BARCLAYS WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE
WEDNESDAY 19 APRIL 2023 • 7.15PM
_ BIG PICTURE
_ INSIDE STORIES
LAST TIME OUT
_
_ CAPTAIN’S COLUMN
_ UNITED SQUAD, 2022/23
_ UNITED FOUNDATION
_ THE ACADEMY
_ JUNIOR REDS & QUIZ
_ FAN MESSAGES
_ 2022/23 STATISTICS
The first five years Over the next three issues, we’ll be breaking down United’s A-Z story so far...
The opposition With one trophy already in the bag, Jonas Eidevall’s Gunners are targeting two more.
MATCH PROGRAMME TEAM
Editor
Photography
_ MUW RESULTS & FIXTURES
_ REDS ON REWIND: 2019
MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB
Hello and welcome back to Leigh Sports Village.
Well, where to start. I’m incredibly proud of everyone involved with Manchester United that we will be going to our very first Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley in May. The mentality, application and resilience of the players and staff to get us to this point in the season has been second to none.
We didn’t make it easy for ourselves against Brighton on Saturday evening though; far from it. Moments of quality and composure, especially from Rachel Williams late on, saw us through the semi-final in the end.
As always, you were incredible in the stands. Your unwavering support, even when we’re not at our best like on Saturday, pushes us over the line, pushes us to raise our level. You really are the best fans in the country and we can’t wait to see a sea of red along Wembley Way and inside the national stadium next month. It will be an incredibly special day for us all down in London.
Before then though, we have league business to attend to and another big match tonight, this time against Arsenal. Jonas Eidevall and his side come here in excellent form – they are in the semi-finals of the Champions League, in contention for the Women’s Super League title and already with the Continental Tyres League Cup in their trophy cabinet.
We have no fear, though. We know Arsenal’s strengths and where they can hurt us, but we’re confident in our abilities to defend against that and we have belief in ourselves: belief that we can control the game, belief that we can be consistent in our approach, and belief that we can show aggression throughout.
One thing I loved about our game against Arsenal at the Emirates in November was that we played without fear. We played with attitude and personality. Even when they scored their second goal, we dominated the ball, made them run, made them work. Ultimately, it paid off.
That’s what I want to see from us again tonight, this time on home soil: if we play like that, we can beat any team in this league.
Enjoy the game.
Well, we know where we’ll be on the second Sunday of next month – the same place at this lot! The national stadium in London will be the destination for us all after the Reds overcame Brighton & Hove Albion in Saturday’s Women’s FA Cup semi-final at Leigh Sports Village. While it was far from straightforward against the visiting Seagulls – who held a half-time lead, and then took just four minutes to level the scores in the 75th minute after Alessia Russo had finally edged us in front – a nailbiting tie would thankfully have a very happy conclusion after substitute Rachel Williams calmly slotted the ball past Lydia Williams in the 89th minute, just as extra-time was looming. It meant a fifth straight win in all competitions for the Reds – the first time we’ve achieved such a feat since January 2022 – but more importantly it confirmed a maiden trip to ‘Wem-ber-lee’ for United Women. If you didn’t already receive an email on Monday regarding sales arrangements for the final, keep checking ManUtd.com/muwtickets for updates. Will the competition attendance record of 49,094 be beaten this year... what do you reckon?
Twenty-five games down, six to play. With our 2022/23 run-in now confirmed, that’s the lie of the land as we enter what the pundits are contractually obliged to call ‘the business end of the season’.
It’s difficult to scan through our remaining fixtures, as well as the current WSL standings, and not be captivated about the possibilities of what could happen in the weeks ahead. There are four teams, all separated by just three points, chasing the title – but also the
consolation prize of a Champions League spot by finishing at least third. Two of those teams – Chelsea and our opponents tonight, Arsenal – have a game in hand on fourth-placed City and the current leaders, United, but that extra game is effectively against each other on the penultimate weekend, so points will have to be dropped. Either United or City will also slip up, when we go head-to-head in the 12th Manchester derby on 21 May in Leigh, while thrown into the mix as
far as Marc Skinner’s Reds are concerned is the following: a tricky away trip to Aston Villa (who have one WSL defeat in their last eight), a home outing against Tottenham (who could be fighting for their lives near the bottom), and a final-day away trip to Prenton Park to face Liverpool – who might not have much to play for in mid-table by then, but certainly won’t want to see their traditional club rivals celebrating anything on their own patch.
United were last in WSL action 18 days ago, as we won 4-0 away to Brighton
Oh, and if all that isn’t enough potential drama to fill a Netflix mini-series, how about the small matter of the Women’s FA Cup final on Sunday 14 May, where the Double-chasing Reds will face Emma Hayes’s Treble-chasing Chelsea.
But let’s drop the hypothetical permutations for the time being and focus on the here and now, and this evening’s visit of Arsenal –who themselves are chasing three trophies, having won the Conti Cup and with a Champions League trip to Wolfsburg next up on Saturday.
Jonas Eidevall’s Gunners are a formidable side, who have overcome some injuries to key players (see p32) to really find their groove again in recent weeks, having started 2023 in disappointing fashion by their lofty standards. Such is their array of attacking talent, Arsenal have had 13 different goalscorers in the WSL this
season, with Frida Maanum leading the way with seven. The Reds’ have had 14 in the top flight, however, with the goals coming from all directions (and so often assisted by a full-back, with Ona Batlle loading the bullets for others to fire all season long – as she also did in the FA Cup on Saturday).
As such, a fascinating tactical battle awaits tonight as the two title-chasers seek to nullify each other’s threat. Barring a big loss we’ll remain top until the last day of April, whatever happens elsewhere between now and then – but boy, what we’d give to stretch our advantage at the summit with three priceless points. Let’s go!
Adriana Leon is to spend the remainder of the campaign on loan to National Women’s Soccer League side Portland Thorns.
Adriana joined United last summer and has made nine appearances, scoring three goals, all here in Leigh – one against Brighton in October’s WSL victory, followed by a pair in December’s
cup win against Sheffield United. The move stands to give the 30-year-old Canadian forward more regular playing time ahead of the World Cup.
With so much at stake, demand for tickets is expected to be high for United’s remaining WSL fixtures, with our final home outing, against Manchester City on 21 May, now sold out. At the time of print there is availability in both the South Stand and the East Stand for our next home game here, however, against Tottenham on 7 May (please note new kick-off time of 12.30pm due to live BBC coverage). But next up for Marc Skinner’s side is the away trip to Bescot Stadium in Walsall, a week on Friday (28 April). There is still availability in the away end behind the goal – tickets are £10 adults, £7.50 for those aged 14-17, and £5 for under-14s. The 7.15pm kick-off will also be broadcast live on BBC. For more details or to book, visit ManUtd.com/ muwtickets, while coach travel for home and away fixtures can be found at oneclubunitedtravel.co.uk.
RECAP OF THE REDS’ MOST RECENT FIXTURE
Sat 15 April, 5.15pm, FA Cup semi-final
Galton 46, Russo 71, Williams 89
Earps og 36, Carter 75
United reached the Vitality Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley after beating Brighton & Hove Albion in an eventful early-evening tie at Leigh Sports Village.
United dominated possession in the first half but Brighton’s defence stood strong with Emma Kullberg putting in some key tackles to keep United out.
Lucia Garcia had United’s first chance but miscommunication between her and Alessia Russo led to an easy pick-up for Brighton goalkeeper Lydia Williams.
Garcia was the brightest player on the pitch for much of the first half. A one-two with Hayley Ladd was blocked before Garcia once again tested Williams.
Just before the half-hour mark, Alessia Russo spun in the area after the ball was chested down by Garcia. Quick reactions from Williams saw her tip Russo’s shot over.
Despite the chances, it was the Seagulls who went 1-0 up on 36 minutes. Veatriki Sarri raced down the right, sending a shot towards Mary Earps, with the ball going in after a deflection off the keeper’s hands.
United came out after half-time with something to prove, and Leah Galton soon found the Brighton net. Battle’s impressive run was followed by a perfect ball which left Galton with an easy finish.
The Reds came close to getting a second just minutes later, when Ella Toone’s strike dipped just over the crossbar. United continued to push forward and substitute Martha Thomas got on the end of a cross into the box but she couldn’t get power behind it and the ball was cleared.
On 71 minutes, Katie Zelem slipped the ball to Russo who took her time on the edge of the area before striking a fine shot into the top corner to give the Reds the lead.
While United fans had started to sing about Wembley, Brighton had other ideas. Just four minutes later, Danielle Carter wrestled Millie Turner off the ball to find the net and level the scores once again.
In a dramatic finale, Zelem won the ball in midfield and found sub Rachel Williams, who remained calm to slot the ball home and send LSV into an explosion of noise.
UNITED (4-2-3-1): Earps; Batlle, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell; Ladd, Zelem; Galton (Mannion 90), Garcia (Thomas 61), Toone; Russo (Williams 78)
Subs not used: Baggaley, Tounkara, Riviere, Cascarino, Boe Risa, Parris
BRIGHTON (4-2-3-1): Williams; Fox, Kullberg, Morse, Pattinson; Sarri (Green 59), Bance (Carter 59); Terland (Connolly 58), Zigiotti Olme, Robinson (Visalli 90); Lee
Subs not used: Walsh, Stefanovic, Park, Williams
Referee: Kirsty Dowle Att: 4,096
How has the break been for you, Lucia?
I’m so happy because I’ve had four days to switch off my mind to go back to Spain to see my family. It’s so important for me, and to get these days back to Spain has been so lovely and I’m so happy for that. But now it’s time to switch on to think about the next matches.
You speak about rest – how important is that mentally, as well as physically?
To be part of our team and to play a match you have to be fresh and to refresh your mind – your mind is as important as your body. That’s so important for professional footballers.
Just before we look ahead to what is no doubt going to be an exciting end of the season, we have to ask you about last month and your goals at Old Trafford. What did they mean to you?
It was lovely to score at Old Trafford. It was a big pitch! It was a tough match but we enjoyed it. It was lovely to score but the most important thing was the win for the team.
Also in March, you came off the bench to score against Leicester, so all three of your March goals came with you making an impact almost straight away. What is key to being able to come off the bench and have an impact so quickly? When you don’t play, I think people think there’s anger because you don’t play, but it’s not like that. When I play
HER
FULL NAME
Lucia Garcia CordobaDATE OF BIRTH
14 July 1998
PLACE OF BIRTH
Barakaldo, Basque Country, Spain
YOUTH CAREER
Oviedo Moderno
SENIOR CAREER
2013-16 Oviedo Moderno, 63 games, 19 goals
2016-22 Athletic Club (Bilbao), 116 games, 63 goals
2021- Manchester United, 21 games, 6 goals
INTERNATIONAL CAREER
Spain (below): 37 caps, 9 goals
in the line-up or off the bench, I try to do my best. The last few goals I scored it was when I came off the bench. But the key is that when I play, or when I don’t play, is to play as I know. It’s true I came on these games and scored but I think it’s just lucky!
We’re sure it’s skill as much as luck. March was a great month for the team, in the WSL and FA Cup. You were one of three players, along with Alessia Russo and Ona Batlle, to be nominated for our own Player of the Month Award, and you received nearly a third of the votes from the fans – how much does that support mean from the supporters? To be on that list with players like the one you’ve said and for the work we did in that month, I think the whole team works every day to get those things, and we train every day to do our best.
You’re coming up to nearly a year here now in Manchester. Do you feel settled in England’s north west?
Some days I think yes, [other] days I think no! So I don’t have the answers. But so far, so good. I think I have to settle down even better but for now, I am okay.
We can imagine it was a big move for you, and we know you’re from a large family, being a quadruplet with three brothers. Have your siblings been able to come over to watch any of your games? They haven’t been able to watch a game, but one brother visited me two weeks ago. It’s lovely to see him and I can visit them so I’m so happy. For now, they haven’t been able to come [for a game], but I hope soon!
No doubt your team-mates will have played an important role in helping you settle here – especially Ona, who we know you’re close to... Yes, first of all, I think the team is like a family because we are all friends. First friends and then we can show what we can do on the pitch. That’s important to be part of this team. And of course, Ona is one of my best friends on the team. She is funny and she’s helped me to settle better in the team and in Manchester, so I’m so happy to get her on my team.
Considering you’ve not even been here for a year we can say that your English is very good! Have you been learning the language while you’ve been over here?
No, not really! When I came here my English was worse but I think if you are here and you try to improve, you can. I have improved in the last year and I am trying to get the first level [qualification], but it is not the same as when you study it at school.
Have you picked up any English or Mancunian phrases?
I think I have, yes – sayings like “hold your horses” and “it’s only a bump in the road”. I have a lot more but I can’t remember now.
Is there anything that’s surprised you about the English game? How does it compare to the top league in Spain? The most different thing is the intensity in the match because [in England] there are transitions all the time. In Spain, maybe we will have more control of the ball. We don’t run and I think in the UK we run up down up down all the time. So I think physically is one of the biggest changes between the leagues.
Let’s talk about the run-in. What has been the message from Marc Skinner going into these final few weeks? Basically, we are still in two competitions and we can be in
a third next year [by qualifying for the Champions League]. So basically fight for the two main things we have this year – that is the league and the FA Cup. We must fight for them.
We’re in a title race and have a real chance of winning the FA Cup. These must be the kind of ambitions you had in coming to United…
Yeah, this is a big club, we should be as high as possible in the league. I believe in this team. It’s the reason why I came here; I had this expectation when I came here.
After the Brighton semi-final we’re quickly back into the WSL against Arsenal. It’s a very exciting title race, isn’t it, with four teams involved. Have you ever been involved in anything like this?
To be honest, no. I think the season is so tough. We are all so tight at the top of the league and we have to fight every match to get into the top three. It’s so tight and I think that shows [the quality of] the WSL, so we must fight every week.
The Champions League is a competition you played in before with Athletic Club. How much would it mean to compete in that competition again for United?
“I BELIEVE IN THIS TEAM. IT’S THE REASON WHY I CAME HERE... I HAD THIS EXPECTATION WHEN I CAME HERE”
I’m really fighting to play Champions League with Manchester United. At my last club, I only played once [in the Champions League], so I hope to play in it more with Manchester United. Obviously, it’s our goal for us to try to get in the Champions League so we have to fight for that.
Our home meeting with Arsenal could prove crucial to our hopes. What do you think will be key to getting the three points under the lights at Leigh Sports Village?
I think this is one of the matches we need to win. This is a key match because that kind of game decides maybe the end of the league, like the position. So we have to fight that match and it’s going to be a tough game. Both teams will have enough chances. The chances we create could be key.
Arsenal have had injuries to two key players this season, but they’re still up there near the top of the WSL, while they’re into the semi-finals of the Champions League. You must admire the season that they’ve had and the effort that their players have put in as well? Yeah, they have had two big injuries to two great players
like [Vivianne] Miedema and [Beth] Mead, but I think they are a good team and it shows for many players. I think they are showing they are a big team, which is why they are in the Champions League semi-finals. They are in a good way right now, but we have a chance to beat them.
We did beat them at the Emirates earlier this season, of course. How much confidence does that result give the team?
That match away was amazing. We played a good performance, but I think this is another match, a different situation and now we have to fight, we have to be us and be together on the pitch. I hope we get the same result.
Our travelling fans at the Emirates were brilliant, and they will no doubt play an important role for us again at Leigh Sports Village, with all four sides of the stadium open...
Yeah, I think for us they’re superb; they are essential for us. As I’ve said before, they are our 12th player. I hope they support us as always for this game. ●
Below: our exciting no.17 is popular with the fans
Right: in action for former side Athletic Club in January 2021
“AT
I HOPE TO PLAY IN IT MORE WITH UNITED. WE HAVE TO FIGHT FOR THAT”
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A comprehensive, science-based program to help deliver a cleaner and safer stadium and training grounds for their fans, visitors, players and staff.
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Wembley, here we come! What an incredible feeling knowing that we’ll be walking out at Wembley Stadium, representing Manchester United in our first FA Cup final next month. It’s another piece of history for us as a group.
It was tough going against Brighton on Saturday. They played well and made us battle for everything. Having got the result, we’re so excited and determined now to go all the way. Getting to the final is just the start. We’re not going there to make up the numbers; we want to be bringing that trophy back to Manchester. That would be an incredible moment.
There’s a lot of football to be played between now and then, though. So myself and the girls remain focused, keeping our feet on the ground. We have a job to do in the Women’s Super League and that’s our priority now.
And tonight is a big match, as all of our remaining league fixtures will be. One of the
highlights of the season so far for me was our result against Arsenal in the return fixture five months ago. To come from behind to win that game was a huge moment for us against a top side, a real turning point for us. The togetherness, resilience and the character we showed that day is something we strive for every week, in every performance. We’ll be channelling that energy.
We have six huge matches left this season. We’re excited by the challenge ahead of us and looking forward to having you by our side for yet more historic moments.
Thank you for your incredible support all season; it means everything to us.
KNOWS THAT RESILIENCE AND CHARACTER WILL BE NEEDED
UNITED WOMEN SQUAD 2022/23
22
DEFENDER 5
Born: 7 March 1993
Nationality: English
United apps/goals: 90/0
Born: 29 November 1996
Nationality: English
United apps/goals: 10/0
Born: 10 June 1999
Nationality: Spanish
United apps/goals: 71/3
Born: 24 September 1995
Nationality: English
United apps/goals: 24/0
GOALKEEPER 15 14
Born: 22 January 2001
Nationality: Canadian
United apps/goals: 0/0
GOALKEEPER DEFENDER 27 21 20
Born: 16 March 1995
Nationality: French
DEFENDERDEFENDER 2
3
Born: 5 June 1993
Nationality: Norwegian
United apps/goals: 45/1
6
32 MEET THE SQUAD
Born: 25 May 1994
Nationality: English
United apps/goals: 52/2
Born: 18 April 2002
National team: England
United apps/goals: 25/2
Born: 7 July 1996
Nationality: English
United apps/goals: 107/6
Born: 5 February 1997
Nationality: French
United apps/goals: 2/0
Born: 20 January 1996
Nationality: English
United apps/goals: 124/30
Born: 11 June 1995
Nationality: Norwegian
United apps/goals: 1/0
Born: 31 May 1996
National team: Scotland
United apps/goals: 47/8
Born: 14 July 1998
Nationality: Spanish
United apps/goals: 23/6
Born: 8 February 1999
Nationality: English
United apps/goals: 53/24
Born: 13 July 1995
Nationality: Norwegian
United apps/goals: 42/6
Born: 6 October 1993
National team: Wales
United apps/goals: 82/8
Born: 2 September 1999
Nationality: English
United apps/goals: 125/44
Born: 24 May 1994
Nationality: English
United apps/goals: 102/32
Born: 10 March 1994
Nationality: English
United apps/goals: 21/7
Born: 10 January 1988
Nationality: English
United apps/goals: 19/6
Where were you at 3.38pm on 19 August 2018? If the answer isn’t one of the 829 fans at Prenton Park, Birkenhead, or anywhere else on the planet scrambling around for a broadcast signal of the deciding moment in our first fixture as a professional side, don’t worry... we’ve written about it so many times since then, you probably feel like you lived the moment regardless! It was Scottish speedster Lizzie Arnot who claimed this little slice of history, racing on to Alex Greenwood’s 83rd-minute cross to nudge the ball home (pictured above) as we beat Liverpool (then a division above us) in the Conti Cup. The navy third kit from 2018/19 (below) will always be synonymous with that moment – and as for Lizzie, have you seen her goals record since returning north of the border to join Rangers in 2020? Look it up!
The weirdest football season since... well, ever, saw the Reds play 26 of 27 games in front of zero fans (the anomaly in 2020/21? Reading away in December 2020, when 623 lucky souls were allowed inside the Madejski Stadium during that particularly peculiar spell when the UK was divvied up into a three-tier system of lockdown restrictions.) Although the WSL’s first commercial broadcast deal had yet to be signed, improved streaming services made it relatively easy to catch the action from home, but as the players would attest, matchday wasn’t quite the same without them feeding off the energy of the crowd – especially when the Reds made an Old Trafford bow, v West Ham in March 2021.
With United Women playing 132 competitive fixtures, four members of ‘the Originals’ have reached a ton of appearances – remarkably, Ella Toone and Katie Zelem are still both in single figures when it comes to games missed after nearly five completed campaigns, while it probably would have been a similar story for Millie Turner and Leah Galton were it not for injuries. So let’s applaud the quartet’s incredible consistency, with them also hitting triple digits (112) for combined goals scored. Kirsty Hanson, currently on loan at Villa, is on 90 games, level with Mary Earps, with Hayley Ladd on 82.
What team has a 100 per cent winning record at both Old Trafford and Ewen Fields? Admittedly such an obscure poser is unlikely to pop up in your next pub quiz but if it does you’ll know the answer! With rugby league side Leigh Centurions already booked in to play at LSV on 17 February 2019 (where they’d stage a stirring comeback against Featherstone, FYI), United needed an alternative home for our FA Cup tie v London Bees. So it was all off to Hyde, where 838 fans saw our 3-0 win. It remains the only time we’ve moved away from LSV due to such a clash.
Manchester derbies have been a common sight on account of four cup meetings already alongside our many WSL clashes – by the end of this term we’d have faced City a dozen times, with only Everton being a more regular opponent (13). While City have had the upper hand so far, with five wins to our two, we’ve enjoyed a few ‘yesssss!’ moments – not least in the most-recent WSL meeting at the Etihad, when a packed away end went wild after Leah Galton skipped past City’s Laia Aleixandri, traded passes with Ella Toone before shooting through the legs of Alex Greenwood to give us the lead. It would finish 1-1 that day, with our two derby wins to date coming in the Conti Cup (2-0 in 2019/20; 2-1 in 2021/22). As enjoyable as those cup victories were, what we’d all really like now, of course, is a WSL derby win – and who knows how priceless one of those could be should it happen at an already-sold-out Leigh Sports Village for our final home game of the season on Sunday 21 May.
Off the pitch, it’s been brilliant to watch the fan culture around United Women develop organically since 2018 – be it the fine idea to hand out a songbook at LSV in our early days, or the groups of fans coming together to travel en masse to away fixtures. And it’s so important for fans to have an independent voice, which is where fanzines come in. It’s been a long tradition for the men’s team at Old Trafford, with United We Stand still going strong, having first been published in 1989, and while that title increasingly covers United Women, the 2021 launch of a title specifically focused on the female Reds has been very well received by matchgoers. You’ve probably seen the Barmy Article on sale outside Morrisons before LSV games, and much like the match programme (in our humble opinion), it’s a two-quid bargain.
We can’t imagine Casey Stoney or Marc Skinner heard this particular word too often while managing in the US, but in England everyone knows who the gaffer is. The boss. The manager. The head coach (to give them their official titles at United). The departure of the popular Stoney in May 2021 came as a surprise to many following three seasons and 77 games in charge, but there’s no question that Skinner’s appointment two months later has helped the Reds continue on an upward trajectory, and he’s now within 20 games of matching Casey’s total in the dugout. The pair have both enjoyed an impressive win rate of well over 60 per cent – Stoney’s is a bit higher, although she did oversee 20 fixtures in the second tier, of course. We’ll leave any comparisons there, as both deserve immense credit for how they’ve risen to the challenge of leading the team through such an early stage of our existence. All together now: ‘We’re on the march with Skinner’s army...’
There have been a few debatable refereeing decisions over the past five years – no doubt in our favour as well as against us (although for some strange reason we only remember the latter, such as Abbie McManus’s disallowed ‘goal’ in a 3-2 derby defeat in Leigh... not that we’re bitter) – but no decision has been met with perplexity quite like one ‘handball’ in February 2020. One-up away to Reading in the WSL, a Royals free-kick into our box was well cleared by Katie Zelem as she rose to meet the ball firmly on her forehead. Cue the ref’s whistle – for a penalty. With the hosts looking as bewildered as the Reds, Fara Williams converted it to level, and it would prove vital as United dropped valuable points in a 1-1 draw. “We work hard every day, we prepare properly and days like today are soul destroying,” commented manager Casey Stoney post-match, while Women’s Football Show pundit Rachel Brown-Finnis wasn’t the only one calling it an “unreal” decision. We won’t get into the debate here about VAR in women’s football, but it certainly would have avoided this unfortunate blooper.
TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT MATCH PROGRAMME...
“I SAW HER TAKE THE NEXT STEP TO A BIGGER CLUB... THAT’S WHEN I REALISED IT WAS A POSSIBILITY”
NO DECISION HAS BEEN MET WITH PERPLEXITY QUITE LIKE ONE ‘HANDBALL’ IN 2020Above: Williams converts (having had an earlier penalty saved by Earps), while the controversial penalty call led to yellow cards on the sidelines
More than 150 girls took part in an exciting programme of goalkeeping training drills hosted by Manchester United Foundation – in partnership with the South Manchester Girls Football League – during Easter half-term, allowing players to develop their technical skills.
Girls aged 10-16 joined sessions at Eccles Sixth Form College, which were supported by staff from the Foundation and United Women, including women’s first-team goalkeeping coach Ian Willcock, U21 goalkeeping coach Jordan Booth, and Regional Talent Club (RTC) goalkeeping coach Chris Bowcott.
The event invited girls who are playing as goalkeepers for local teams to get involved and take advice and training trips from the specialist coaches, with sessions helping players to improve their
positioning, distribution and reactions, among other key skills.
Girls who impressed had the chance to be signposted to the Foundation’s Emerging Talent Centre (ETC). The ETC provides opportunities for girls to train once a week with the Foundation.
Several current RTC players, which is also managed by the Foundation through to U16 level, played alongside the signed-up participants, offering tips of their own and words of encouragement.
The Foundation’s female development coordinator, Hannah Mitchell, said: “It was humbling to be involved in an event that proved so popular and seeing so many girls making such a fantastic effort in the sessions; the standard was really impressive. It’s important that the Foundation continues to deliver
events such as these to ensure participation levels keep rising in girls’ football, both at grassroots level and through our community programmes, and demonstrate the pathway that is available for our young people to progress.”
Nieve, 10, a goalkeeper whose favourite player is Mary Earps, said: “We have been working on passing, saving and different ways to dive. I’ve learned lots of new things.”
Maizie, 12, was among the RTC goalkeepers taking part alongside the signed-up participants. She said: “I like to see other goalkeepers because I can see who I can help and what I need to do better by looking at them. You definitely learn a lot.”
To find out more about the Foundation’s female development provision, visit mufoundation.org
The girls – including Maizie (right, top) and Nieve (right, bottom) –pause for a group photo on a great day at Eccles Sixth Form College
Since our previous update, in the West Ham programme, the Under-21s have enjoyed mixed fortunes results-wise, but even in defeat they’ve been able to take positives as the young players continue in their transition from junior football to the FA WSL Academy League. Having beaten Durham 1-0 in mid-March, our U21s beat the Wildcats once again three days later, this time by a 3-2 scoreline at United’s Moss Lane home in Altrincham. Ruby Scott was among the goalscorers for the Reds in the free-scoring encounter that saw United respond well to goals from the dangerous Poppy Pritchard, and the result keeps the U21s towards the top of the WSL Academy League (Northern Division), just behind leaders Aston Villa.
Away from more local league encounters, the U21s – led by coach Lewis Craig – also compete in cross-divisional fixtures as part of their development programme, and a trip down south to Chelsea’s training centre in Cobham, Surrey at the start of April saw the Reds slip to a 2-0 loss, despite an encouraging display away from home. Last Sunday was supposed to see a Northern Division clash against Manchester City at Moss Lane – the U21s’ final home game of the season – although the game was postponed on Saturday at City’s request. The Reds were back in action today, though, away to an in-form Aston Villa at the Villans’ training complex.
Chelsea are again the opponents this coming Sunday, in the final of the FA WSL Academy League Cup. United are the reigning champions, and will be up against the Blues at Holywell Park in Loughborough, with the action getting under way at 3pm. Having beaten Aston Villa (2-1) and Birmingham (5-1) in the last two rounds, there is much anticipation for the team’s latest final. Before then, however, United’s U16s have their own final, in the FA Youth Cup; they face Arsenal on Saturday. Good luck, all!
In the younger age groups, the Girls’ Regional Talent Club has been looking ahead to next season, with 74 per cent of players across the RTC’s six age groups being asked to sign again for the 2023/24 campaign –a figure that shows the depth of talent on show at this level. The RTC, in partnership with Manchester United Foundation and the South Manchester Girls Football League, recently delivered a coaching masterclasses to over 150 girls aged between eight and 15. Such fantastic initiatives provide the Academy with the opportunity to give back to the grassroots game and help identify future potential.
Last weekend saw United’s U14s and U16s return to competitive action as they travelled to Liverpool to play the final league match of the Phase Two league. We hope the young Reds had a positive weekend to see out the campaign.
Tonight, Arsenal start a run of two hugely important away games over a four-day period that could define their entire season. Barely any sooner than leaving Leigh, the Gunners will be on a flight to Germany for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Wolfsburg on Sunday. Ahead of kick-off here, only three points separate the entire WSL top four, while the Londoners will be keen to take a positive result against Wolfsburg back to the Emirates.
Jonas Eidevall’s team had a challenging beginning to 2023, failing to win any of their first three WSL games of the calendar year. A late Sam Kerr equaliser for Chelsea pegged them back to start January, before being frustrated by a resilient West Ham and losing at Manchester City. They were also knocked out of the FA Cup by Chelsea in February. But contrary to those results, Arsenal beat both City and Chelsea in the Conti Cup, securing an impressive 3-1 win over the latter in the
final to lift the season’s first trophy, and their first in four years. That success has served as a catalyst for their form since, with Arsenal putting together four straight WSL wins – including a 5-1 thrashing of Spurs and a superb comeback against City in their last game before the break. In Europe, a stunning Frida Maanum strike and one from Stina Blackstenius secured a 2-0 win and aggregate comeback against Bayern Munich.
Arsenal’s depth and Eidevall’s impressive management have both been put to the test of late. They have been without Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema since before Christmas through injury. Caitlin Foord and January signing Victoria Pelova are among those to have risen to the challenge, while Maanum has further underlined her reputation as one of the most dynamic midfielders around. However, Katie McCabe is suspended tonight, captain Kim Little is an injury doubt, while the equally experienced Lia Walti has been granted personal leave.
Now in his second season in England, the Swede, 40, made his name during two spells at Rosengard. He led them to three Damallsvenskan titles, as well as the Champions League quarters in 2019. Sandwiched between those two appointments, he was assistant under ex-Red Henrik Larsson at men’s side Helsingborg.
The Canadian international arrived in January from Vittsjo GIK, and impressed in the recent WSL win against City, with regular no.1 Manuela Zinsberger on the bench. Should she start again tonight, the experienced Ontorio-born stopper, who turns 30 next month, won’t be fazed by the occasion.
It’s easy to scan their squad list and get lost in superstar names, but the Norwegian is quickly becoming one of them thanks to her impact since arriving in July 2021. Capable of scoring any type of goal, she’s already netted against United earlier this season, and is joint top scorer in all competitions with 14.
Meetings with Arsenal have been among our most memorable since narrowly losing 2-1 in a Conti Cup semi-final at Meadow Park in 2019 (see p42). Contests are usually tight, decided late or by small margins, including their first visit to Leigh the following season, that wasn’t decided until a last-gasp Danielle van de Donk goal on Mary Earps’ home debut (above). A first United win came in November 2020 when Ella Toone scored at LSV, a goal she names as one of her personal highlights. The Gunners won 2-0 here last season, but needed a late Stina Blackstenius equaliser to draw 1-1 at their place, while we edged a Conti Cup quarter-final with a late Alessia Russo header last January. Most recently, no one will forget this season’s pulsating five-goal thriller at the Emirates. The lead had swung back and forth, before Millie Turner and Russo turned a potential 2-1 defeat into a 3-2 win in the final moments.
“I TOLD [THE PLAYERS] I AM LOST FOR WORDS, HOW THEY HAVE MANAGED TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES IN THIS PERIOD” –
This will be our ninth game against Arsenal, making them one of our top 10 most common opponents – can you find them all hidden below?
GAMES) ● ARSENAL (8 GAMES) ● ASTON VILLA (8 GAMES) ● WEST HAM (8 GAMES)
1. Which Red has the most assists to her name in all competitions so far this season?
2. How many WSL games do United have to play this season following tonight’s match?
3. What was Mary Earps’ former club before she joined United in the summer of 2019?
1. Of the current United squad, whose career path is this: Manchester United (youth), Everton, Bristol City, Manchester United?
2. Who assisted two of United’s four goals in our 4-0 win against Brighton in our most recent WSL fixture?
3. Which former United no.16 previously played eight senior games for Arsenal?
1. Of all the teams we’ve never lost a game to in our five-year history, can you name the team on that list that we’ve beaten the most?
2. Which player, who lined up for the Reds seven times, recently faced Chelsea for Lyon in the last eight of the Women’s Champions League?
3. Who scored our first-ever goal v Arsenal, on 7 February 2019?
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three massive points for the Reds.
← You might recall we said hello to Luke on Saturday, but we’re told he’ll definitely be here tonight –and today is his 10th birthday! He’s on a surprise trip to see the Reds on his big day.
“We are seven months in, we have got a very young team and we have just gone and lost 2-1 to Arsenal in a cup semi-final – and actually got stronger as the game went on, so I am super, super proud of the team.” These were the words of United manager Casey Stoney following our maiden meeting with tonight’s opponents Arsenal.
On a gloomy February night under the Meadow Park floodlights, there was real intrigue as to how the Reds would stand up to such quality opposition in the last four of the Conti Cup – with all due respect to the top-flight sides we’d faced until that point (Liverpool, Reading, Everton and West Ham), this was our biggest
challenge yet: not only were Joe Montemurro’s Arsenal the reigning holders of the competition, but they were well on course to win a 15th league title that season. Vivianne Miedema scored both of the hosts’ goals, before Mollie Green pulled one back for United with a low finish in the 83rd minute. From there on, United threw everything forward in pursuit of a late equaliser, but it wasn’t to be. “At 2-0 down, they could have collapsed but they didn’t –they got stronger, they fought,” added the United manager.
For just over four years it was the closest we’ve got to playing in a final – until Saturday’s thrilling last-four win in a different competition took us to a showpiece cup fixture for the first time.
Rafaelle Souza
Lotte Wubben-Moy
Jennifer Beattie
Leah Williamson
Steph Catley
Beth Mead
Kim Little
Leah
Hayley
Vivianne Miedema
Frida Maanum
Lia Walti
Sabrina D’Angelo (GK)
Katie McCabe
Noelle Maritz
Lina Hurtig
Kaylan Marckese (GK)
Caitlin Foord
Gio Queiroz
Victoria Pelova
Kathrine Kuhl
Stina Blackstenius
Laura Wienroither
Jodie Taylor
Teyah Goldie
Referee Abigail Byrne • Assistants Natalie Aspinall, Emily Carney Fourth official Kirsty Dowle