Manchester United Women v Everton Women match programme, Continental Tyres League Cup, 07.12.22

FOUR DAYS ON FROM OLD TRAFFORD, A BUSY WEEK

CONTINUES WITH THE VISIT OF EVERTON IN THE CUP, AND WITH CITY TO COME THIS WEEKEND THE BOSS

KNOWS HE’LL NEED TO UTILISE HIS SQUAD’S DEPTH

Good evening and welcome back to Leigh Sports Village following our latest trip to Old Trafford on Saturday. As a manager I have to be happy with a 5-0 result in any game, which of course I was against Aston Villa. But I want to keep our standards extremely high, and the players felt that too. In moments of the game we didn’t quite look like ourselves, but when you assess it, to score five against a team that has aspirations themselves, it has to be a good day’s work.

It was also pleasing to have five different players on the scoresheet, as it shows our system is not rigid; that it has the ability to change, with different ways of goalscoring. Last season, when we were having frustrating games, we didn’t have different ways to score. We had great players but we’ve now added different ways to score. That’s all part of the greater project we’re trying to build, so it’s pleasing to see.

It was also really pleasing to see so many of you in the stands at Old Trafford, with the attendance comfortably breaking our record for a home game. The crowd and the surroundings will be very different tonight, of course, as will the competition, but our motivation to win will be absolutely the same.

When a manager makes changes from league games to cup games, the assumption quite often is that one competition is being prioritised over the other. That’s not the case. At Manchester United, we have an incredible squad with internationals all across the pitch – some who are playing regularly, others who aren’t as much. If I only play the same

team each time, especially in three-game weeks, it’s not healthy for anyone. We need each and every member of our squad if we’re to be successful. It’s no secret that we’re not where we want to be in this cup after two matches in the group. But we place significant emphasis on this competition –it’s a competition that we want to win.

Tonight, we take on a tough side in Everton. We’ll need to make sure we tidy up on some of the details that let us down in the previous two Continental Tyres League Cup matches, particularly around set pieces. That will be so important if we are to control the game as we want to and come away with the result we want and need this evening. Those details will be especially important going into the match on Sunday, too. Derbies are always a bit different, and I have no doubt it will be a special match away to Manchester City. Our last performance away from home, against Arsenal, will give us great confidence that we can get the three points at the Etihad, and after this evening’s game we’ll continue our preparations for what will be another big occasion. Enjoy the game.

From Leah Galton’s left-footed finish through the middle, to Ona Batlle’s rocket from the right, our five goals on Saturday were a showcase of the Reds’ quality, but from the boss’s point of view, the pick of the quintet arrived after 51 minutes. It was Batlle who started the move, playing a beautifully timed pass down the right to find Ella Toone, who had surged past two Aston Villa defenders to run on to the ball just inside the area. One touch later, a first-time cross from our no.7 zipped across the edge of the six-yard box, where Alessia Russo was alert to fire home at the far post past a stranded Hannah Hampton. “That was the goal where I’m like ‘that is very much how we play’,” was Marc Skinner’s assessment of Lessi’s fourth goal of the campaign. And by the looks of it, those in Old Trafford’s Stretford End seemed to quite enjoy it too!

INSIDE STORIES

TWO GAMES = TWO WINS

That’s the equation we’re looking for if United hope to advance in Conti Cup

Four days on from a dominant performance at Old Trafford in the Women’s Super League, tonight Marc Skinner’s Reds are back in the more familiar surroundings of Leigh Sports Village, for a Continental Tyres League Cup tie that, simply put, we have to win.

With the Reds seeking a first piece of top-level silverware to go alongside our 2018/19 Championship triumph, the Conti Cup is a competition that has seen Marc Skinner (and Casey Stoney before him) rotate the team, but as Marc is always keen to stress, it’s vital that

he’s able to make use of his whole senior squad if we’re looking to be successful over an entire season –especially in spells such as this when we have three games in eight days.

So as with the trips to Aston Villa and Durham in our two previous Group A fixtures, the line-up tonight could look a bit different from that seen in the WSL in recent weeks, but the boss will have absolute faith in those wearing the red shirts.

When it comes to group-stage competitions in football, there’s an age-old line of thought that if you can avoid defeat in your away fixtures,

and win your home ones, you’ll be in a strong position to advance. From that viewpoint, we’ve achieved part one, having picked up a point at both Villa and Durham, but such is the unique format of the Conti Cup, the additional bonus point on offer (via a penalty shoot-out following a drawn game) alters the dynamic of the group stage. And with United coming out on the wrong side of two shoot-outs so far, it’s handed both Villa and Durham an advantage.

You can see the current Group A standings on p35 of this programme, and with only the top team certain to

The Reds huddle up ahead of kick-off on Saturday –how many changes will Skinner make to his XI tonight?

IN OCTOBER, WILL GIVE CONFIDENCE

progress, Everton would know that a win tonight would put them in pole position ahead of their final game, at home to Durham on 17 December. The Reds conclude our group stage at home to Sheffield United the following day, and even a win in that game as well as tonight might not be enough to secure top spot. Thankfully, the one best runner-up from across the five groups (on a points-per-game basis) will also advance – joining the five group winners, as well as Champions League group-stage teams Chelsea and Arsenal, in the last eight. Got all that?!

Indeed, we reached the quarters in such a manner last season, on account of winning nine points from four games, and there’s a fair chance that an eight-point haul for us this time around would be enough. But for Skinner and his Reds, the permutations

can wait – they’ll only be thinking of two wins from two games (within 90 minutes), then we can look at the final standings. And what we’ve achieved in our last two WSL games, as well as the manner in which we beat Everton in the league in October, should give us real confidence for tonight. As for the Toffees, they arrive in Leigh on the back of a 1-0 league loss at Arsenal on Saturday (below), with Blues’ boss Brian Sorensen praising the manner in which his side stood up to the Gunners.

United and Everton have become familiar foes in the Conti Cup since we first entered the competition in 2018/19 – this being the fifth time in five seasons that we’ve shared a group – but the Merseyside club haven’t advanced beyond the group stage since before then, in 2017/18. For the Reds, we’ve reached the semi-finals three times in four years, and how we’d love to mark a first major final on the 2022/23 calendar, with the venue for next year’s final set to be announced imminently by the Football Association.

If there’s any chance of us being at that showpiece fixture come the start of March, our winning Conti Cup run needs to start right here, right now under the floodlights of Leigh Sports Village.

PROGRESS IN CUP FOR UNDER-21 S

United Women’s U21s have another big game in store next month, after Charlotte Healy’s Reds progressed to the last four of the FA WSL Academy League Cup following a 2-1 win at home to Aston Villa in the quarter-finals on 30 November (pictured above). Midfielder Ella Kinzett (one of four U21s who are dual-signed for Burnley’s senior side this season) got the first goal against the young Villans at Altrincham’s Moss Lane on 65 minutes, with Eleanor Ashton netting the second with just six minutes left to play. Next up in the competition are Birmingham City away in late January, with Arsenal and Chelsea competing in the other semi. With Healy’s side winning this competition last season, a long cup run would be another positive step forward in the development of the young squad – and we’ll continue to keep you posted on their progress.

WHAT WE’VE ACHIEVED IN OUR LAST TWO WSL GAMES, AS WELL AS THE MANNER IN WHICH WE BEAT EVERTON

A second shoot-out defeat at Durham’s Maiden Castle leaves us needing a win in 90 minutes against Sorensen’s Toffees

Photo: Mark Stanyard

LAST TIME OUT

0 ASTON VILLA

United had an afternoon to remember at Old Trafford on Saturday, as we beat Carla Ward’s Aston Villa 5-0 in front of 30,196 fans – our record home crowd.

Marc Skinner’s Reds took the lead after 13 minutes through captain Katie Zelem, who reacted quickly to hit home a loose ball. Our second came just before the half-hour point, with Leah Galton finishing off a fine move involving combination play from Ella Toone and Alessia Russo.

The Reds kicked off the second 45 with yet another great team goal, with Ona Batlle playing in Toone, whose ball across the box was hammered into Hannah Hampton’s goal from Russo.

A dazzling display from Batlle was topped off with a thunderous strike that struck the crossbar and flew in. And the Spaniard was on course to give United their fifth and final goal, setting up substitute Rachel Williams for a tap-in.

It was a dominant opening 45 from United, who barely gave Villa a moment’s peace. Our first chance came inside the first 10 minutes, after Russo and Toone linked up well down the left before the former swung a ball into the box. Galton was first to react, but her initial touch ran away from her and Hampton gathered comfortably.

Three minutes later, we took the lead through Zelem. Some link-up play from Toone and Batlle down the right saw Batlle whip a dangerous ball into the box. There was an initial scramble at the goalmouth, but our no.10 reacted quickly to fire home.

The opening goal gave the hosts the momentum to really hit the ground running, but Villa worked their way back into the game and had a first shot on target courtesy of Alisha Lehmann, but Mary Earps saved comfortably.

LINE-UPS

UNITED: Earps; Batlle, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell; Ladd, Zelem; Parris (Thomas 62), Toone (Williams 85), Galton (Boe Risa 85); Russo (Garcia 77)

Subs not used: Baggaley, Thorisdottir, Leon, Tounkara, Staniforth

ASTON VILLA: Hampton; Mayling, Patten, Turner, Pacheco; Corsie, Dali, Blindklide (McLoughlin 85); Gregory (Gielnik 58), Daly, Lehmann

Subs not used: Leat, Goodwin Booked: Patten

Referee: Louise Saunders Attendance: 30,196

Galton got our second goal after 28 minutes

Toone would claim two assists

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Report Courtney Hill

Batlle’s brilliant strike brought one of the biggest cheers of the afternoon

Moments later, United struck again. It began from Batlle’s throw-in to Russo, who held the ball up before flicking it around her into the path of the oncoming Toone. Ella played a pass behind Villa’s defence, finding Galton, who made no mistake in beating Hampton.

Just before half-time, Villa looked to have halved the deficit through Lehmann. Freya Gregory’s volley forced a superb save from Earps, but Villa’s no.7 reacted first to tap in the rebound. The goal was flagged offside, though, for the initial ball over the top.

United’s players came out the traps for the second half just as they started the first: hungry for goals.

The warning signs were there after Toone and Batlle combined once again, but Ella’s ball across the box was deflected out of the path of Russo. The two soon came together to make it 3-0, however: Batlle played a ball in behind for Toone, who fizzed it across the box, where Russo was waiting to hammer home.

Villa began to see more of the ball after the hour mark. Rachel Daly had a strike from range which was comfortably taken by Earps, but it was followed up by a venomous strike from Lehmann that forced Earps into a big save. But for all of Villa’s efforts to find a way back, it was United who struck next, as the Reds combined to put the game beyond reach. The move began and ended with Batlle, who made a darting run into the box before unleashing a thumping strike that hit Hampton’s crossbar and bounced in.

With 10 minutes to go, Galton looked to have added her second of the game but the referee had blown her whistle for an earlier foul, pulling play back for a free-kick that Zelem couldn’t capitalise from.

The final goal would come in stoppage-time, when second-half sub Williams tapped in her first United goal after more good work from Batlle down the wing.

Blundell kick-starts another Reds attack

Earps was unstoppable whenever called upon

Williams rounds off a five-star display late on

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Tell us what it’s been like for you at Manchester United since you joined the club last year...

It’s been incredible since I’ve arrived. It’s been a really cool journey so far. Where we are now as a team is a great place – in terms of how we all link up, with coaches, medical, performance and analysis. You couldn’t ask for more in terms of the team.

You have been working hard – we’ve got Millie Turner back but we’ve also got Aoife Mannion going through the rehabilitation process. What’s it been like for you?

Both athletes have been class to work with. Millie was a joy to work with – great fun, a really hard worker, professional, motivated – and I think Aoife is exactly the same. She’s really motivated, driven, asks great questions, does the extras, doesn’t need to be pushed. She motivates herself.

An ACL [anterior cruciate ligament] injury is a longer process, isn’t it?

Yeah, we try to break it down into mini goals, so when you think of nine to 12 months, it sounds like a long time. But when you break it down into our phases of ACL rehab we have at this club, we’ve got ‘phase zero’ to ‘phase six’. Each of those phases has objective criteria to progress, so the athlete can see they’ve got to tick that box and that box and that box, so it doesn’t seem like they are just waiting for time to pass. They’ve got to actually work hard to achieve the box tick or the exit criteria. When you think of a big picture, it can be daunting for an athlete, but we frame it that way. We frame it in terms of the performance here. We’re trying to get them coming back better, faster, stronger, ideally fitter. That’s not always the case – sometimes they don’t always achieve that. But that’s always the goal and we try to make sure they come back as well as they can do.

“WE’RE

Millie Turner has looked as fit as ever upon her return, with Marc Skinner quick to praise Ibrahim and the rest of the medical staff

Some people won’t realise that women are a lot more at risk of ACL injuries compared to men, due to factors like wider hips, so you’ve got to put that into account... Yeah, there are a few factors. Sometimes the staffing is different to the men’s staffing, obviously. You work with a less resourced budget, sometimes. You’re stretched to have a breadth of expertise rather than a specialism. But I think that has its joys as well. Having inputs into a lot of different areas is quite a fun thing to be involved with. And with females specifically, you’re right; obviously a predisposition with wider hips and factors like proprioceptive factors and motor control. Having been in the environment a while now, you notice areas that could be improved with regards to core control and strength; it’s definitely something we’re aware of and are trying to address.

And mentally you’ve got to look after players too, of course... Yeah, 100 per cent. I think the mental side is the biggest side, and it’s probably the least looked into or the least appreciated. But if you haven’t got somebody’s headspace, or they’re demotivated or stressed, or they’re not clear

about the plan, or they don’t trust you – that’s a big one –it’s hard to get the results that you look for. So the mental side we try to work on really well, I think, at Manchester United, and we make sure that the athlete is the centre of our focus. Every choice we make is based on their wellbeing and their welfare, and we include them in the process, and so we had the original ACL meeting with Aoife, and a meeting with Millie. We show them the plan, we get their input, we get all their questions answered and as we go through making sure it’s an open dialogue with how they feel; so it’s a two-way street.

We were so excited when we saw Millie back on the pitch, and we can’t wait to see Aoife back in action too. How far is she in her progression? Yeah, she’s being pushed, one-v-ones, tackling. So we’re trying to get her confident and ticking all those criteria on the pitch together. We’re hoping to get [her involved in] some under-23s matches, fingers crossed, pending everything going really well. And then we’re aiming for end of January to make her first WSL game.

“THE ATHLETE IS THE CENTRE OF OUR FOCUS –EVERY CHOICE IS BASED ON THEIR WELLBEING, AND WE INCLUDE THEM IN THE PROCESS”

Ibrahim previously worked for Sydney FC and Blackburn Rovers before joining the Reds last October

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KATIE ZELEM

RECENT DISPLAYS HAVE LEFT THE SKIPPER FULL OF PRIDE, AND SHE WANTS THE TEAM TO CARRY THAT WINNING MOMENTUM INTO THE NEW YEAR IN BOTH LEAGUE AND CUP

What an occasion it was on Saturday. It was brilliant to play at Old Trafford once again –and most importantly to pick up another three points – and we all loved playing in front of a huge crowd of United fans.

It has been a big few weeks for us, playing at the Emirates and Old Trafford, and in a few days we’re at the Etihad for the Manchester derby. Three iconic football stadiums. The atmosphere is always incredible for games such as these and hopefully the crowds will just keep growing and growing.

We only have three fixtures left before the turn of the year, with two coming in the Continental Tyres League Cup, starting tonight against Everton before we play Sheffield United here in Leigh later in the month. To progress out of our group in the competition and reach the quarter-finals, we know we’re going to need two wins.

The results might not have gone to plan so far, with two penalty shoot-out defeats seeing us take just a point from each game and miss out on any

bonus points, but we’ve taken positives from those two away matches and learned a lot, and we have to be confident about us getting back on track in the competition now we’re back on home soil.

The squad got a lot of minutes during those two previous matches in our group, away to Aston Villa and Durham. We’re a close-knit group off the pitch, but getting time on the pitch together is obviously incredibly important, so the group can learn and develop together in competitive fixtures outside of training games.

Whether it’s a league or cup match, as a player your focus remains the same: we prepare extensively and we know we’ve got to be on our game to win, whoever the opposition are. From the moment the game finished at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, this Everton cup tie has had our full attention. This is a busy spell for us and we need to keep that focus from game to game.

SOPHIE BAGGALEY

Born: 29 November 1996 Nationality: English United apps/goals: 8/0

MARIA THORISDOTTIR

Born: 5 June 1993 Nationality: Norwegian United apps/goals: 41/1

HANNAH BLUNDELL

Born: 25 May 1994 Nationality: English United apps/goals: 38/1

AISSATOU TOUNKARA

Born: 16 March 1995 Nationality: French United apps/goals: 3/0

JADE MOORE

Born: 22 October 1990 Nationality: English United apps/goals: 8/1

MARY EARPS

Born: 7 March 1993 Nationality: English United apps/goals: 77/0

ONA BATLLE

Born: 10 June 1999 Nationality: Spanish United apps/goals: 56/3

AOIFE MANNION

Born: 24 September 1995 Nationality: English United apps/goals: 19/0

MAYA LE TISSIER

Born: 18 April 2002 National team: England United apps/goals: 10/2

MILLIE TURNER

Born: 7 July 1996 Nationality: English United apps/goals: 92/6

VILDE BOE RISA

Born: 13 July 1995 Nationality: Norwegian United apps/goals: 31/4

KATIE ZELEM

Born: 20 January 1996

Nationality: English United apps/goals: 109/29

GRACE CLINTON

Born: 31 March 2003

Nationality: English United apps/goals: 0/0

ELLA TOONE

Born: 2 September 1999 Nationality: English United apps/goals: 112/44

LEAH GALTON

Born: 24 May 1994 Nationality: English United apps/goals: 92/25

ADRIANA

LEON

Born: 2 October 1992

Nationality: Canadian United apps/goals: 6/1

ALESSIA RUSSO

Born: 8 February 1999

Nationality: English United apps/goals: 41/18

HAYLEY LADD

Born: 6 October 1993 National team: Wales United apps/goals: 70/6

LUCY STANIFORTH

Born: 2 October 1992

Nationality: English United apps/goals: 39/3

MARTHA THOMAS

Born: 31 May 1996 National team: Scotland United apps/goals: 34/6

LUCIA GARCIA

Born: 14 July 1998 Nationality: Spanish United apps/goals: 8/1

NIKITA PARRIS

Born: 10 March 1994

Nationality: English United apps/goals: 10/3

RACHEL WILLIAMS

Born: 10 January 1988

Nationality: English United apps/goals: 5/1

Adriana, what have you made of our Conti Cup campaign so far? We’ve had two games that we’ve drawn and gone to penalties, and not quite got the extra point in the shoot-out…

Yeah, obviously the start in the Conti Cup has been a bit disappointing for us. It’s been a bit difficult because there have been a lot of changes with the line-up, and I think a lot of new players are still fitting into the squad and the team has been adjusting to that. We definitely need to pick it up a little bit for the next games in our group, against Everton and Sheffield United.

You mention those two upcoming games in the cup, starting with this Everton game – they’re both at home, so how much of an opportunity is that for us to get points on the board in front of our fans?

It’s definitely nice to play at home and in front of our fans. It makes a big difference for us. We love hearing them from the stands so I think that will be a massive boost for us to play at Leigh Sports Village for these two cup games.

You spoke in your first interview after you signed for United about wanting to win trophies – this competition is a great chance to do that, isn’t it? Yeah, I think in football anything can happen so we just need to prepare for everything and make sure we’re focused going into these games, and we try to get all the points and wins that we possibly can.

WE SIT DOWN FOR A CHAT WITH OUR OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL WINNER, WHO COULDN’T BE ANY KEENER TO ADD A CLUB MEDAL TO HER COLLECTION THIS SEASON. AND AS THE EXPERIENCED CANADIAN FORWARD TELLS US, VICTORY TONIGHT IS CENTRAL TO SUCH AIMS...

Interview: Mikey Partington

FACTFILE

FULL NAME

Adriana Kristina Leon

DATE OF BIRTH 2 October 1992 PLACE OF BIRTH Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

COLLEGE CAREER

Notre Dame Fighting Irish (below), Florida Gators

SENIOR CAREER

2010-12 Toronto Lady Lynx, 9 games, 3 goals

2013 Boston Breakers (6; 1)

2013-15 Chicago Red Stars (35; 3)

2016 Western New York Flash (10; 0)

2016 FC Zurich (11; 5)

2017 Boston Breakers (24; 6)

2018 Sky Blue FC (2; 0)

2018 Seattle Reign (6; 0)

2019-22 West Ham United (59; 12)

2022- Manchester United (6; 1)

INTERNATIONAL CAREER

Canada: 92 caps, 28 goals

You know the importance of winning trophies, having won an Olympic gold medal with Canada, and the impact a cup run can have after reaching the 2019 FA Cup final with West Ham – so what could that kind of experience do for this team?

I think once you win something you want to win more – winning is contagious. I remember playing in the FA Cup final with West Ham –while obviously we didn’t get the result, it was still an incredible feeling just to be at Wembley and playing in front of all the fans, and it definitely was a special moment. I hope that with United, we get that chance and hopefully we’ll be lifting a trophy at the end of the season.

Has Marc spoken much about the potential of winning trophies or is the focus very much game by game?

At this level it is really a game-by-game focus, but we know everyone is here to win trophies. We want to win trophies and that’s just kind of a given when you’re playing for Manchester United. But I think it’s important to just focus game by game and not look too far ahead. We want to just focus on the moment and what’s coming next.

We’ve already played Everton in the league this season, winning 3-0 in the WSL. What kind of test do you think

we can expect from them in this latest cup contest?

I think it’s hard beating a team twice – no one likes to lose and no one likes to lose two in a row –so I know Everton will be ready to play, and will come up hard, and we’ll need to be prepared for that.

It’s another opportunity to play at Leigh Sports Village too. What have you made of playing at the stadium this season in front of our home support?

It’s definitely been nice to see the attendances. We’ve set two records at home [at LSV], so it’s nice to see the fans coming out. It’s a little bit further [from Manchester] than we’d like but it’s still great to get the support and it makes a massive difference for us playing at home; it’s really feeling like it’s a homey stadium for us.

You scored your first United goal here too, against Brighton in October – what was that like?

I came here to score goals so for me to get on the pitch and take advantage of the opportunity, and put the ball in the back of the net, was exactly what I came here for so hopefully I can get a few more in.

Reflecting on your first few months here, what have you made of our season so far in general?

The team’s definitely been off to a good start. We’re up towards the top of the league table, where we want to be. It’s been a great start.

In terms of the morale, there seems to be a real vibrancy in the dressing room at the moment... I would say that’s probably one of the things I have noticed coming to United, just how close the group is. It’s really easy to integrate; even more so off the field. Everyone gets along and it’s just a nice environment to be around. And you’re surrounded by winners so it’s nice.

It seems like you’re also enjoying being with your national team Canada at the moment. What was the recent experience of playing in Brazil like [for a two-game friendly in Sao Paolo]? You of course got on the scoresheet there too…

Playing against Brazil was a lot of fun. They’re such a good technical team, they’re one of the best nations to play against and it’s always a competitive game so it was nice to

be in Brazil, playing Brazil. We were in the home of Pele and of Neymar at Santos for the first game, in a historic stadium [Estadio Urbano Caldeira], so it was very cool and definitely very cool to get a goal against them knowing that legends played there before.

Where do those kinds of moments rank for you?

You’re used to scoring for your country now but that must still be so special… Definitely. There’s no other feeling like scoring so helping the team out is definitely a nice feeling.

“ONE THING I’VE NOTICED AT UNITED IS HOW CLOSE THE GROUP IS. IT’S REALLY EASY TO INTEGRATE; EVEN MORE SO OFF THE FIELD”

Adriana enjoyed the recent trip to Brazil with Canada, but her focus now is back on her club football

Joining Vilde Boe Risa after the Norwegian found the net in tonight’s competition

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You’re in good scoring form for Canada – we keep seeing you on the scoresheet during the breaks! –which must feel good with a Women’s World Cup coming up at the end of this season... It’s been a great year with Canada; I always enjoy my time away with them. We also have a nice, close group over there, so it makes going into camp really easy. It’s been good to do some travel this year too – we went to Australia, obviously Brazil and I’m definitely looking forward to next year. That World Cup is going to be something special, and I feel confident with Canada going into next summer.

You’ve just mentioned going to Australia with Canada, which we wanted to ask you about – what was that experience like, going to the country where the World Cup is being hosted next summer? A bit of a trial run? Yeah, I guess it was a bit of a trial for us. We played in Brisbane and in Sydney – we were the first team to play in that stadium in Sydney, I believe; it was a brand-new stadium they’re going to be using next summer so that was pretty cool. They had a lot of fans come out to the

game. We have Australia in our group next summer, so we know it’s going to be a tough game against them with their fan base. They get great support over there, so it’s definitely going to be a tough one for us, but I’m really looking forward to playing in Australia, and even against Australia. It’ll be a lot of fun.

Just finally, looking at this month, we’ve got three more games before the Christmas break – how important will it be to get some more positive results on the board before that pause in the season?

Yeah, it will be important, and I think we just need to stay focused and stay ready. We just need to be ready for each game, and bring what we can.

After that, Christmas won’t be too far off. Have you got any plans for that yet?

I’ll be going home to Canada; I haven’t spent much time at home! I’m definitely looking forward to spending Christmas with my family and we always go all out, so it’s a nice time to be at home. ●

“I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR. THAT WORLD CUP IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING SPECIAL, AND I FEEL CONFIDENT WITH CANADA GOING INTO NEXT SUMMER”

Right: going up against United in our dramatic 4-2 win at West Ham in October 2020; celebrating Olympic gold in Yokohama, Japan last summer

EVERTON

THE MERSEYSIDE CLUB HAVE STARTED WELL IN TONIGHT’S COMPETITION, WHILE THEIR WSL FORM SUGGESTS AN IMPROVEMENT ON LAST SEASON

Everton have made an encouraging start to life under Brian Sorensen since his appointment ahead of the 2022/23 campaign. Following the departures of Willie Kirk and then Jean-Luc Vasseur in the opening months of last term, Chris Roberts and Claire Ditchburn were given the duties of overseeing the side on an interim basis until the end of the season. What followed was a disappointing 10th-place finish in the WSL, meaning the Blues will now be hoping for more stability this time around, and a return to the form that saw them finish fifth in 2020/21.

A summer overhaul saw 10 players depart – many of whom lined up at Old Trafford against us in March – and the new Danish boss looked to his homeland, as well as Norway, for the bulk of his recruitment, with defenders Katrine Veje and Elise Stenevik, plus midfielder Karen Holmgaard, all appearing frequently since their arrivals.

A narrow defeat to West Ham on the opening day in the WSL wasn’t the ideal start, but encouraging signs were there, and the new-look Toffees would soon click into gear. Three wins from the next four WSL games followed,

lifting them up to fourth in October. The first of those was a much-celebrated 3-0 victory at Anfield against city rivals Liverpool, while clean sheets were also present in 1-0 wins against Leicester and Aston Villa. The one defeat in that run was to champions Chelsea (1-3) – and that was perhaps a sign of things to come in the weeks ahead against the WSL’s strongest opposition, as they lost to United (0-3), Manchester City (1-2), then Arsenal (0-1) four days ago. That was only the second time the Gunners had failed to score twice or more in a WSL game this season, with Sorensen telling evertonfc.com: “At the end, we pushed forward and had chances. I am happy, proud of the girls and their performance against a top quality team.” Everton have had more luck in tonight’s competition, picking up two points after a penalty shoot-out win over Aston Villa (the tie finishing 1-1), before adding three more points as they confidently overcame Sheffield United 3-0. It leaves them buoyed at their halfway stage of Group B, a point behind Villa, with a game in hand. As such, a positive result here will put them in a strong position to progress.

The Toffees line up ahead of their narrow WSL loss at Arsenal on Saturday

MANAGER CAPTAIN

BRIAN SORENSEN IZZY CHRISTIANSEN JESS PARK

The 42-year-old is testing his credentials in England following successful spells in Denmark. There he won silverware with three different clubs, plus he also has Champions League experience in the dugout. He likes his charges to play a possession-based game, while defending from the front.

The Macclesfield-born midfielder spent time with United in her youth career before kicking off her senior career with Everton. Spells at Birmingham City, Manchester City and Lyon followed, before returning to Everton in 2019. The ex-England international has an eye for a pass but is also tenacious in the tackle.

The 21-year-old is on a season-long loan from Manchester City, where she had made 52 appearances in City’s senior ranks as a lively forward. Her early days at Everton have been impressive – so much so, she won her first England cap last month, and scored against Japan in the Lionesses’ 4-0 victory.

PREVIOUSLY...

The Reds have a strong record against Everton, with nine wins from 11 matches. Three of those wins have come at home, the most recent being at Old Trafford last season (3-1). Since that sunny day in March, the sides have gone toe-to-toe again, with Marc Skinner’s team winning 3-0 at the Toffees’ Walton Hall Park in October’s WSL meeting: Nikita Parris (against her old club), Leah Galton and Hayley Ladd getting the goals. We now target a victory in our first-ever home meeting outside of the league with the Blues, although we did beat Everton 3-0 in the Conti Cup away from home in our maiden meeting, in December 2018 (above), while the Toffees’ one win against us also came in the Conti Cup, by a 1-0 scoreline in Merseyside in December 2020.

“THERE WAS BITE IN OUR PRESS. IN THE SECOND HALF WE STARTED LOOKING MORE LIKE WHAT WE WANT TO DO”

– SORENSEN ON THE CONTI CUP WIN v SHEFFIELD UNITED

1. True or false: Sophie Baggaley has started both of our Conti Cup ties so far this season?

BEGINNER ADVANCED

2. At which stadium was our last home game against Everton played? 3. Including ourselves, how many teams are in United’s Continental League Cup group? 4. Which three players have scored our three goals in the Conti Cup so far this season?

Who wore United’s no.20 shirt before Aissatou Tounkara joined the club earlier this year?

Who am I? I joined Everton in 2017, leaving for United the next year, for whom I once scored a hat-trick against Millwall?

BRINGING YOUNGSTERS TOGETHER

been fun to meet new people,” said Shriya. The RTC members also benefited, as noted by Francesca from the U13s: “It’s been great,” she said. “I feel like I’ve played better because when you are speaking, you are helping them [the Ability Counts players] and you feel good, they feel good, and you play better as a team. It’s made us realise we can use these skills with our team-mates and just be more positive overall.”

All the amazing work done by Manchester United Foundation is to benefit the lives of young people who need help the most, regardless of their background, circumstances or abilities.

That was once again the case recently when the Foundation put on an inclusive football tournament, in which members of the Regional Talent Club (RTC) and participants from the Ability Counts programme – which helps youngsters with disabilities get out and play the sport – competed to highlight

a special date on the calendar. International Day of Persons with Disabilities takes place annually on 3 December, with the Foundation running a week-long series of events such as the tournament, as well as awareness workshops, to celebrate the disabled people involved.

Players from Ability Counts, such as goalkeeper Shriya, 15, were mixed in with members of the RTC’s U10s and U13s teams for small-sided games, which proved a hit. “I’ve had chances to receive and pass the ball; it’s made me feel included and it’s

Foundation operations director Matt Johnson was also enthused, saying: “At United, we want to develop good people first, before being good players. To be a good person, you need to have strong values, morals, attitudes and behaviours, and this is a really inclusive way of getting two sets of girls who love football to unite.”

Disability and inclusion co-ordinator Matt Pilkington added: “It’s been an empowering experience for the girls, which gives them the resilience not to give up. The girls will take so much confidence from it.”

For more, visit mufoundation.org

A heartwarming night under the floodlights, with Shriya (right, top) and Francesca (right, bottom) among those to get their boots on

Foundation marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities by hosting inclusive kickabout

RED ARMY!

↑ Olivia and Orla are in their second year as MUW season ticket holders – Olivia is a midfielder and Orla’s a goalkeeper for Rammy Rapids’ U10 team.

← Jess Hunt has sent us this lovely family pic, saying: ‘We are season ticket holders and never miss home games, and we do go to some away games too.’ Sounds like you’ll all be here tonight then!

↑ Izzy, age 9, is always excited to watch Mary Earps, and she is football obsessed! Enjoy the game.

↑

was very happy when our no.7 stopped for a selfie here at LSV – ‘thanks, Ella!’ says Andrew Jackson.

← Here’s another Ella Toone pic – it’s from Leicester away, when fan Josh Costa met the Reds. Josh was at the Villa game with his dad Luis, who will be 60 next month.

Keira

↑ Young Oliver turned seven in October, and here he is alongside his favourite player Alessia Russo. Look at that smile!

Opening doors to leadership

Football provides skills that last a lifetime. That’s why the Barclays Community Football Fund is giving grants to community sports groups who need it most. Find out more at home.barclays/footballfund

Community Football Fund

Barclays Bank UK PLC is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register number: 759676). Registered in England. Registered no. 9740322. Registered office: 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP.

● WSL TABLE, 2022/23

Ona Batlle 5 1 0 0 1 0 6 1

Sophie Baggaley 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0

Hannah Blundell 8 1 0 0 0(1) 0 8(1) 1

Vilde Boe Risa 0(4) 0 0 0 2 1 2(4) 1

Mary Earps 8 0 0 0 0 0 8 0

Leah Galton 8 3 0 0 0 0 8 3

Lucia Garcia 5(2) 1 0 0 0(1) 0 5(3) 1

Hayley Ladd 6(2) 1 0 0 1(1) 0 7(3) 1

Maya Le Tissier 8 2 0 0 2 0 10 2

Adriana Leon 0(4) 1 0 0 2 0 2(4) 1

Jade Moore 0(3) 0 0 0 2 1 2(3) 1

Nikita Parris 6(2) 2 0 0 1(1) 1 7(3) 3

Alessia Russo 5(1) 4 0 0 0 0 5(1) 4

Lucy Staniforth 2(2) 0 0 0 1 0 3(2) 0

Martha Thomas 0(8) 0 0 0 2 0 2(8) 0

Maria Thorisdottir 3(1) 0 0 0 2 0 5(1) 0

Ella Toone 8 3 0 0 0(1) 0 8(1) 3

Aissatou Tounkara 0(1) 0 0 0 2 0 2(1) 0

Millie Turner 8 1 0 0 1 0 9 1

Rachel Williams 0(4) 1 0 0 1 0 1(4) 1

Katie Zelem 8 2 0 0 0(2) 0 8(2) 2

● WSL TOP SCORERS, 2022/23

Khadija Shaw (Manchester City) 8

Rachel Daly (Aston Villa) 8

Katie Stengel (Liverpool) 6

Sam Kerr (Chelsea) 5

Fran Kirby (Chelsea) 5

Ella Toone 112 44

Katie Zelem 109 29

Leah Galton 92 25

Millie Turner 92 6

Kirsty Hanson 90 16

Mary Earps 77 0

Hayley Ladd 70 6

Amy Turner 67 4

Jessica Sigsworth 66 26

Jackie Groenen 60 0

Kirsty Smith 58 1

Ona Batlle 56 3

Lauren James 56 28

Martha Harris 49 1

Alessia Russo 41 18

Maria Thorisdottir 41 1

Lucy Staniforth 39 3

Hannah Blundell 38 1

Lizzie Arnot 34 9

Jane Ross 34 7

Martha Thomas 34 6

Vilde Boe Risa 31 4

Mollie Green 29 16

Siobhan Chamberlain 27 0

Alex Greenwood 27 5

Abbie McManus 25 2

Ivana Ferreira Fuso 21 2

Charlie Devlin 20 6

Aoife Mannion 19 0

Christen Press 17 4

Aimee Palmer 15 1

Tobin Heath 11 4

Carrie Jones 10 0

Maya Le Tissier 10 2

Lotta Okvist 10 0

Nikita Parris 10 3

Sophie Baggaley 8 0

Lucia Garcia 8 1

Jade Moore 8 1

Signe Brunn 7 0

Diane Caldwell 6 0

Adriana Leon 6 1

Emily Ramsey 6 0

Rachel Williams 5 1

Naomi Hartley 3 0

Aissatou Tounkara 3 0

Fran Bentley 2 0

Tara Bourne 1 0

Rebecca May 1 0

Aurora Mikalsen 1 0

Karna Solskjaer 1 0

(Names in italics have left the club)

REDS ON

DATE 1 JUNE 2014 LOCATION STADIUM MK, MILTON KEYNES

Seeing as it’s a cup night, let’s dig out a cup memory... albeit one from the Women’s FA Cup rather than the League Cup, and from four years before Manchester United Women was even formed as a professional side. That’s not to say it doesn’t have United connections though – and it involves our latest opponents, on a day when Everton were out to lift the Women’s FA Cup for a third time, while their opponents Arsenal were seeking a 13th triumph. Lining up for the Toffees on Sunday 1 June 2014 was a very young Millie Turner (a month before her 18th birthday), along with Nikita Parris and future United skipper Alex Greenwood – both of whom were relative veterans at the age of 20. Played at the home of MK Dons – the last final before it was

moved to Wembley in 2015 – the incredibly youthful Blues were clear underdogs against the experienced Gunners, who also had future Reds in their squad: Casey Stoney was in commanding form as Arsenal won 2-0, with keeper Siobhan Chamberlain on the subs’ bench for the Londoners. Alongside our Millie for the losing side that day was another 17-year-old defender in Gabby George, who as the only remaining Toffee from that final could well start against us this evening in the Conti Cup. The attendance for the showpiece fixture was 15,000, a figure that will no doubt be far higher for this season’s Women’s FA Cup final, with both United and Everton entering the 2022/23 competition in the fourth-round stage on the final weekend of January.

Right: a teenage Millie pre-match; Stoney and Parris scrap for the ball!

MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN EVERTON WOMEN

Head coach: Marc Skinner Manager: Brian Sorensen

Ona Batlle Maria Thorisdottir Jade Moore Aoife Mannion Hannah Blundell Ella Toone Vilde Boe Risa Martha Thomas Katie Zelem Leah Galton Hayley Ladd Maya Le Tissier Lucia Garcia Adriana Leon Aissatou Tounkara Millie Turner Nikita Parris Alessia Russo Grace Clinton Mary Earps (GK) Rachel Williams Sophie Baggaley (GK) Lucy Staniforth Safia Middleton-Patel (GK) Jessica Simpson

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 15 17 19 20 21 22 23 26 27 28 32 37 39 45

MATCH OFFICIALS

2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 27 28 32

Katrine Veje Rikke Sevecke Nathalie Bjorn Gabrielle George Clare Wheeler Izzy Christiansen Toni Duggan Hanna Bennison Jessica Park Emily Ramsey (GK) Nicoline Sorensen Agnes Beever-Jones Lucy Graham Courtney Brosnan (GK) Gio Megan Finnigan Leonie Maier Aurora Galli Kenzie Weir Katja Snoeijs Elise Stenevik Karen Holmgaard Peyton Henderson (GK)

Referee Simon Mather • Assistants Lewis Raper, Ivan Stankovic Fourth official Dane McCarrick