BARCLAYS WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE
SUNDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2023 • 12PM
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New signings Get to know the arrivals since our last home game: Jayde Riviere (above), Estelle Cascarino and Lisa Naalsund.
Mementos of Munich Ahead of the 65th anniversary, four Reds learn more about the club’s darkest day through a series of artefacts.
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_ HEAD COACH’S COLUMN ↑
_ INSIDE STORIES
_ LAST TIME OUT
_ CAPTAIN’S COLUMN
_ THE OPPOSITION
_ JUNIOR REDS
_ FAN MESSAGES
_ PLAYER & TEAM STATISTICS
_ REDS ON REWIND
MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB Co-chairmen Joel Glazer, Avram Glazer Directors Bryan Glazer, Kevin Glazer, Edward Glazer, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, 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 Harriet Drudge, Courtney Hill, Matthew Brown Design Tom Chase, Andy Ball Photography Ash Donelon, John & Matt Peters, Getty, Alamy
Hello and welcome back to Leigh Sports Village as we enter February. This month is always a poignant one at Manchester United. The anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster brings us perspective and a grounding; an appreciation of what it means to be a part of this special club and the values it’s built on.
We spoke about the tragedy at training during the week; it’s important to talk to the players about history and other subjects other than just on-pitch tactics and training drills. Today we will stand to pay tribute to those who lost their lives, while tomorrow, on the 65th anniversary of the disaster, we will join together as a club to remember them.
Our opponents today are Everton – a team in good form under Brian Sorensen. I’ve been impressed with the job Brian has been doing there. They have individuals talented enough to pose threats on their own, but the way they play as a team is dangerous. We will have to work hard and earn the right to win the match, while staying concentrated and patient. They’re aggressive in their press, so we’ll have to be calm under pressure.
We are patient in a lot of our play and something I was really pleased with against Sunderland was our reaction to the equaliser and our ability to find a different way to win. It’s not the first time we’ve done that this season either. Arsenal away, Reading away – two different types of match but both ones where we overcame challenges to take all three points.
For us to find ways to keep winning is important; we can’t, and don’t, expect to win every match
6-0. We know we’ll come up against difficult opponents, difficult circumstances. If you’re going to win something, you need to know how to win in a number of ways and that’s where our squad depth can really help us.
We have a breadth and depth of experience now and I was really happy with our business during the transfer window. Lisa, Jayde and Estelle all offer different qualities and we’re excited to have them as part of the team. Lisa is box-to-box and energetic; Jayde is high energy, agile and has a great temperament. Estelle offers us balance and is a great ball carrier.
We’re working hard building for the immediate future, and also the long term in the business we’re doing now. We’re building to win, to be successful. That means recruiting – and keeping – the best players here at this club.
Enjoy the game.
Just look at those faces! Our last WSL game ended in dramatic fashion at Reading two weeks ago, on a day when home goalkeeper Jacqueline Burns looked like frustrating the Reds with a string of fine saves, including Katie Zelem’s first-half penalty. But with just three minutes left, substitute Rachel Williams finally broke the Royals’ resistance with a goal of real quality, which smashed into the roof of Burns’ net. It would take Marc Skinner’s side top of the WSL, while for Rachel it continued her impressive start to 2023, after she scored against Liverpool, while last weekend she was arguably our star performer at Sunderland in the FA Cup, using all her strength to consistently retain the ball in the opposition half. “It’s just as Rachel Williams does, she’s unbelievable,” said Skinner after the Reading win. “At first I’m not sure our fans understood maybe the reason why we signed Rachel, but not only does she show that to us on the field but she shows it in the changing room, leading by example.” On Thursday, Williams’s strike at Reading was named Barclays WSL Goal of the Month for January (left), while she was also in the running to win our first women’s team Player of the Month award (see p10). Keep it up, Rach!
As February begins, the Reds are in a very good place. The transfer speculation of recent weeks can be muted now that window’s been shut; our three new signings have settled in nicely (see p16); and there’s encouraging news on the injury front, with Leah Galton and long-term absentee Aoife Mannion both fit and no doubt eager to pull that United shirt back on.
Then there’s the WSL table, which looks pretty good now, doesn’t it? At the halfway stage of the season, Marc Skinner’s side are top of the pile – and who knows how important Rachel Williams’s recent winner at Reading could prove come the end of May?
No one within the squad will be looking that far ahead, though, with the current focus being on how to beat an Everton side that’s improved greatly since our last WSL match-up: a 3-0 United win at Walton Hall Park in October. And only once today is out the way, attention will turn to the WSL trip to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next Sunday, when we’ll be looking to silence the vast home crowd in a similar manner to which we did at the Emirates on our last visit to north London. Two big WSL games, which we’ll probably need six points from if we’re to stay at the top.
While this afternoon’s crowd at Leigh Sports Village won’t be as large
as that at Spurs in seven days’ time (where the away end has sold out), you can be sure it’ll be noisy today, with more and more of you fans coming back for more – which in turn can only inspire the team further.
Today United will also look to take inspiration from club greats of the past, with tomorrow being the 65th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster, which saw eight Busby Babes among the 23 to perish.
Much like Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford yesterday, Marc Skinner will today lay a commemorative wreath on behalf of the club ahead of kick-off. The players will wear black armbands and a minute’s silence will be held to mark the occasion. Those who died in the tragedy in February 1958 will never be forgotten.
United are to face West Ham at Old Trafford in the Women’s Super League later this season.
The fixture is scheduled for 12.30pm on Saturday 25 March (subject to broadcast changes) and will be the first women’s match at the stadium in 2023, following our WSL games against Everton and Aston Villa, and England’s sold-out opening game of the Women’s Euros, in 2022.
More than 100,000 fans were in attendance across those three games last year and another big crowd will be expected in March, as fans continue to break attendance records here at our usual Leigh Sports Village home. The 6-0 win over Liverpool in our last home outing in Leigh was watched by 7,666 supporters – the highest attendance at LSV for a United fixture.
It’ll be the second time we’ve taken on West Ham at the Theatre of Dreams, of course, with the Hammers being our inaugural opponents there, albeit in a behind-closed-doors setting in March 2021, when we won 2-0. Current Red Martha Thomas lined up for the opposition that day, while these days ex-United full-back Kirsty Smith is a
regular for the London side, who are managed by Paul Konchesky. Our most-recent meeting with West Ham also finished 2-0, with Hannah Blundell and Lucia Garcia scoring in our first away game of 2022/23.
Polly Bancroft, head of women’s football at United, added: “This will be another great occasion, and a wonderful opportunity for our amazing fans to set another Old Trafford attendance record, for the third time in succession. We cannot wait to see everyone cheering us on in another fine spectacle for the women’s game.”
Tickets are priced at £10 for adults and £5 for under-16/over 65 at ManUtd.com/tickets. All season ticket holders for the women’s team have been contacted with instructions on how to claim their ticket.
Users of the Manchester United app might have noticed a new addition to the interactive content in recent days: the launch of the Player of the Month vote for the women’s team. The nominees for January – as decided by our club journalists – were Ona Batlle, Mary Earps, Hayley Ladd and Rachel Williams, with the winner
announced on Friday, after this programme went to print. If you didn’t manage to vote this time, be sure to get involved come the end of February. And if you haven’t yet downloaded the app, what are you waiting for? Get it on all your devices!
The draw for the fifth round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup will see Marc Skinner’s Reds play at home against Championship side Durham. This season’s last-16 fixtures were drawn live on the BBC’s Sportsday show on Monday evening, with the game set to be played on Sunday 26 February (TBC). While United will go into the game as favourites on home soil against second-tier opposition, the Wildcats have caused their fair share of problems for us over the past five years – most recently in October’s Conti Cup meeting at Maiden Castle, when they denied us what would prove to be a much-needed bonus point by winning the shoot-out following a 2-2 draw. With this being United’s next home fixture after today, it’s worth noting that season tickets will not be valid for this FA Cup fixture, with tickets on sale at ManUtd.com/tickets.
It’s Durham in the last 16
United defender Millie Turner has signed a contract extension, keeping her with the club until the end of the 2024/25 season.
Millie joined United in 2018 as part of our inaugural professional side, and has made 98 appearances to date, scoring six goals – the most recent of which was her dramatic 85th-minute equaliser at Arsenal in November.
Reds midfielder Jade Moore is to spend the remainder of the 2022/23 campaign on loan at fellow Women’s Super League side Reading. The 32-year-old joined United in January last year, and has played nine times for the Reds, scoring two goals. Upon confirmation of the move, United’s head coach Marc Skinner said: “This loan deal is an opportunity for Jade to gain some consistency in playing time. Reading will be gaining an excellent person and player, and we wish her all the best for the remainder of the season.” Jade (above) previously played for the Berkshire club from 2017-2020, before a spell overseas –first in Florida with Orlando Pride, from where she was loaned to Atletico Madrid prior to her switch to United. Everyone at the club wishes Jade well for the months ahead.
Millie said: “I’m so happy to extend my contract, as it’s the club I want to be at. I just can’t wait to continue this journey; I think we’ve got something really special here, and there’s no ceiling to what we can achieve.”
Head coach Marc Skinner added: “Millie’s personal journey is one that fully deserves this new contract, and we are delighted that her energy, enthusiasm and all-round quality will remain a part of our special group.”
In other contract news, goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel and defender Jess Simpson have both signed their first professional deals. The two 18-year-olds were part of our Under-21 WSL Academy League and cup-winning side last season, and have since been more closely involved within the senior
set-up – Safia training regularly alongside Mary Earps and Sophie Baggaley at United, with Jess playing for third-tier Burnley while continuing to train and represent her parent club at Academy level. They become the 10th and 11th Academy graduates to sign for the senior side.
“A really proud day for our Academy – two amazing young women who are great role models for our young Reds,” commented Academy manager Charlotte Healy.
Our Under-21 side have reached the final of the WSL Academy League Cup for the second consecutive season, following a 5-1 win away to Birmingham City on 25 January. Goals from Keira Barry (2), Holly Deering, Ella Kinzett and Jessica Simpson took the Reds through, with Chelsea next up in the final. We’ll be certain to keep you posted on how they fare in their latest final.
RECAP OF THE REDS’ MOST RECENT FIXTURES
Sun 29 Jan, 1pm, Women’s FA Cup (R4)
Holmes 67
2 UNITED Parris 39, 69
United reached the last 16 of the Women’s FA Cup thanks to Nikita Parris’s brace away to Sunderland last weekend.
From the off, the second-tier hosts were a physical presence, but the first chance fell to United’s Rachel Williams, who so nearly poked home following some impressive build-up play from Hannah Blundell.
Millie Turner came close in the aftermath of a dangerous corner that saw Maya Le Tissier play a fine ball into the box, but Turner’s effort was hooked over the bar.
Claudia Moan, between the sticks for the hosts, was then at the heart of a goalmouth scramble that would see United have as many as seven shots on goal within 30 seconds, all of which were saved or blocked.
Vilde Boe Risa dragged an effort just wide on the half-hour mark, but eight minutes later, we were ahead. Martha Thomas played a pass to Ona Batlle, and our no.2 showed her skills to make space for a cross, with Parris running in to convert.
Parris almost scored again moments later, but Moan pulled off a double save.
The Reds continued to dominate in the second half, spending much of it in our opponents’ half. Nevertheless, we found ourselves pegged back in the 67th minute
Main: Parris claims her first up in Wearside
Below: “Supporters club, give us a wave...!”
after Gabby Holmes converted an inswinging corner to level the score. Moments later, debutant Estelle Cascarino came close to restoring our lead with her first touch after coming on as sub, after neat intricate football from the Reds. Thankfully, Parris would swiftly restore our lead. Williams held the ball up well on the edge of the area before playing it into Nikita, who finished emphatically. With the advantage restored, the Reds defended well to see out the win.
SUNDERLAND (4-2-3-1): Moan; Morgan, McCatty, Westrup, Holmes; Herron (Watson 34), Brown; Brown (Dodds 75), Joice, Scarr; Ejupi Subs not used: Cowling, Ede, McInnes Booked: McCatty
UNITED (4-2-3-1): Earps; Batlle, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell; Zelem, Boe Risa; Thomas (Cascarino 68), Toone, Parris (Garcia 83); Williams
Subs not used: Thorisdottir, Mannion, Ladd, Leon, Tounkara, Russo, Baggeley Booked: Toone
Referee: Jane Simms Att: 1,810
Last time out in the WSL, United moved top of the table after beating Reading 1-0 away from home, thanks to a superb late solo goal from substitute Rachel Williams at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Marc Skinner’s side started well, and after some intricate link-up play on eight minutes, Hayley Ladd fired straight at goalkeeper Jackie Burns. Reading soon grew into the game, though: Emma Harries’ half-volley was saved by Earps, before Justine Vanhaevermaet tried an audacious effort from near the halfway line.
Regaining control midway through the first 45, the Reds began to fly through the gears and create goalscoring opportunities aplenty; two of which fell to Lucia Garcia, but Burns was equal to both.
Five minutes before half-time, Alessia Russo forced a foul in the area out of ex-Red Diane Caldwell, and referee Richie Watkins pointed to the spot. Captain Katie Zelem stepped up, but her spot-kick was saved well by Burns as she dived to her right.
Nikita Parris came close twice soon after, the first of which came from a sublime breakaway move, but her effort was blocked. The second struck the crossbar.
Our first chance of the second half came after a looping ball from Parris fell to Garcia, who played it across goal for Russo, but she couldn’t quite get the final touch. Ona Batlle then dragged a ball back into the box where Russo left it for Ella Toone, but Toone’s effort was blocked by Emma Mukandi. Russo was also denied after Burns got down to stop our no.23’s effort.
Approaching 80 minutes, a Reading free-kick into the box was met by Vanhaevermaet, who forced Earps into a superb save. In her last action before making way for Williams, Garcia went on a winding solo run, but her effort bounced wide.
Thankfully, the introduction of our no.28 made the difference. Williams’s initial cross bounced back in her direction, before she went on an uncontested run across the box and unleashed the ball into the top corner to clinch the win in front of 5,108 fans.
One week earlier, United’s record Leigh Sports Village crowd of 7,666 witnessed a comprehensive 6-0 victory over Liverpool. Our goal threat was evident from the off, and Toone came close within four minutes after a great run from Parris. Minutes later, however, the Reds were in front. A wonderfully crafted move saw Batlle pick the ball up down the right before fizzing it into the path of Garcia, whose first-time effort took a deflection off Gemma Bonner to give us the lead. A second goal arrived on 24 minutes. Ladd
intercepted the ball deep in the Liverpool half, where Toone was alert to it. Ella was quick to play in Russo, and Alessia took her shot on the turn to catch Rachael Laws off guard.
Minutes before half-time, Ladd added a third. Batlle lifted a sublime cross into the back post, where Hayley redirected her header across goal and into the corner.
For all Liverpool’s efforts in the second half, Emma Koivisto’s own goal on the hour mark, which came from a deflected Millie Turner shot, made it 4-0. Subs Martha Thomas and Williams then both got on the scoresheet –Thomas finishing off a peach of a pass from Toone, before Williams headed home at the back post after Ladd had lifted the ball into the box.
WITH THE TRANSFER WINDOW NOW CLOSED (THAT WAS A TENSE FINAL DAY!), LET’S MEET THE REDS’ TALENTED NEW RECRUITS –
THREE INTERNATIONALS, FROM CANADA, FRANCE AND NORWAY...
NAME: JAYDE RIVIERE AGE: 22
SIGNED: 21 JANUARY 2023
POSITION: DEFENDER
NATIONALITY: CANADIAN FORMER CLUB: MICHIGAN WOLVERINES
That’s right. Jayde joins as a gold medallist, having won the top prize with Canada in Tokyo two years ago. Our new no.14 is a right-sided full-back with bags of potential, but it’s not the only position she’s played in. She started out as a midfielder, before moving across to become a winger under the guidance of now-Canada boss Bev Priestman. With her national team in search of a full-back, Riviere dropped into the defensive line and hasn’t looked back since, having “fallen in love with the position”, as she told us in her signing interview last month.
Riviere spent the bulk of her career to date playing collegiate soccer (having received countless full scholarship offers), emphasising the importance of getting her degree before plunging into the professional scene. The Canadian represented the University of Michigan during her three years there, graduating last summer. She had a brief senior stint at Ann Arbor before suffering an injury that required surgery last September. Riviere will get a full taste of the professional scene in Manchester, and at the club she supported growing up, no less!
Upon confirmation of the move, Riviere said: “It’s a dream come true and another chapter in my journey. I’m so excited to be a Red!” A day later, she celebrated her birthday, making for a pretty memorable 24 hours. She joins the growing cohort of dynamic full-backs at United, a position that has become important to the way Marc Skinner likes to play, and she looks sure to blossom further under the guidance of Ona Batlle and Hannah Blundell, who have both been in superb form as regulars at full-back this season. Fans can expect to see Jayde in action around March, as she continues to work her way back to full fitness. And in Adriana Leon, she has a Canada team-mate she knows well, which should help her settle into her new surroundings.
NAME: ESTELLE CASCARINO AGE: 26
SIGNED: 21 JANUARY 2023 (LOAN)
POSITION: DEFENDER
NATIONALITY: FRENCH
FORMER CLUB: PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
We’ve already seen Estelle play...
Yep, Estelle’s been involved after coming on as a substitute at Sunderland last weekend, and she even came close to scoring with her first touch. Cascarino has joined on a temporary basis, for now at least, from Paris Saint-Germain for the remainder of the season. With Le Tissier also in the squad, it means we can continue our own unique tribute to outspoken male players from the ’90s (and before you ask: no, much like Maya with namesake Matt, Estelle is no relation to Tony Cascarino!)
We won’t ask then...
She is related to Delphine Cascarino, though –Estelle’s twin is the Lyon midfielder/forward, meaning the two have been on either side of the big French rivalry since 2021. At face value, Estelle is a defensive signing given her experience along the backline, but like her sister she is rather versatile: in her first interview Estelle revealed her hopes to integrate more into midfield. With Jade Moore’s loan to Reading, don’t be surprised to see Estelle provide reinforcement in that area.
If we had an Olympic gold medal, we’d probably show it off with a smile, too...
Bordeaux, where she made 31 appearances. Prior to that, she spent three years at Paris FC, playing 61 times. And before then she even had a spell with Lyon from 2015 to 2016, alongside her twin as Les Lyonnaises won Division 1 Feminine. While her sister stayed at Lyon, Estelle opted to carve her own path around France before moving to United – her first career experience outside her homeland.
She did, in the Toulouse Cup last summer, and Marc Skinner was suitably impressed, commenting on her “calmness” and how she showed “trust in her own ability”. Cascarino’s arrival was announced soon after Riviere on 21 January, with fans relishing the double-signing. “On the pitch I’m a fighter,” she told us upon her signing, and we’re looking forward to seeing her get stuck in over the coming months.
NAME: LISA NAALSUND AGE: 27
SIGNED: 24 JANUARY 2023
POSITION: MIDFIELDER
NATIONALITY: NORWEGIAN
FORMER CLUB: SK BRANN
The third of our winter recruits is all set to be the fifth Norwegian to play for United Women (after Aurora Mikalsen, Maria Thorisdottir, Vilde Boe Risa and Karna Solskjaer). Naalsund is another midfield reinforcement for Skinner’s side, putting pen to paper on a deal that runs until the end of 2025/26. Unlike Riviere and Cascarino, there have been no positional changes or rotations for Naalsund: she is an out-and-out midfielder and will likely play a similar role to the now-departed Jackie Groenen.
Naalsund has spent all of her career so far in the Norwegian top flight, the Toppserien. Her senior career began with Arna-Bjornar, where she made 157 appearances, scoring 35 goals between 2012-18. Naalsund made a move to SK Brann at the start of 2019, spending three years with the Bergen-based side, netting 18 goals in 96 games en route to winning two Toppserien titles and one Norwegian Cup. She has also represented her country across five youth groups from U15 to U23, making her senior debut in 2021 when she replaced new club team-mate Vilde Boe Risa against Sweden.
“Her mentality, box-to-box driving runs and desire to win will continue to add a variance of skill and quality to the team,” said the boss, while Lisa has obviously been made to feel very welcome by everyone, including Vilde. “The club is full of nice people and I’m really looking forward to playing in front of the amazing fans,” she said with a smile last month. And while we’re sure you’re as eager as us to see our new midfield maestro in action, there could be a short wait as she continues to build her fitness since the conclusion of the Toppserien season.
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We’ve had three really different games since my last column, though all the right results: a flying start after the Christmas break against Liverpool; a late winner against Reading (Rachel Williams our hero after my penalty miss!); and our win in the FA Cup tie against Sunderland.
The scorelines were tight against Reading and Sunderland but we had so many chances. We are obviously very pleased with the results, but we really need to bring our clinical edge back from how we started off the season. We’re creating plenty, so I’m confident we can do that.
When you concede an equaliser against the run of play, it can sometimes throw you off a bit. But when Sunderland scored against us last week, we were so calm. We trusted in our process and it shows how far we’ve come under Marc. To respond immediately, as we did, shows a lot about our mentality as a group. We believe we can win against any opponent and when faced with any challenge.
It’s good to be at home after a few matches on the road and today we welcome Everton to Leigh. We’ve had two positive results against them already this
season but they’re a really good side. We can’t take anything for granted; they’re organised and have some fantastic players. Gabby George is chipping in with some goals and assists from the left side; Jess Park, with her quick feet and speed, we’ll need to be aware of. They are doing really well in the league and have particular strengths we will need to nullify.
We have a lot of strengths too – and we’ve added even more with the arrival of some new signings during the transfer window. Our squad is always so welcoming and I think it is pretty clear to see we are a close-knit team, very together. We make it a priority to have that open and welcoming culture so when new people come into the team they’re dialled in straight away. We’ve got nicknames for the new girls already! We’re looking at doing some socials before the international break later this month which will be good for new players and the squad as a whole.
Hopefully by then we’ll have more WSL points on the board, starting with three this afternoon.
Born: 29 November 1996
Nationality: English
United apps/goals: 10/0
Born: 5 June 1993
Nationality: Norwegian
United apps/goals: 44/1
Born: 25 May 1994
Nationality: English
United apps/goals: 44/1
Born: 18 April 2002
National team: England
United apps/goals: 16/2
Born: 7 July 1996
Nationality: English
United apps/goals: 98/6
Born: 7 March 1993
Nationality: English
United apps/goals: 81/0
Born: 10 June 1999
Nationality: Spanish
United apps/goals: 92/3
Born: 24 September 1995
Nationality: English
United apps/goals: 19/0
Born: 22 January 2001
Nationality: Canadian
United apps/goals: 0/0
Born: 16 March 1995
Nationality: French
United apps/goals: 5/0
Born: 5 February 1997
Nationality: French
United apps/goals: 1/0
Born: 13 July 1995
Nationality: Norwegian United apps/goals: 37/4
Born: 6 October 1993
National team: Wales
United apps/goals: 73/7
Born: 2 September 1999
Nationality: English
United apps/goals: 117/44
Born: 24 May 1994
Nationality: English
United apps/goals: 94/26
Born: 2 October 1992
Nationality: Canadian
United apps/goals: 8/3
Born: 8 February 1999
Nationality: English
United apps/goals: 44/19
Born: 20 January 1996
Nationality: English
United apps/goals: 115/29
Born: 11 June 1995
Nationality: Norwegian
United apps/goals: 0/0
Born: 31 May 1996
National team: Scotland
United apps/goals: 40/8
Born: 14 July 1998
Nationality: Spanish
United apps/goals: 14/2
Born: 10 March 1994
Nationality: English
United apps/goals: 14/5
Born: 10 January 1988
Nationality: English
United apps/goals: 10/4
AHEAD OF THE 65 th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CLUB’S DARKEST DAY, UNITED WOMEN PLAYERS STEPPED BACK IN TIME TO LEARN MORE ABOUT A SERIES OF ARTEFACTS, EACH WITH A CONNECTION TO THE PLAYERS WHO PERISHED...
The names of all those linked to the Munich Air Disaster will forever be entrenched into the history books of Manchester United, and as the calendar approaches 6 February each year, everyone at the club takes time to pause and remember the 23 lives that were so cruelly cut short in 1958, including the eight players and three long-serving staff members. There are little reminders of the exuberant Busby Babes all over the club; be it on the walls of the Carrington training ground, or the Munich Tunnel behind the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand at Old Trafford, or the memorial clock on the south-east corner of the stadium. Step inside Old Trafford and into the vaults of the club museum, however, and you’ll find a cherished collection of artefacts that once belonged to the players who sadly died in Bavaria; each one a poignant reminder of tragically lost potential.
The 60th’s anniversary of Munich came in the months before Manchester United Women was formed as a professional team in 2018, but as we approach the 65th anniversary, the story of the disaster is one that every member of Marc Skinner’s squad knows – from those who were here at the start (and indeed previously as a youth-team player) such
as captain Katie Zelem, to those to have joined the Reds in the years since, such as defensive trio Hannah Blundell, Aoife Mannion and Ona Batlle. The four players recently learned more about some of these fascinating artefacts, with Old Trafford tour guide Richard Williams joining them at their Carrington base to share his expert knowledge.
There’s a pair of football boots (kids’ size 11), owned by a young Mark Jones, the Yorkshire-born centre-half who died in Germany, aged 24. Alongside the boots is a photograph of Jones holding his pet budgie.
For Roger Byrne, the oldest of the players to perish, aged 28, there’s a letter he wrote – believed to be in 1956 – giving advice to a fan about how to train as a footballer. Written on Manchester United headed paper, it’s a lovely insight into the team captain’s character.
Byrne was an England regular at full-back at the time of the crash, having played in 33 consecutive internationals up until his last match, against France in November 1957. Within that run came a Sweden v England friendly in 1956, and Byrne’s velvet cap handed to him for making that appearance in Stockholm is among the items the United players look at. “For us to be in this position to be able to look at some of the artefacts, and be talked through them and learn such insightful information, it’s such a great experience that just brings us even closer to
the club,” says Zelem as she looks at the items. “I was at United from eight years old, so Munich is something I’ve always known about, from being around places like The Cliff [training ground]. Growing up I was surrounded by information and facts about United being the greatest club in the world, and how big a tragedy Munich was, and the amazing players and people that were lost that day.
“It’s so important that kids growing up now know the history of Manchester United,” adds Katie. “That people don’t just support Manchester United when they’re winning, but they support Manchester United for the history that’s been created leading up to this moment, which unfortunately includes those who lost their lives.”
Also on display as tour guide Williams talks to the players is a contract belonging to David Pegg – the Reds’ gifted outside-left who died aged 22. Dated 25 April 1955, it is authorised by club secretary Walter Crickmer (who would also die in Munich), and it notes Pegg’s weekly wage as being ‘£11.10s.0d’ (about £230 in modern terms).
For another 22-year-old, Irish inside-forward Billy Whelan, there’s a blazer on display, while for the youngest of the eight players, 21-year-old wing-half Eddie Colman, there’s a wristwatch presented to him following the previous season’s European Cup semi-final, with ‘Real Madrid’ displayed on the watch’s face.
“Seeing memorabilia makes it hit home – yes, they were footballers, but they were human beings. It’s nice for people to see that”
“Actually seeing the memorabilia does make it hit home more – the effect the disaster had on the city, and the world as well,” says Hannah Blundell. “First and foremost, those who died were people; yes, they were footballers, but they were human beings. It’s nice for people to be able to see that, and I feel like I’m in a privileged position to be this close to such memorabilia.”
Hannah also reflects on the relative youthfulness of those who died. “Hearing about their ages – they had a bright future and for it to be cut short... it was a terrible, terrible tragedy. We’ve talked about the togetherness of that United team – one of the stories we heard was how the keeper [Harry Gregg] went back in [to the aircraft] and tried to save as many people as possible. In a survival situation like that, I don’t think many people would be able to do that. That just shows the togetherness of that team, and that’s really what Manchester United is about.”
Two more Reds would die at the scene of the crash –striker Tommy Taylor, 26, and full-back Geoff Bent, 25 – and the pair are remembered through two personal items: for Taylor, a pair of boots that were retrieved from the wreckage; for Bent, a rare photo of the Salfordian. There’s also a framed photo of Duncan Edwards, the left-half who was already a star for both club and country at the age of 21. Even by that age, Edwards had racked up 177 appearances for United, and after being taken to Rechts der Isar Hospital in Munich with serious injuries following the crash, there was optimism back home that he would pull through and add to those appearances.
Just one of Duncan’s many ‘get well soon’ letters that was sent to the hospital (from an ‘Eileen Crane’) is now in possession of the club. Dated 17 February 1958, Duncan would die in hospital four days later, making the letter
Supporters can learn more about the Munich Air Disaster by reading the commemorative book The Flowers Of
Manchester, a 76-page publication first issued as a printed hardback to all fans at the men’s team home fixture closest to
Opposite page: tour guide Richard Williams shares the finer details of the many artefacts
Above and left: Hannah, Aoife and Ona spoke about the importance of preserving the Busby Babes’ legacy
a difficult one to read 65 years on. “It really hit home,” says Aoife Mannion, who like Hannah was also moved by the story of how goalkeeper Gregg tried to save others on the plane. “When you hear about moments like that, it gives you goosebumps, to think people can be so heroic.
“It’s been so eye-opening learning about it in depth,” continues Aoife. “Obviously, all the girls on the team are really aware of what happened, but this was my first time learning about it in such depth. And to get a chance to see some of the artefacts and really go
the 60th anniversary, in February 2018. Telling the full story of the Busby Babes, from their breakthrough into the first team to their legacy, hardback copies will be distributed to those attending the traditional anniversary ceremony under the Munich memorial clock at Old Trafford tomorrow, where a minute’s silence will be held at 3.04pm, marking
the time the fatal plane crash occurred exactly 65 years ago. For those who would like to read the book online, simply scan the QR code below using your phone’s camera.
deep on some of the stories and what actually happened just highlights how tragic it was.
“It’s so important for us to learn about it and pay tribute,” adds Aoife. “This is the history of the club. The people that were involved that day, the Busby Babes, are heroes to us. They embody everything that’s great about Manchester United. It’s so important for us to hope that a little bit of that rubs off on all the players at the club now, to keep carrying that spirit forward.”
Ona Battle concurs, telling us: “To hear about this legacy they’ve left now... it’s very sad, and they were very young. But we want to fight for them now.”
Battle only moved to England in 2020, but since then she’s been keen to learn as much as she can about what happened aboard British European Airways Flight 609, and she has real admiration for how the club honours the victims each February. “I knew something about Munich [before]. But to hear it, and feel the sadness here... it’s very respectful for them [who died] and I just keep remembering them every year.”
A number of other items are looked at before the informative session led by tour guide Williams draws to a close, including a pennant from United’s European Cup preliminary round game against Shamrock Rovers in 1957. United won 6-0, with Whelan, Taylor and Pegg all on the scoresheet. It’s possible that the pair of boots belonging to Taylor were worn in that match.
Then there’s a team photo, taken ahead of the 1957 FA Cup final the previous season. As well as featuring a number of the players who would die just over nine months later, it also includes trainer Tom Curry, who sadly perished, as well as survivors Ray Wood, Bobby Charlton, Bill Foulkes, Matt Busby and Johnny Berry. The crash ended Berry’s career, while others went on to achieve greatness for the club, culminating in the lifting of the European Cup at Wembley Stadium in May 1968.
Those who had died 10 years earlier would have been at the forefront of the team’s minds when United were crowned champions of Europe, and that’s continued to be the case for every club milestone since then: be it winning a trophy, an Academy graduate stepping up to the first team, or our professional women’s team being able to pull on that iconic shirt for the first time in 2018.
As the Reds walk out of the tunnel at Leigh Sports Village this afternoon wearing armbands to remember those lost, we’ll all be thinking about that shared history that binds us together. “It’s so special for me, for the girls, for the staff, for our families and for all the fans, that we can be a part of this anniversary occasion,” says team skipper Zelem. “This too is part of Manchester United history, and we all want to make the Busby Babes proud.” ●
“To hear about this legacy... it’s very sad, and they were very young. But we want to fight for them now”Ona looks at a shirt worn in the 1957 FA Cup final
Foundation participants were mascots for United Women’s Old Trafford clash in December
“Absolutely amazing... the best moment of my life. I’ve always been a United fan so this is a dream come true.” For youngster Sidney, a pupil at one of Manchester United Foundation’s partner primary schools, the opportunity to take a penalty during half-time of the men’s Manchester derby was something he’ll never forget.
Last month’s Old Trafford shoot-out, organised by club partner DHL, is just one recent example of the club’s associated charity providing its young people with a wealth of exciting experiences. The Foundation uses the power and
appeal of Manchester United and football to help young people make positive choices in their lives, through a range of life-changing programmes, as well as empowering experiences on home matchdays.
Other standout moments include Foundation participants walking out with the Reds at Old Trafford as mascots, including for the women’s team’s win in M16 over Aston Villa.
For the men’s side, inspiring youngster Riley – a participant at the Foundation’s PAN-disability football provision, Ability Counts – was invited to be mascot alongside Bruno Fernandes in the team’s final game
before Christmas. Matt Pilkington, the Foundation’s disability and inclusion co-ordinator, said: “We are grateful that our participants have had the unique opportunity to walk out at Old Trafford as mascots. It is an experience they will never forget and highlights how we are able to inspire our young people through the power of Manchester United.”
When it comes to matchdays, tickets are distributed to the Foundation’s young people for every home fixture at Old Trafford and Leigh Sports Village, and ahead of the men’s team playing Charlton last month, two groups of young people were invited to Old Trafford to discuss the Foundation’s work.
The first-ever Foundation Youth Voice Board meeting took place overlooking the pitch that day, while the Foundation’s Street Reds Youth Voice participants were also invited to the stadium, where they met Bryan Robson, among other legends – to discuss ways to improve the Foundation’s work in the region.
For more, visit mufoundation.org
How Foundation participants have been having the time of their lives on recent home matchdays
When Brian Sorensen’s side last visited Leigh, just under two months ago in the Conti Cup, they had lost their previous three games in the WSL (albeit to top-four sides United, Manchester City and Arsenal). But such has been their upturn in form in the WSL since then, Everton will today make the short trip from Merseyside full of belief that they can finally beat the Reds in a league fixture at the eighth attempt.
A week after that 4-2 cup loss to United, the Toffees headed south to Spurs in the league, winning 3-0. They would carry that attacking threat into the new year, beating Reading 3-2 at Walton Hall Park, before another impressive 3-0 win, at home to West Ham last time out. That run of three straight league wins – the first time they’ve achieved this since October 2020 – has seen Everton Women shoot up the standings to fifth place.
Last weekend’s FA Cup exit to Birmingham came as a surprise, but it’s clear that Sorensen, who only took charge last April, is starting to put his stamp on the team. “With every game, we get more gelled and everybody is
The Toffees celebrate after Aggie Beever-Jones had scored their third goal against West Ham two weeks ago
buying into what we want to do,” he said after the West Ham win. “I’m looking forward to seeing where we can go.”
What’s been notable from those three recent WSL wins is that they haven’t had territorial advantage in any of them – even in the 3-0 win against the Hammers, they had 42 per cent possession. So don’t be surprised to see more of the same today, with the Toffees happy to sit back and bide their time. When spaces do open up, lively attackers Katja Snoeijs (see right) and Jess Park will look to pounce. Both scored against Spurs and Reading, with Park – on loan from Manchester City – going on to claim an assist v West Ham. At the opposite end, another loanee, keeper Emily Ramsey (who was nominated for December’s WSL Player of the Month award), isn’t eligible to face her parent club today, meaning Ireland international Courtney Brosnan is likely to start, as she did here in December.
After today Everton have Aston Villa (H), Leicester (A), Liverpool (H), Spurs (H), Brighton (A) and Reading (A) – whatever happens at LSV, the boss will be hopeful of a decent points return from that six-game run.
THE MERSEYSIDERS ARE ENJOYING A RESURGENCE IN THE LEAGUE, MOVING UP TO FIFTH PLACE FOLLOWING A FLURRY OF WINS WITH PLENTY OF GOALS
It’s been an impressive first 10 months in charge from the Dane, 42, and a win today would see them beat last term’s final points total, after 12 games. Prior to taking the job, he twice led Fortuna Hjorring to the Danish title, plus he won the Danish Women’s Cup as boss of both IK Skovbakken and FC Nordsjaelland.
The Manchester-born full-back –who was part of United’s Centre of Excellence as a teenager – is loving life under Sorensen, having been urged to push higher up the pitch, which she’s been doing in energetic fashion. The no.6 scored a cracking long-range goal against Reading, and also has two assists in 2022/23.
The hard-working Dutch striker arrived from Bordeaux last July, having previously twice finished as the Vrouwen Eredivisie’s top scorer while at PSV. She’s really found her feet with Everton in recent weeks, scoring three goals while linking up well with both Aggie Beever-Jones and the team’s top scorer Park.
We’ve faced Everton more times than any other side, with a cup draw against the Toffees starting to feel like a formality each season. And what a record we have against them, with 10 wins from 12, alongside one draw and a solitary defeat (in the Conti Cup in December 2020). The most memorable meeting came in March last year when United played at Old Trafford in front of a crowd for the very first time, and the Toffees threatened to spoil the party that day when Claire Emslie fired in an early goal, only for the hosts to hit back through Alessia Russo (2) and a Katie Zelem penalty. The most recent meeting, in the Conti Cup in December, saw Vilde Boe Risa (2), Jade Moore and Rachel Williams net in a 4-2 win (above), with Jess Park and Karen Holmgaardon on target for the visitors.
“WE ARE HAPPY WITH WHERE WE ARE NOW BUT IT’S A CONTINUOUS PROCESS OF GETTING LITTLE DETAILS BETTER AND BETTER” – SORENSEN
Fourteen different Reds have scored in our 12 previous games against Everton – can you find them all in our word search?
That’s Amy, not Millie (although we can’t forget ex-Everton defender Danielle Turner, who scored an own goal against us in 2021!)
We
Can you get 3/3 correct on every level? If so, you’re an expert!
Right, who’s the practical joker messing with our shoelaces?!
Come on Maria, can’t you stretch out any further?
1. Our next game, away to Spurs, was originally scheduled to be played in what month last year ↓
2. After Everton (today being a record meeting no.13), which team have the Reds faced the most in our history as a professional team?
3. Who is the only Red to have converted a penalty kick (outside of a shoot-out) so far in 2022/23?
1. What was Lucia Garcia’s previous club (2016-22) before she joined United?
Hmm, please don’t tell me I need to cut this cake into 28 slices...
I beg you, Lucia... please don’t let go!
2. We’ve scored seven goals already against Everton this season, but only one player has netted more than one – can you name her?
3. What squad number does Rachel Williams wear for United: 18, 28 or 38?
1. United broke our attendance record here at LSV in our last home game – but against which side did we record our lowest LSV crowd (642, in the Conti Cup in January 2020)?
2. Name five players whose surname begins with ‘M’ to have made a competitive appearance for United?
3. Which United player claimed both a goal and an assist when we beat Liverpool 6-0 here last month?
pick out our fave photos from last month’s Malta trip... and provide our own words!
← Nine-year-old Sadhbh has travelled from Dublin for today’s match. She’s a big fan and is hoping to bump into some players while here!
↑ Happy birthday Nevaeh Buckby, who is turning seven and will be cheering United on today. Love Mum, Dad, Rhiley and Harry.
↑
Red
wanted to spend her 14th birthday watching her no.1 team play, and it sounds like she had a great time!
← Elliot Butterworth, who turns nine on 12 February, has been to every home match this season, and he loves getting his picture taken with his favourite players – here he is with Rachel Williams.
←
Ellie
, was “over the moon” to see Estelle Cascarino’s first game for United, up in Sunderland last week.
So many characters are intertwined within the tragic story of the Munich Air Disaster, the vast majority of whom were men – including all 23 people who died following the crash on 6 February 1958. While football as an industry was overwhelmingly male-dominated in the late ’50s, some of the most well-known faces behind the scenes at United were women. Take Matt Busby’s secretary Alma George, who had to deliver news of the crash to Jimmy Murphy, after the team’s assistant manager had been unable to travel with the squad due to his managerial commitments with Wales. And then there’s Nesta Burgess, who worked at Old Trafford for more than 50 years from 1951, and was much loved by all the players and coaches, who’d chat to her in the
players’ lounge across several decades. Nesta was in her seventh year at United by the time of the tragedy, and in 2002 she shared her memories of that time. “Like everyone else I was devastated when I heard about the crash, and I remember Alma telling Jimmy Murphy,” she recalled. “He came in carrying some oranges and when she told him, he didn’t believe her. The day after, I think the whole of Manchester must have come to pay their respects. There were flowers everywhere. The atmosphere behind the scenes was terrible because it was so unreal. When they brought the bodies back they put them into the gym in the South Stand, and some staff stayed with them all night.” Nesta worked full-time at the club until she turned 70. She died in 2010, aged 92.
Katrine Veje
Rikke Sevecke
Aoife Mannion
Hannah Blundell
Ella Toone
Vilde Boe Risa
Martha Thomas
Katie Zelem
Leah Galton
Hayley Ladd
Jayde Riviere
Maya Le Tissier
Lisa Naalsund
Lucia Garcia
Adriana Leon
Aissatou Tounkara
Millie
Nikita
Rachel
Estelle
Nathalie Bjorn
Gabrielle George
Clare Wheeler
Izzy Christiansen
Toni Duggan
Hanna Bennison
Jessica Park
Emily Ramsey (GK)
Nicoline Sorensen
Agnes Beever-Jones
Lucy Hope
Courtney Brosnan (GK)
Megan Finnigan
Leonie Maier
Aurora Galli
Sara Holmgaard
Kenzie Weir
Katja Snoeijs
Elise Stenevik
Karen Holmgaard
Abbey Clarke
Annie Wilding
Referee Emily Heaslip • Assistants Chloe-Ann Small, Ruby Sykes
Fourth official Stacey Fullicks