling and central midfielder Remi Allen scored in a come-from-behind win over Leicester on the opening day of the season, the latter repeating the trick with an injury-time equaliser at West Ham. Next up, Australian international forward Emily Gielnik – now fully recovered from a broken toe – bagged the winner against Brighton, the Australian international’s first goal for the club since joining from Swedish side Vittsjo GIK in the summer.

Ward has favoured a fluid 4-2-3-1 system for much of this season. Mayling and Maz Pacheco provide youthful verve and attacking intent from right-right and left-back respectively, safe in the knowledge that Meaghan Sargeant and Anita Asante – who scored a fine header in the 1-0 November win over city neighbours Birmingham at St Andrew’s – will marshal central areas.

Further forward, Swiss international winger Alisha Lehmann has impressed since her transfer from West Ham. A rapid, tricky operator – no player has been fouled more often in the WSL this term – the 22-year-old scored twice in the 7-0 League Cup shellacking of Sunderland a fortnight ago. That Sunderland victory helped restore some confidence at Villa, who had lost five of their previous seven games in all competitions. The Villans then ran high-flying Spurs close in the WSL last weekend, producing a determined display, as midfield general Allen struck her third WSL goal of the season from Lehmann’s cross to open the scoring in the eventual 2-1 defeat.

“Did we deserve to lose the game? Absolutely not,” said Ward at full-time. “They’re hurting in the dressing room. If we’re going to keep improving, we need to cut down on our errors.”

THE MANAGER CARLA WARD

Such is Ward’s will to succeed, she didn’t think twice about crossing the Birmingham divide in May. The Isle of Wight-born boss worked wonders with Birmingham last term, guiding a side in dire need of a rebuild, with only 10 retained senior players in August 2020, to an improbable relegation survival. Shortlisted for the 2020/21 WSL Manager of the Year award, the former Sheffield United boss – where she was equally impressive in her first role – has made a solid start at the Bescot, thanks to a bright mix of motivation and tactical acumen.

ONE TO WATCH REMI ALLEN

Allen has continued where she left off last term – the all-action 31-year-old midfielder was the shining star for hometown club Leicester as they won the Championship – and she scored the winner on the opening day against her old club. First breaking through with the Foxes in 2008, Allen spent two-and-a-half seasons at Notts County from 2011, before providing the engine to Birmingham’s run to the 2013/14 Champions League semis. After four seasons with Reading from 2016, she joined Villa this summer after a season back with the Foxes.

LEADER AT THE BACK ANITA ASANTE

A talismanic figure at the heart of the defence, the 70-time England international is a vital cog in Ward’s plan to establish the club among the WSL elite. Joining Arsenal aged 13, Asante was central to their 2006/07 quadruple-winning season, before crossing London to Chelsea in 2008. After spending three years in the US from 2009, Asante returned to Europe in 2012, winning the Swedish Cup with both Goteborg and Rosengard. After another two seasons at Chelsea from 2018, she signed for newly promoted Villa in June 2020, the 36-year-old’s leadership crucial to her team’s ambitions.

trail 1973 2004

When the team was first created, as Solihull FC. They affiliated to Aston Villa in 1989, becoming Villa Aztecs, and became the official Aston Villa women’s side in 1996.

Prior to winning promotion to the WSL in the 2019/20 season, it was 2004 when the Birmingham club last played in England’s top tier.

10th

Villa’s WSL position last season – one point and one place above city rivals Birmingham, with a final-day draw at Arsenal securing that position.

4

Goals scored last season by top scorer Shania Hayles in all competitions – a figure already beaten in 2021/22, with Remi Allen on five goals.

FESTIVE REDS

Here are some Christmas-themed United Women stars – can you think of any others?

Santa Claus is coming to Toone

Hayley Ladd-vent calendar

Ivana FuSnow

On the (Stani)fourth day of Christmas

Martha Christmas (Harris or Thomas!)

Ona one-horse open sleigh

LANGUAGE LESSON

Match the holiday greetings to the Reds player!

Merry Christmas! ◌

Prettige Kerst! ◌

God jul! ◌

Feliz Natal! ◌

¡Feliz navidad! ◌

◌ Groenen (Dutch)

◌ Batlle (Spanish)

◌ Ferreira Fuso (Portuguese)

◌ Zelem (English)

◌ Thorisdottir (Norwegian)

Five things to look forward to in 2022

Merry Christmas! (Zelem – English);

Kerst! (Groenen – Dutch); God jul! (Thorisdottir – Norwegian);

Natal! (Ferreira Fuso – Portuguese); ¡Feliz navidad! (Batlle – Spanish)

Our FA Cup adventure begins – we start with an away game v Bridgwater United

Another Manchester derby date –this one is at City’s Academy Stadium

The 2021/22 WSL season comes to an end – where will we finish?

The Reds to play at Old Trafford –this time with fans at the game!

Euro 2022 matches to be played at Old Trafford and Leigh Sports Village

HALF-TIME QUIZ

1. Which current squad member hit a brace in our famous 12-0 win over Villa in September 2018?

2. And which other current Red opened the scoring in our 5-0 win v Villa later that season, which secured promotion to the Women’s Super League (below)?

3. Aside from Villa, who are the other team against whom we’ve hit double figures in a single game?

WE ARE GOING UP!

AFTER SEALING PROMOTION ON WEDNESDAY, TODAY’S TARGET IS THE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE

4. Other than Aston Villa, name the other two clubs we’ve faced whose names start and end with the same letter (not including ‘Football Club’ etc). This picture (right) might help...

v CRYSTAL PALACE LADIES

5. Who is the only member of the current United squad to have previously played for today’s opponents?

6. What was the aggregate score between the two sides in last season’s WSL meetings?

7. True or false: the Villans have already won more league games this season than in 2020/21.

8. Villa are our final opponents of this calendar year – who were the last team we faced in 2020 (right)?

9. And which club have we faced most often in 2021, with four meetings in all competitions across the calendar year?

10. Which current WSL side were the first visitors to Leigh Sports Village to face United in 2021?

11. How many players have made their United debut since the start of this year (above): six, eight or 10?

12. And of those players, who has made the most appearances to date for the Reds?

1. Kirsty Hanson; 2. Millie Turner; 3. Leicester City; 4. Charlton Athletic and Liverpool; 5. Aoife Mannion;

United; 7. False – it’s level (three each); 8. Bristol City; 9. Everton; 10. Birmingham City; 11. Eight; 12. Maria Thorisdottir

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF

APPEARANCES, GOALS & TABLES

TODAY’S OTHER WSL FIXTURES

Chelsea v West Ham (12.15pm)

Leicester v Birmingham (2pm)

Manchester City v Reading (2pm)

Tottenham v Everton (2pm)

Arsenal v Brighton (6.45pm)

Pictured: Champions Chelsea will be out to bounce back on home soil today following their 1-0 loss at Reading

Boe Risa became our 12th scorer of ’21/22 last Sunday

Staniforth reached 30 Reds appearances in the win at Brighton

FIXTURES & LINE-UPS, 2021/22

FOLLOW THE REDS ▶

Boye-Hlorkah

Hutton

Haigh

Gemma Davison

Marisa Ewers

Shania Hayles

Sian

Isobel

ASTON VILLA WOMEN