Manchester United Women v Leicester City Women match programme, WSL, 15.10.23

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

2023/24 SEASON • VOLUME 06 ISSUE 03

MANCHESTER

UNITED WOMEN V

LEICESTER CITY WOMEN

Barclays Women’s Super League SUNDAY 15 October 2023 ○ 12PM

#allredallequal

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12/10/2023 07:50

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02/10/2023 23:28

IT’S MATCHDAY!

W H AT ’ S I N S I D E

04 HEAD COACH’S COLUMN 06 BIG PICTURE 09 COUNTDOWN TO KICK-OFF 13

REDS REPORT

16

FAN PHOTOS AT LSV

18

LISA NAALSUND INTERVIEW

25

KATIE ZELEM COLUMN

26

SIGNED PLAYER POSTER

28

THE RED FOXES

37

MU FOUNDATION

38

THE OPPOSITION

41

PLAYER CHANT

44 JUNIOR REDS 47

04

18

03

STATS SECTION

50 ADDED-TIME QUIZ

28 MATCH PROGRAMME TEAM Editor Charlie Ghagan Editor-in-chief Ian McLeish Contributors Helen Rowe-Willcocks, Jamie Spencer, Sean Mullan, Matthew Brown Photography Charlotte Tattersall, Ash Donelon, John Peters, Matt Peters, Getty, Alamy Design Tom Chase, Kulsum Karolia, Andy Ball, Jake Paul Thanks to Ellie Decrop, Steve Bennett, Benjamin Williams Printed by MuPrint.com © Manchester United 2023

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UNITED WOMEN

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

12/10/2023 08:30

AS AN EVENTFUL WEEK DRAWS TO A CLOSE, THE BOSS KNOWS WE FACE SOME MUCH-IMPROVED OPPONENTS TODAY...

MARC SKINNER W

04

UNITED WOMEN

elcome back to Leigh Sports Village, for a much earlier kick-off than the two games we’ve just had here, in what’s been a very busy week.

I’m sure quite a few of you were at the PSG match on Tuesday, and I was immensely proud of how we got ourselves back into the game that night. It was literally the clichéd game of two halves: PSG were counterattacking in the second half – they were very physical – whereas the first half was the fastest and highest intensity football we’ve faced as a team – even more so than Arsenal in our previous game. It just took our players to see it, feel it, and then at half-time they fixed it. So I was proud of the resilience we showed in the first half, and proud of our effort, quality and commitment in the second half.

We’re new to the Champions League so we needed to pay respect to that.

In the first half we were adapting and evolving, ready to defend against both PSG systems. And once we knew exactly how they were going to play, we unleashed the players that needed to do the business, and they did.

Geyse came on and was a focal point to pull their players all over the place. Geyse is enjoying herself. She took a knock against Arsenal, so we thought we’d give her 45 minutes, and she

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gave us a different level, as did Melvine. She is vibrant and injects that into us all at the training ground. She’s had a small injury we’ve had to manage, but you’ll see a lot of Mel this season. Her role is new to her, but she’ll continue to grow into it.

Inevitably, as soon as that game finished the talk began about the second leg in Paris this coming week, but since Tuesday our primary focus has been on today’s opponents Leicester. Under Willie Kirk, who United fans will know as a former assistant coach here, they’ve started the season with two wins from two to put them top of the WSL heading into this weekend. So they’ll arrive with real confidence today, and helped by some quality signings they should have a much-improved season than last year.

It’s been an unprecedented week on home soil, with three games in a row to start our Leigh campaign, and after two draws that we so easily could have won, we really want to send you supporters home with a victory to celebrate today. It’s also set to be a big day for Mary Earps as she reaches 100 games for United, and I’m extremely proud of Mary for the growth she’s had as a player and as a person. She’s in a fantastic phase of her career, and I believe she will keep getting better.

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HEAD COACH 05

UNITED WOMEN

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BIG PICTURE 06

LANDMARK NIGHT UNDER THE LSV LIGHTS UNITED WOMEN

The Reds proudly pose for a pre-match team photo ahead of a momentous occasion here in Leigh five nights ago. While five of our starting XI against Paris Saint-Germain (Mary Earps, Katie Zelem, Hannah Blundell, Lucia Garcia and Lisa Naalsund) had previous experience in the Champions League, for the remaining six it was a first taste of European club football at this level – as it was for United Women as a team, of course. Such a photo is customary for such prestigious continental fixtures, as is the pennant (as held by Naalsund), which teams exchange as a symbol of friendship and mark of respect. Next stop after today: Parc des Princes...

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BIG PICTURE 07

UNITED WOMEN

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12/10/2023 07:57

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21/03/2023 19:29 02/10/2023 22:34

M AT C H P R E V I E W

COUNTDOWN TO KICK-OFF All four stands will be open today as the Reds continue to pull in the crowds

PART THREE AT LSV...

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09

UNITED WOMEN

It was December 2021 when the Reds last played three games in a row at home, and today we host Willie Kirk’s Leicester, hot on the heels of two gripping encounters here in WN7.

Curiously, that previous home streak also concluded with a game against the Foxes at noon on a Sunday – that one being a draw (followed by a shoot-out loss) in the Conti Cup. The visitors will also have good memories of an FA Cup win here earlier that year, but it’s been a different story in the league, with United winning all seven of our previous WSL/Championship clashes. The East Midlands side ended last season strongly, however, and having recruited well this summer they’ve kicked on further. They’ve won their last three WSL games – their best-ever run – and since the start of April, only Chelsea and United have won more WSL points. The Foxes won again in midweek – ex-Red Aimee Palmer on target in a 2-1 Conti Cup victory against in-form Liverpool.

Manchester City and Everton are also in that group,

which the Reds will join as a fifth team – but only if we fail to get past PSG in the Champions League.

We’re all hoping that won’t be the case, with the tie delicately poised at 1-1 at the halfway stage, and with Wednesday’s second leg in mind, it’ll be fascinating to see how Marc Skinner utilises his squad today. In the WSL we’ve had the same starting XI for both games, while changes were made for the PSG first leg, so what will be in his thoughts for this important league game just three days before Paris? His options in attack are plentiful: Melvine Malard once again stepped off the bench to score last time out, while in the WSL Geyse has attempted a league-high number of take-ons in the opposition half (12). And that’s before we get to Lucia Garcia, Leah Galton, Nikita Parris and Rachel Williams! Just behind the attack, Hinata Miyazawa was pulling the strings after joining the action on Tuesday, and we’ve yet to see World Cup-winning midfielder Irene Guerrero.

Skinner will have many big decisions to make with his selections in the coming days and weeks, but he’ll consider that to be a ‘good problem’. And on the back of two draws at LSV, every decision he makes today will be with a view to securing a 17th win in our last 20 WSL home outings. Let’s go!

01

Following Arsenal and PSG, United’s triple-header to begin our home campaign draws to a close today

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TOP-FLIGHT PREVIEW 10

ACROSS THE WSL Heading into matchday three, the only sides with a 100 per cent record are Leicester and Liverpool, which already bodes well for both teams’ hopes of improving on last term – for context, it took the Merseysiders nine games to rack up six points last season, while the Foxes took a dozen, before both found a bit of form to rise up the table come the new year.

As impressive as Willie Kirk’s Foxes have been in beating Bristol City and Everton so far in 2023/24, Liverpool – led by experienced boss Matt Beard – have most caught the eye in the opening weeks.

After beating Arsenal 1-0 at the Emirates on the opening day, Beard’s side followed that up with a 2-0 home win against an Aston Villa side that some were predicting to push the top four this season.

Two wins, and two clean sheets, against such quality opposition suggests that Liverpool could be better placed to target those top spots, with a new-look backline of Grace Fisk, Gemma Bonner and Jenna Clark forming a quick understanding.

Next up for Liverpool today is the small matter of a Merseyside derby at Anfield (4.30pm). The hosts will be favourites, although most of the 27,574 fans who attended the same fixture last year will recall a desperately disappointing day, when Brian Sorensen’s Everton smashed their rivals 3-0.

Three further fixtures take place today, all with staggered kick-offs between our game and the Merseyside derby. At 1pm, Manchester City face

UNITED WOMEN

ALE X G REEN WO O D’ S V ERY H ARS H DI S M I S S A L WI LL ACT A S A ST ER N REMI N DER OF T H E STRI CTER RU L ES ON TI ME-WA ST I N G

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Liverpool were victorious with a clean sheet once again last weekend

Bristol City at Joie (Academy) Stadium. The hosts will have to do it without key players Alex Greenwood (below) and Lauren Hemp following their red cards in the draw with Chelsea last weekend. For ex-Red Greenwood, her dismissal seemed very harsh, but it’ll act as a stern reminder of how WSL officials have been instructed to be stricter with time-wasting, as well as appeals.

At 2pm, Arsenal are back at the Emirates, where they’ll host Carla Ward’s out-of-sorts Aston Villa – both sides will be seeking a first WSL win of the season. And then for the 4pm kick-off, between Brighton and Tottenham at Broadfield Stadium.

New Spurs boss Robert Vilahamn has needed to get by without the injured Beth England so far, but Martha Thomas has started very well, with three goals in three games in all competitions since her move down south from United.

As for champions Chelsea, they were in action last night, with West Ham the visitors to Kingsmeadow. United fans wouldn’t have been the only set of supporters hoping for an away win there, but Blues boss Emma Hayes wouldn’t expect it any other way...

12/10/2023 08:35

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1 UNITED Malard 70

1 PSG

FIVE DAYS AGO

Chawinga 53 UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifying round two, first leg Leigh Sports Village, Tue 10 Oct

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13

UNITED WOMEN

ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY: Reds recover from a nervy start on our European bow to draw a first leg that we ultimately could have won.

RIVIERE AND NAALSUND START: Changes were predicted considering the depth of quality in reserve amid a busy three-game week, but the starting XI was still unexpected: in came Jayde Riviere – as a right wing-back in front of Hannah Blundell – with Lisa Naalsund in midfield. Leah Galton took the other wing-back role, with Lucia Garcia up front in a 4-5-1 set-up that was a departure from our usual 4-2-3-1.

GROENEN’S RETURN: Players don’t always receive a warm welcome upon returning to their old club, but Jackie Groenen certainly did, as she no doubt

appreciated when she heard the applause as her name was read out in the line-ups ahead of the game.

LIVELY (UNITED) FANS: While the absence of any away fans (seriously, were there any?!) made for a different atmosphere to the Arsenal game, the 4,827 at LSV were all up for it once that Champions League anthem kicked in, with ex-Reds Kirsty Hanson and David De Gea, as well as England Women boss Sarina Wiegman, among those spotted in the crowd. The North Stand terrace was shut for the night – as was the penalty area up that end for most of the first half as our French visitors laid siege on Mary Earps’s goal...

HOLDING ON AT THE BACK: Thankfully, PSG’s finishing wasn’t as sharp as their approach play, with Tabitha Chawinga, Sandy Baltimore and Lieke Martens all missing good chances. A long delay on 14 minutes as a result of a nasty ankle injury to Oriane Jean-Francois would enable Marc Skinner and his charges to assess where things were going wrong.

LUCIA RACES IN: Nearing the half-hour mark, still PSG keeper Constance Picaud had barely touched the ball, until a sloppy backpass was jumped

01

REDS REPORT

M AT C H A C T I O N & N E W S

TIMELINE OF ALL THE RECENT ACTION AND NEWS

As Malard pounces to level, look at those faces behind the goal!

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M AT C H A C T I O N & N E W S 14

upon by Lucia Garcia. Lucia went one-on-one with Picaud, but couldn’t quite get around her. So close!

HALF-TIME CHANGES: The interval would see a switch in personnel – Geyse coming on for Riviere – and with it a change to a more attacking set-up.

CHAWINGA SCORES ON THE COUNTER: Geyse’s introduction immediately had Jocelyn Precheur’s side retreating, only for a sudden counterattack on 54 minutes to put Chawinga clean through, and she calmly beat Earps to break the deadlock.

CALL FOR KAT: Perhaps sensing a chance to turn the screw, Precheur immediately brought on star striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto, but Skinner responded by subbing on Melvine Malard and Hinata Miyazawa, and the pair were soon tormenting the Parisian side alongside Geyse.

We really could sense an equaliser coming!

MELVINE BRINGS US LEVEL: Much like against Arsenal days earlier, Malard’s quick thinking in the box proved vital – this time she used her head to nod in from close-range after Millie Turner had headed Zelem’s corner back across goal. The noise from the crowd was quite something...

SO CLOSE TO A WINNER: The Reds continued to push on, with PSG struggling to deal with Zelem’s set pieces. And Malard nearly got a second when she got on the end of Miyazawa’s whipped ball into the area, but Mel’s header was just off target.

Minutes later came the full-time whistle, meaning it’s all square (remember, the away goals rule doesn’t apply anymore) as we head to Paris.

BRIGHTON AVAILABILITY For fans looking to attend our WSL away game against Brighton on Sunday 5 November (6.45pm at Broadfield Stadium), we have received an allocation of 1,150 tickets, which at the time of writing are on sale to all supporters.

This includes four wheelchair spaces, 142 in a reserved seated area and 1,000 in unreserved standing. Tickets are £12 for adults, £6 for under-18s/over-65s, with a family bundle offer for £24. Away tickets for next Sunday’s trip to Everton are sold out.

Scan the code to check the latest availability.

MUTV TO SCREEN PSG TIE Before Merseyside and Crawley there is Paris – and at the time of print there are still tickets (£11) available for PSG away, to United Women season ticket holders, men’s team season ticket holders and executive club members, as well as official members. Scan the code above for the latest, but if you can’t make it to Parc des Princes, the game will be broadcast live on MUTV, but in UK and Ireland only, due to

UNITED WOMEN

PLAYER REACTION...

broadcasting restrictions. Home teams own

“We had to weather the storm for the first 45, but that’s what you have to do to win these kind of games,” summarised Maya Le Tissier to MUTV. “We went into the game with a plan, and in the second half we definitely executed it a little bit better. We changed shape a bit – we knew we needed to be braver on the ball to win those one-v-one battles, which our attack and midfield did so well in the second half.”

PSG’s own channels for coverage of the game.

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global media rights in the UWCL, so fans who are not in the UK or Ireland should check

There will be more away fans at Parc des Princes than at LSV on Tuesday, that’s a certainty

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PICTURE SPECIAL

‘TAKE ME HOME...’

IT WAS SUCH A BUZZ TO RETURN TO LSV FOR THE ARSENAL GAME, WITH OUR SNAPPER CAPTURING THE EXCITEMENT OF FANS, BOTH OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE STADIUM

16 Some of our most dedicated Reds enjoy the pre-match build-up...

Two very happy punters with their £2 purchase!

This fabu-lash flag came all the way from Gloucestershire

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So many young fans were here to enjoy a Friday night under the lights

PICTURE SPECIAL

T-shirt weather, or big coats and furry hoods – you decide!

Huddling up for a nice group photo..

17 You’ve come a long way, kid...

Let’s assume the fan with the sign was a Gooner!

We hope the birthday girl had first dibs on the choice of shirt colour...

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UNITED WOMEN

A half-and-half scarf for a half-and-half photo...

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INTERVIEW 18

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LISA NAALSUND

SPEAKING TO US AHEAD OF HER STARTING BERTH AGAINST PSG, MIDFIELDER LISA NAALSUND SHARES HER OPTIMISM FOR AN INJURY-FREE SEASON, WHILE PRAISING THE HEALTHY RIVALRY WITHIN THE GROUP...

There is competition, yes – but also camaraderie

19

INTERVIEW: HELEN ROWE-WILLCOCKS

It’s lovely to talk to you, Lisa. We’d like to start by asking you about your time so far at United.

You’ve struggled with injury since joining in January – how are you feeling at the moment?

I am feeling good, thank you for asking. I have been injury-free for the whole of pre-season so it is nice to train with the team the whole time.

It’s a good feeling and I am ready to get going when I am called upon. It’s nice to be here at the start of the season fully fit and ready to go.

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Away from football, did you have a good break over the summer? Did you get to go to Norway and see your family?

I did. It was nice to be home for a while and have time to relax away from a football pitch. The end of the season was so busy with a lot to do both on and off the pitch. When I am in England it is nice of course but then going home feels really special.

It’s great to have time to spend with my friends and family, especially as I don’t get to see them as much during the season. Norway always feels so wonderful but then at the same time, it was great to come back and get ready for this season too.

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It must have been hard coming to a new club and doing rehabilitation rather than being out on the pitch with your new team-mates...

Yes. But they were really nice, of course. Even if I wasn’t training fully with them and just having rehabilitation sessions, I felt like they were welcoming. It’s always hard joining a new team

and understanding how things work but they were so kind to me. It’s a nice, welcoming group, and that is something that’s very special here.

You feel part of it right from the first day.

12/10/2023 07:57

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

I T ’ S BEEN I N T E R E ST I N G TO GE T US E D TO T H E DI F F EREN T ST Y L E S OF P L AY H ERE... BU T I A M LU C K Y TH AT UN I T E D H AV E A LOT OF P OS SES S I O N I N G A M ES Your injury meant you sadly missed out on a place in Norway’s World Cup squad. Did you watch all their games as they made the last 16?

Of course I would have loved to have been on the team but unfortunately injury prevented that. It was nice to watch them; I watched all the games.

We would have liked to have got further but it wasn’t meant to be. I always support my team but we didn’t do as well as we wanted to.

20

Before joining the Reds, you played in Norway’s Toppserien for Arna-Bjornar and Brann. What has the transition been like into the WSL? Are the set-ups and styles different?

It’s a lot different over here, I feel. It’s been interesting to get used to the different styles. It’s a

UNITED WOMEN

Rediscoving her match fitness against Tottenham in pre-season

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Lisa was in the starting XI on Tuesday, having previously played Champions League football in Norway with Brann

lot more direct football over here and in Norway it’s more about possession. It’s like I have had to learn another type of way to play football. But I am lucky that Manchester United are one of those teams that like to keep possession and have a lot of possession in games, so that has been a nice combination of the two styles for me. I have enjoyed learning the different styles. I came to Manchester United because it felt like the right time for a challenge from what I was used to.

This season is your first full one at the club. Have you set yourself any targets?

My number one target is to be injury-free for this season. It’s been difficult for the past couple of years. I want to contribute as much as possible and continue to get better. I want playing time as much as possible and I am going to work hard in training so that I get that, and make sure I am fully ready when my chance comes.

12/10/2023 07:57

FULL NAME Lisa Fjeldstad Naalsund DATE OF BIRTH 11 June 1995 PLACE OF BIRTH Bergen, Norway SENIOR CAREER 2012-18 Arna-Bjornar 157 games, 35 goals 2019-22 Brann 96 games, 18 goals 2023- Manchester United 3 games, 0 goals INTERNATIONAL CAREER Norway 11 caps, 0 goals

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21

The fans can’t wait to see more of you this season. Within this team, what do you think is your most important role, on and off the pitch?

Good question! On the pitch I feel like I can contribute with a lot of energy, and cover a lot of ground and spaces. That is what I think I am best at. Off the pitch, I hope that I can be a good person and a good team-mate to the rest of the team... that’s what I try to do anyway!

We’re already a few games into the new season and the games are coming thick and fast. We had a record attendance at LSV for the game against Arsenal. Is it exciting to feel like the women’s game is growing once again?

Yes, it’s special. I have been sitting on the bench for the first few games but I feel like I am part of something big because the supporters and

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Lisa’s debut came against Lewes in last season’s FA Cup

Pre-season started with the World Cup still going on and then there was an international break just before the start of the season. With such a busy build-up to 2023/24, has there been a chance for all the new players to bond and embed themselves within the squad?

It was certainly an unusual one. We had a lot of new players come in at the end of the transfer window and just before the international break and then all of a sudden the season started. It was so busy and it felt unusual. Of course we would have liked to have had our new players in for the whole of pre-season but I feel like the players that came in have fit straight into the group. They bring good energy and it’s great to have them here.

LISA NAALSUND

Togetherness is the word used over and over again about this squad, and it sounds like you recognise that also...

I think it is a nice group of players because we are all good people. We all want the best for each other. When people get their chances we support them and cheer for them. There is competition, yes, but also camaraderie. I feel like that is going to help a lot when we are playing games, especially when there are a lot of games, and we are training every day together. There will be more changes this season with more games and we will always support each other, whether on or off the pitch.

12/10/2023 07:57

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Alongside Hinata and Irene on Tuesday – all three of whom have moved from an overseas league to the WSL in 2023

22

everything are so brilliant. Watching throughout the game, there is a buzz. It feels like the game is just growing and growing. Each season it feels more. It’s pretty exciting to be a part of that.

This is our third home game in a row – is it a special feeling coming to Leigh and getting to see that support for the team?

I think it is amazing. I really do believe our fans are one of a kind. We can feel them, feel the energy they bring to each game. We hear them all the way through the game, no matter what. They really are an important part of Manchester United and it always spurs us on to be better and to not give up.

UNITED WOMEN

Our latest opponents Leicester have had a strong start to the season, beating Everton and Bristol City. What did you make of those results?

It shows just how many good teams there are in the WSL. Even the teams that people think might be weaker, or see them as the easier games, are going to battle all the way. I think that all the teams can get points from anyone so that is going to be something that is really exciting for the fans and make things hard for any team in the league. It will be exciting to see how it goes throughout the season and how it ends in May.

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GIVING U P IS NOT IN O U R D NA – T HE W HO LE SQ UA D FE E LS LIK E T HAT, W HE T HE R YO U A R E O N T HE P ITC H O R NOT We finished second last season and reached the Cup final. We’re sure you’re hoping that we can go one step further and win some silverware...

Of course. That will be the dream and the one we will be working towards every day. We are going to work hard to make that happen. We have seen in the first games that giving up is not in our DNA. We will always give it our all. The whole squad feels like that whether you are on the pitch or not.

Last year’s top four have all dropped points in the opening two WSL matchdays. Does it show just how tight this season is going to be in the race for the title and those top-three spots?

I really think so. It will be a lot of fun for the fans.

All the teams now have a chance. Nobody is going to run away with it, and that’s exciting.

12/10/2023 07:57

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C A P TA I N ' S C O L U M N

ZEL’S NOTES

AS THE REDS CONTINUE OUR HECTIC START TO THE NEW SEASON, THE SKIPPER SALUTES OUR QUEEN OF STOPS...

T

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25 Zel and Mary – who have been United team-mates since July 2019 – keep their focus ahead of Tuesday’s tussle with PSG

absolutely everything today – as we know from last season, you can’t afford to drop many points in the WSL if you want to stay up there at the top.

And finally, I just want to say a few words on Mary. Her next appearance will be her 100th in goal for us, which is some achievement.

Whenever you join a new club you want to give your all from day one and hope it’s a long-term thing, and she’s certainly done that. And to do it at a club as big as United is something to treasure.

Enjoy the game, everyone.

UNITED WOMEN

here were some nerves at the start of the game on Tuesday, and that was understandable with it being the club’s first-ever Women’s Champions League game. We had a lot riding on it but I thought there were so many positives to take from the night, especially in the second half.

As much as we want to start turning these draws into wins – and we were really unfortunate against Arsenal with their brilliant late goal – in the second half on Tuesday I thought we really showed our potential for the season ahead. It’s a two-legged tie against PSG, and after falling behind on the night it was important that we kept ourselves in the tie going into the second leg. We did that, and Wednesday is all set up to be a very exciting night.

Between the two games with PSG we have Leicester today, of course. Leicester are a really good side that have come a long way since we first played them in the Championship in our first season.

They play some excellent football, as they did in their wins against Bristol City and Everton to start this season, and we’ll need to be at our best today. Already there have been one or two results in the WSL that people maybe wouldn’t have predicted, so we know we’ll need to give

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28

RED FOXES HERE’S A FUN FACT: UNITED HAVE MORE PL AYER LINKS TO LEICESTER THAN ANY OTHER SIDE – AS WE EXPLORE!

WORDS: JAMIE SPENCER

UNITED WOMEN 28_35_Leicester played for both.CGIM.indd 18

12/10/2023 08:05

LEICESTER CITY LINKS

T

here’s usually a strong feeling of familiarity whenever we go up against the Foxes, and that should be the case again today, with Aimee Palmer back on old turf, while Leicester boss Willie Kirk also returns to LSV, having previously been assistant to Casey Stoney at United. In fact, we’ve now got more connections with the East Midlands side than we do with Liverpool, after a number of players switched from the Reds of Merseyside to Manchester following our formation in the summer of 2018.

In alphabetical order, here’s a recap of those to have represented both sides...

Cha rlie D evlin

United: 2018-19: 21 games, 6 goals Leicester: 2019-22: 39 games, 5 goals

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UNITED HIGHLIGHT: In our first game of 2019, against London Bees, it was important to begin the new year in the right manner after suffering what would be our only loss of the Championship season at the hands of Durham in the final game before Christmas. Thanks to 20-year-old Devlin, the Reds were swift out of the blocks, Charlie sniffing out the chance to turn the ball in from close range when Mollie Green’s shot came back off the post after just two minutes. Devlin then scored our opening goal of the second half, barging her marker out the way to get on the ball and shoot powerfully beyond Bees keeper Sarah Quantrill. Not done there, Devlin set up Lizzie Arnot by deflecting a cross into her path, and our no.14 came close to a hat-trick when she struck the woodwork. It would end 9-0, a club-record home win, with our attack-minded midfielders receiving special praise: “I have to say Ella Toone and Charlie Devlin were incredible in terms of their link-up play,” said a delighted boss Casey Stoney.

LEICESTER HIGHLIGHT: Leicester’s promotion in 2020/21 was the second time Devlin had been part of a Championship-winning side, and having developed as a player as she approached her mid-twenties – via a spell at Charlton – Charlie admitted that getting her hands on the trophy “felt better” with Leicester, purely as a result of

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LEICESTER CITY LINKS

being more directly involved in the success. With promotion already secured and the Foxes given a guard of honour by Charlton for the final game, Charlie capped off the season in fine fashion when she beat two defenders with trickery down the left to set up the opener in the 4-0 win. She also assisted Leicester’s second with a defence-splitting pass against her old team.

THESE DAYS... After spending 2022/23 on loan at Birmingham, Charlie joined them on a permanent deal this summer when her Foxes contract ended.

There she’s been reunited with other ex-Reds in Martha Harris, Jade Moore and Ivana Ferreira Fuso.

DID YOU KNOW? Having started out at Millwall as a youth player, Devlin was part of an Arsenal development team alongside future Euro 2022 winners Lotte Wubben-Moy and Chloe Kelly that won a league and cup double in 2015/16.

Charlie made two senior appearances for the Gunners before returning to Millwall in 2017.

C a r r i e Jo n e s

United: 2020-22: 10 games, 0 goals Leicester: 2022-23 (loan): 22 games, 2 goals

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she was primarily a development player at United, and was part of the junior side that achieved big things in 2021/22 as we won an Academy league and cup double under Charlotte Healy. Jones was splitting her time between the senior team and development squad at the stage, and crowned a superb season by playing 90 minutes in each leg of the U18 league final against Chelsea as United cruised to a 6-2 aggregate victory.

LEICESTER HIGHLIGHT: It isn’t too much of a stretch to suggest that Leicester owe a significant part of their continued WSL status to Jones, for her role in their dramatic win over Reading in April – a game that ticked every box as a ‘relegation six-pointer’. The Foxes won 2-1 thanks to Carrie keeping her cool in a crowded penalty area in the sixth minute of injury-time, as she controlled a tricky pass before cushioning the ball into the bottom corner. A different result could have changed the course of the season for both clubs: for Leicester, it gave them the impetus to win their next game, against Liverpool (Carrie scored in that one, too), as well as claiming maximum points on the last day. As for the despondent Royals, they went into freefall.

THESE DAYS... After returning to United at the end of her loan this summer, Carrie (left) joined newly promoted Bristol City

31

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UNITED HIGHLIGHT: A 16-year-old Jones was still awaiting her GCSE results when her move from Cardiff City Ladies to United was announced in June 2020. She’d gain first-team exposure with us in that debut season and became a regular off the bench in the final weeks, before signing a professional contract shortly after turning 18. However, Carrie’s age meant

Charlie takes on current club Birmingham in a WSL meeting in December 2021

12/10/2023 08:05

LEICESTER CITY LINKS

on a permanent deal. There she’s been reunited with her former Cardiff coach Lauren Smith, as well as a few Wales team-mates. Jones netted the Vixens’ first WSL goal of 2023/24, against Leicester.

DID YOU KNOW? A teen prodigy in Wales, Jones made her senior international debut aged 15, before she was allowed to play senior club football, which requires players to be 16.

Ab bi e M c M a n u s

32

being I can’t kick a ball without pain,’ she wrote in a statement. ‘If you know me you can imagine the tears pouring down my face whilst writing this.’

We all wish you the very best for the future, Abbie.

DID YOU KNOW? Despite spending many years with City, Abbie grew up supporting United. When she switched between the clubs in 2019, Bury-born McManus called it a “childhood dream come true”.

A imee Pa lmer

UNITED WOMEN

United: 2019-21: 25 games, 2 goals Leicester: 2021-23: 24 games, 1 goal

United: 2018-20: 15 games, 1 goal Leicester: 2023-present: 1 game, 1 goal

UNITED HIGHLIGHT: McManus agreed to join United shortly before going to the 2019 World Cup with England and, as a defender who had won six major trophies with Manchester City, added a big dose of experience to a squad about to embark on a maiden top-flight campaign. After two 0-1 losses to start 2019/20, Abbie really made her mark in our first-ever WSL win, at home to Liverpool. She had more possession than any player that day as we controlled the contest. When the Merseysiders did try to threaten, Abbie always seemed to be in the right place to cut them off en route to a confidence-boosting 2-0 win.

LEICESTER HIGHLIGHT: McManus scored a rare goal on her home debut for Leicester in 2021 – and it came against United. It proved to be no more than a consolation in a 3-1 loss, however, meaning the centre-back had more significant moments in the East Midlands. Come February of their maiden 2021/22 WSL season, Leicester had put a run of nine consecutive defeats behind them with some better results, but every outing was still crucial if they were to avoid the drop. Wearing the armband against West Ham, a stellar defensive display from Abbie underpinned a 3-0 win that ultimately delivered the points Leicester needed to stay up.

THESE DAYS... After joining Leicester following a loan from United to Tottenham, McManus was a Foxes regular in her debut campaign of 2021/22.

But a broken leg kept her out last season, and in September she made the difficult decision to retire, aged 30. ‘Since breaking my leg there have been many ups and downs, with the biggest down

UNITED HIGHLIGHT: As a teenager who featured more off the bench for the Reds, Palmer scored her first senior career goal on the day United lifted the Championship trophy in 2019, contributing to the 5-0 win over Lewes on a day of celebration. The young midfielder was a half-time replacement for Lizzie Arnot and thumped home our fourth goal with a powerful first-time strike from a weak Lewes clearance. In front of nearly 4,000 fans in the Leigh sunshine, Aimee was immediately mobbed by joyous team-mates, who were delighted to see her break her scoring duck.

28_35_Leicester played for both.CGIM.indd 21

A B B IE A D D E D A B IG D OS E O F E X P E R IE NC E TO A S Q UA D A B O U T TO E M B A R K O N A M A ID E N WS L C A M PA IG N

McManus retired just last month after a distinguished career in the English game

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LEICESTER CITY LINKS Palmer has started well with the Foxes following her summer move

34

LEICESTER HIGHLIGHT: Palmer signed a one-year contract with Leicester this summer after helping Bristol City back into the WSL by winning the Championship for the second time in her career. And what a start she made under Willie Kirk, firing in a left-footed equaliser from outside the box on her debut to spark Leicester’s opening-day comeback against her previous club.

DID YOU KNOW? Aimee was named Student of the Year at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College in 2018 shortly before she was recruited

by Casey Stoney. She achieved an A in her psychology A-level, as well as a B in biology and C in chemistry, earning her a place at the University of Salford upon her move to the North West.

Je s s S i g swo r t h

United: 2008-21: 66 games, 26 goals Leicester: 2021-23: 19 games, 2 goals

UNITED WOMEN

UNITED HIGHLIGHT: It has to be our first-ever league game – 12-0 away at Aston Villa on the opening day of 2018/19. Sigsworth scored five, including a first-half hat-trick, as United put down an early marker (to say the least!) in the Championship. For the first, Jess showed an impressive turn of pace and strength to surge through the Villa defence before coolly finishing.

The second saw our no.9 cut in from the left and fire a powerful right-footed shot high into the net from the edge of the box, before quick feet in the area got her a third from close-range. It was a

28_35_Leicester played for both.CGIM.indd 22

poacher’s finish for the fourth and her incredible day was rounded off with a clinical fifth from 10 yards out that took United into double figures.

LEICESTER HIGHLIGHT: As an ex-Red, Sigsworth couldn’t have picked a better moment for her first Leicester goal. She needed less than a minute when Manchester City visited the King Power in November 2021 to put the Foxes into the lead.

It was the result of her own tenacious pressing, forcing a mistake in possession from City’s Jill Scott, after which Jess raced through to calmly finish. A great moment, but with City fighting back to win we’ll look to later in the season, when Jess scored in a 2-1 Leicester win over Birmingham that would prove pivotal in both teams’ WSL fortunes.

THESE DAYS... After more than a year out with an ACL injury, Sigsworth made her return to the pitch for Leicester towards the end of last season before taking up a new challenge with Sheffield United in the summer, having previously been part of the club’s youth team. It also meant a reunion with former Leicester manager Jonathan Morgan.

DID YOU KNOW? Jess still holds a number of United records: as our top scorer in 2018/19 (17 league goals; 18 in all competitions) – no one since has scored more in a single season. That five-goal haul at Villa is the most any Red has scored in a single game, while the 10-minute treble in the same game is our fastest hat-trick. She also jointly holds the club record (with Ella Toone) for most consecutive league games scored in (seven).

N o t fo r g e t t i n g Tash and Mary...

Current Liverpool striker Natasha Flint, who was the Foxes’ top scorer in 2020/21 as they won promotion, was a United youth-teamer for more than a decade and a contemporary of Katie Zelem, Millie Turner and Gabby George.

Salford-born Flint was only five when she joined the Reds, with her senior career starting at Manchester City, before goal-laden spells at Blackburn (2017-20) and Leicester (2020-23,

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LEICESTER CITY LINKS

R a chel Willia ms

Injury held her back at Leicester, but Jess still enjoyed a few good moments

Leicester – the club and the city – will always mean a lot to Williams

28_35_Leicester played for both.CGIM.indd 23

LEICESTER HIGHLIGHT: Perhaps Rach’s greatest football legacy is the very formation of Leicester City Women. Born in the city and part of Leicester’s Centre of Excellence from the age of 12, there was no senior team for her or her fellow academy graduates to join when they turned 16 in 2004. “We begged [coach] Rehanne Skinner and our other manager to form a women’s team, and they formed Leicester Women,” she recalls. But the Foxes had to start at local level and Rach was part of a fledgling side that won the Leicestershire County League, East Midlands Southern League, East Midlands Premier League and Midlands Combination League (the equivalent of the third tier) in successive seasons, by the time she left for top-flight Doncaster Rovers Belles in 2008.

UNITED HIGHLIGHT: “I’ll bring my experience to the group, together with my one hundred per cent work rate and desire to win every game,” were her words when joining us in July 2022. Fast forward nine months and the striker used every ounce of that experience to keep her cool when bearing down on goal in the 89th minute of our FA Cup semi-final against Brighton. “She knew exactly what she needed to do,” smiled Marc Skinner post-match. We’ve seen other glimpses of Rachel’s match-winning potential, of course – such as the late WSL winner at Reading in January – but this Cup strike to send us to Wembley tops the list.

DID YOU KNOW? Previously a midfielder – whose box-to-box running and long shots saw her style of play compared with Steven Gerrard – it was after joining Birmingham in 2011 that Williams made the transition to a striker.

35

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right) ahead of her recent move to Merseyside. As for Mary Earps, our goalkeeper began her senior career with Leicester in 2009, following an impressive spell with their youth team, but, still only 16, she didn’t make a first-team appearance before moving to Nottingham Forest in 2010.

Leicester: 2000-08; 2010-11 (stats not known) United: 2022-present: 26 games, 7 goals

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06/10/2023 1:04 pm 06/10/2023 13:18

It’s a ball full of positivity!

Girls’ training session focuses on wellbeing Swapping a standard-size football for a smaller one is no easy task – as players from United’s Girls Academy discovered this week.

While it tested the girls’ ball control, it was a change made with reinforcing positive mental

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Visit mufoundation.org for more

37

UNITED WOMEN

‘Speak out’ and ‘be calm’ are among the positive messages

traits in mind. Recognising World Mental Health Day (10 October), the Foundation’s wellbeing ball was introduced to the session for the Girls Academy U11 and U12 teams.

The special football is used across the Foundation’s programmes, in both physical activity and classroom settings.

Printed on the ball are several phrases that encourage young people to be open about their feelings. “It’s really important the girls are aware they can talk about their mental wellbeing,”

M U F O U N D AT I O N

The unique training session encouraged the girls to be open about their feelings

says Matt Johnson, Girls Academy technical director.

“The informality of the balls, and introducing them while they’re playing – it allows the girls to think about their mental health.

“The ball is always visible and a prompt to get talking. Mental health is a cornerstone of football development. If the girls are in a good place, it really helps them.”

The Foundation introduced the ball in 2021, when 5,000 were delivered to help children in Greater Manchester. And the ball continues to have a key impact on youngsters accessing Foundation projects, such as this Girls Academy session.

One player, Carys, 11, said: “I like the phrase ‘speak out’ on the football, because if you bottle up your feelings and don’t tell anyone, things get harder. You should speak out.”

Izzy, 10, added: “The ball is very small – you have to try to take control of it better than the bigger ball. But it’s made me think about being kind, to treat everyone the same way, and to speak out when you need to.”

Manchester United Foundation manages the Girls Academy at Foundation Phase and Youth Development Phase age groups (9-14), providing a pathway to the Manchester United Women senior set-up.

12/10/2023 07:52

LEICESTER CITY

The Foxes’ winning start to 2023/24 suggests they can aim for far more than mere survival under Kirk this season

38

UNITED WOMEN

For many, Leicester were a pre-season pick to be the most improved team in the WSL, having been ambitious in the transfer window off the back of a second successive great escape from relegation in May. Already, things are very different from the last two seasons, when the Foxes lost their opening nine games each time.

By the end of the second round of fixtures a week ago, Leicester had climbed to the top of the WSL – one of only two teams with a 100 per cent record intact, alongside Liverpool, who the Foxes beat 2-1 in the Conti Cup on Wednesday night. And Willie Kirk’s team have shown they can win in different ways too, going away to Bristol City and creating plenty in a thrilling 4-2 win, before digging deep to grind out a 1-0 home victory over Everton.

Summer saw 16 players leave the club – including a trio of ex-Reds in Abbie McManus, Charlie Devlin and Jess Sigsworth. But nine came in to increase the quality and depth in the squad.

Goalkeeper Janina Leitzig, who made such a big

38-39_MUWFC_Oppo.CGIM.indd 38

impact on loan last season and brilliantly saved a penalty against Everton last weekend, made the permanent switch from Bayern Munich. Australia international Courtney Nevin did similar after an initial loan from Hammarby, but the rest of the summer arrivals are all fresh faces.

Ex-United midfielder Aimee Palmer came in from Bristol City, having helped them win promotion, and she made an instant impact by scoring the Foxes’ first goal of the season, before netting again in the cup this week. Meanwhile, Canada’s Deanne Rose, who scored a shock winner for Reading against Chelsea in 2021, is already proven in the WSL. The Foxes’ recruitment had an international flavour to it, with other arrivals joining from clubs in Germany, Sweden, France and Netherlands, while rising Finnish star Jutta Rantala (right) has added extra creativity in midfield.

12/10/2023 08:27

THE VISITORS

LAST WSL LINE-UP v EVERTON (HOME, WSL) 08.10.23

LEITZIG

CAYMAN

UWCL WINNER

JANICE CAYMAN Cayman, who turned 35 this week, joined Leicester in July after four seasons with Lyon, where she won two Champions League titles alongside numerous domestic honours.

Versatile enough to play all over the pitch, so far she’s been the Foxes’ starting right-back, where she’s impressed. Cayman is Belgium’s most capped player, with 139 appearances under her belt and nearly a half-century of goals.

GREEN

WHELAN

HOWARD

TIERNEY

NEVIN

RANTALA

GOODWIN

O’BRIEN PETERMANN SUBS USED: CAIN, ROSE, THIBAUD, BOTT

39

IN-FORM STRIKER

HEAD COACH

LENA PETERMANN

WILLIE KIRK

The Foxes scored the fewest goals of any WSL team last season (15) but have landed a new no.9 who has already found the net twice in two games.

The 29-year-old German has scored consistently for Freiburg, Turbine Potsdam and Montpellier over the past decade and has hit the ground running in the third different country of her career.

Casey Stoney’s original assistant at United initially joined Leicester as director of football last summer but took on managerial duties when Lydia Bedford departed in November. Results started to turn around within a few games and now the 45-year-old Scot has benefited from a pre-season to really cement his ideas.

2020/21 – their first year

given sole use of when the

and shoot-out win at LSV in

as a professional side.

men’s side moved in 2021.

the Conti Cup in 2021/22.

● Tierney, Howard, Cain and

● Leicester have their own

● United have won all four

● The King Power Stadium

O’Brien all remain from the

training ground – Belvoir

of our WSL meetings, but

is to remain their full-time

side that won promotion in

Drive – that they were

the Foxes did claim a draw

home again this season.

38-39_MUWFC_Oppo.CGIM.indd 39

UNITED WOMEN

THE KNOWLEDGE

12/10/2023 08:27

Sparking teamwork in your community Since 2022, Barclays has helped over 2,500 groups make football more accessible through the Barclays Community Football Fund.

Search Barclays Community Football Fund to find out more

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FAVO U R I T E C H A N T S

A NEW SERIES, IN WHICH WE FLICK THROUGH THE PAGES OF THE MUWSC SONGBOOK, BEGINS WITH THIS ZEL CL ASSIC – HERE BARMY ARTICLE FANZINE EDITOR ANDY SL ATER (LEFT) SHARES ALL...

W E ’ V E G OT Z E L E M , K AT I E ZE L E M , I J UST D O N’ T THINK YO U UN D E R STAND. .. W I TH L A SH E S AN D FA K E TA N, S H E ’ S B E T T E R T HAN Z I DA N E ; WE’ V E G OT K ATIE Z E L E M !

Patrice meets the Reds ahead of our WSL game with Arsenal in 2019

41_Sing songsheet.CGIM.indd 1

The night her chant was scribbled down was also Katie’s first home game as skipper

41 but if Evra said so, we were happy to sing it! You’d hear it a lot back then, but not quite as much now – that’s probably because the ‘Katie Zelem, she’s one of our own...’ is much shorter and easier to get started, plus it makes her ‘ours’ rather than singing about her fake lashes. It’s a good song though.

And you write a few chants yourself, yes...

I do, or someone will come up with a chant they can’t quite finish, and ask me to tweak it – to make sure it’s got the right number of syllables.

Are you brave enough to start chants?

I’m not shy of it, but I don’t think my voice carries as much as some other voices do. [Fellow Red] Natalie will always be heard, then there’s Marc, Shane and a few others who have a bit of a voice on them. The song needs to be properly heard if it’s to encourage others to join in.

Scan for the full songbook (and don’t be shy to buy a fanzine if you see Andy near Morrisons before the game!)

UNITED WOMEN

I n t e r v i e w :C h a r l ie G h a ga n

Ah, set to the tune of Achy Breaky Heart, right?

Yep, and did you know Patrice Evra wrote it?

What? No way!

Yeah, he was at LSV in our early days [September 2019]. Where we normally sat [in West Stand], right behind us were the VIP boxes with a few rows of seats, and Evra was in one of them. It was around the time when people were wondering if he was going to take a role at the club. Anyhow, someone got his attention and gave him a copy of the song book, then half-hour or so later it was passed back to us with this chant written on it.

Patrice has never been one to keep his words to himself, has he...

We’re not sure at the time whether we would have boldly sang about Zelem being ‘better than Zidane’

12/10/2023 07:52

WHERE

GREATNESS LIVES

WOMENSLEAGUES.THEFA.COM

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02/10/2023 22:52

Happy belated birthday Charley, and good luck with the trials for Wales’ Under-9s girls’ team. She is a big Ella Toone fan.

Hello to season ticket holder Courtney (right, with sister Summer).

Michaela and Teagan Gardner are season ticket holders. We are glad to have you both here!

43_MUWFC_Fan-Messages.CG (1).indd 1

Matthew wants to give a shout-out to wife Rebecca, who wanted only match tickets for her birthday!

Kerry, Lynn and Justine are big fans of Mary Earps and Ella Toone, and they love cheering the girls on.

Happy 13th birthday to Seon, Love Mum, Dad and Papa.

UNITED WOMEN

We were saddened to hear about the passing of United fan Keith Bungay in May, aged 70. Our thoughts are with his son Carl (pictured) and all who knew Keith.

43

01

Happy 14th birthday to Taylor Evans, who asked her mum for a Millie T cake!

FAN PHOTOS

FAN GALLERY

SEND YOUR PHOTOS AND MESSAGES TO MUWOMENFAMILY@MANUTD.CO.UK

12/10/2023 08:18

FACT S AND FUN NIES WIT H THE UNI TED MAS COT

GOALS, GOALS, GOALS! DID YOU KNOW, WE HAVE SCORED MORE TIMES AGAINST TODAY’S OPPONENTS LEICESTER THAN ANY OTHER SIDE?

44 2nd

1st

LEICESTER CITY GAMES: 9 GOALS: 41 TOP SCORER:

ASTON VILLA GAMES: 10 GOALS: 38 TOP SCORER:

ELLA TOONE 11

JESS SIGSWORTH 7

TOONEY HAS 11 GOALS IN NINE APPEARANCES v THE FOXES (ALTHOUGH 10 OF THEM CAME IN HER FIRST THREE GAMES!) 3rd

4th

UNITED WOMEN

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR GAMES: 10 GOALS: 29 TOP SCORER:

LEAH GALTON 4, LAUREN JAMES 4,

JESS SIGSWORTH 5

ELLA TOONE 4, KATIE ZELEM 4

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EVERTON GAMES: 13 GOALS: 29 TOP SCORERS:

12/10/2023 08:17

K I D S ' PAG E S

REDS CROSSWORD CAN YOU FILL IN ALL THE GAPS TO COMPLETE THE PUZZLE? 1 2 3 4 5

4 54

6

7

DOWN

4. Jayde Riviere’s home country (6 letters).

5. What number does our summer signing Gabby George wear? (5) 6. Which club were promoted from the Championship last season? (7, 4) 7. Gemma Evans’s national team (5)

1. Our home stadium is in _____ (5) 2. The colour of the visitors’ home shirt (4) 3. Leicester’s Aimee ______, who used to play for United (6) 5. The number of teams in this season’s Women’s Super League (6)

UNITED WOMEN

ACROSS

Answers – Across: 4. Canada; 5. Three; 6. Bristol City; 7. Wales; Down: 1. Leigh; 2. Blue 3. Palmer; 5. Twelve 44-45_MUWFC_Junior-Reds CGIM.indd 2

12/10/2023 08:17

Sparking teamwork in your community Since 2022, Barclays has helped over 2,500 groups make football more accessible through the Barclays Community Football Fund.

Search Barclays Community Football Fund to find out more

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 London E1422:51 5HP. AD TEMPLATE.indd 1 Register number: 759676). Registered in England. Registered no. 9740322. Registered office: 1 Churchill Place, 02/10/2023

(Does not include yesterday’s Chelsea v West Ham fixture)

● FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE TABLE Team

P

W

D

L

GD

Pts

1

Leicester City

2

2

0

0

3

6

2

Liverpool

2

2

0

0

3

6

3

Manchester City

2

1

1

0

2

4

4

UNITED

2

1

1

0

1

4

5

Chelsea

2

1

1

0

1

4

6

Tottenham

2

1

0

1

1

3

7

West Ham

2

1

0

1

0

3

8

Brighton

2

1

0

1

-1

3

9

Arsenal

2

0

1

1

-1

1

10 Everton

2

0

0

2

-2

0

11 Aston Villa

2

0

0

2

-3

0

12 Bristol City

2

0

0

2

-4

0

● UNITED APPEARANCES AND GOALS, 2023/24 PLAYER

WSL

FA CUP

UWCL

TOTAL

APP

GLS

APP

GLS

APP

GLS

APP

Hannah Blundell

2

0

0

0

1

0

3

GLS 0

Mary Earps

2

0

0

0

1

0

3

0

Leah Galton

2

1

0

0

1

0

3

1

Lucia Garcia

2

1

0

0

1

0

3

1

Gabby George

2

0

0

0

1

0

3

0

Geyse

2

0

0

0

0(1)

0

2(1)

0

Hayley Ladd

2

0

0

0

0

0

2

0

Maya Le Tissier

2

0

0

0

1

0

3

0

Melvine Malard

0(1)

1

0

0

0(1)

1

0(2)

2

Hinata Miyazawa

0(2)

0

0

0

0(1)

0

0(3)

0 0

Lisa Naalsund

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

Nikita Parris

0(1)

0

0

0

0

0

0(1)

0

Jayde Riviere

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

0

Ella Toone

2

0

0

0

1

0

3

0

Millie Turner

2

0

0

0

1

0

3

0

Rachel Williams

0(2)

1

0

0

0

0

0(2)

1

Katie Zelem

2

0

0

0

1

0

3

0

UNITED ALL-TIME APPS & GOALS

W S L & P L AY E R S TAT S

APPEARANCES, GOALS & ’23/24 WSL STATISTICS

47

Blundell is five games away from joining our top 10 list of all-time appearance makers Brighton’s Terland (above) is one of five players on two WSL goals heading into this weekend, while Charles (left) already has a pair of assists for Chelsea

● WSL TOP SCORERS, 2023/24 SEASON 2

Jutta Rantala (Leicester City)

2

Elisabeth Terland (Brighton & Hove Albion)

2

Amalie Thestrup (Bristol City)

2

Martha Thomas (Tottenham Hotspur)

2

● WSL TOP ASSISTS, 2023/24 SEASON Laia Aleixandri (Manchester City)

2

Niamh Charles (Chelsea)

2

47_MUWFC_App-Stats CG.indd 1

● ALL-TIME RECORDS: GOALS

Apps

GLS

Ella Toone

134

Ella Toone

44

Katie Zelem

132

Leah Galton

35

Millie Turner

116

Katie Zelem

30

Leah Galton

111

Lauren James

28

Mary Earps

99

Alessia Russo

26

Kirsty Hanson

90

Jessica Sigsworth

26

Hayley Ladd

89

Mollie Green

16

Ona Batlle

77

Kirsty Hanson

16

Amy Turner

67

Lizzie Arnot

9

Jessica Sigsworth

66

Lucia Garcia

9

Hannah Blundell

61

Hayley Ladd

9

Jackie Groenen

60

Nikita Parris

9

Alessia Russo

59

Vilde Boe Risa

8

Kirsty Smith

58

Martha Thomas

8

Lauren James

56

Jane Ross

7

Martha Thomas

53

Millie Turner

7

Martha Harris

49

Rachel Williams

7

Maria Thorisdottir

45

Charlie Devlin

6

Vilde Boe Risa

44

Alex Greenwood

5

Lucy Staniforth

41

Tobin Heath

4

UNITED WOMEN

Lena Petermann (Leicester City)

● ALL-TIME RECORDS: GAMES

12/10/2023 08:44

2023/24 SEASON SCHEDULE

FIXTURES & RESULTS COMP

DATE

OPPOSITION

SCORE ATT

LINE-UP

AUGUST O CTO BER WSL

Sun 1

Aston Villa (A) 12.30pm

2-1

12,533

Earps

Blundell

Le Tissier

Turner

George

Ladd

Zelem

WSL

Fri 6

Arsenal (H) 7.30pm

2-2

8,312

Earps

Blundell

Le Tissier

Turner

George

Ladd

Zelem

UWCL

Tue 10

PSG (H) 8pm

1-1

4,827

Earps

Blundell

Le Tissier

Turner

George

Riviere

Naalsund

WSL

Sun 15

Leicester City (H) 12pm

UWCL

Wed 18

PSG (A) 7pm

WSL

Sun 22

Everton (A) 1pm

NOV EM BER WSL

Sun 5

Brighton (A) 6.45pm

WSL

Sun 12

West Ham (H) 12pm

UWCL

14/15

Group stage MD1

WSL

Sun 19

Manchester City (H) 4.30pm

UWCL

22/23

Group stage MD2

WSL

Sun 26

Bristol City (A) 2pm

DECEM BER WSL

Sun 10

Tottenham (A) 2pm

UWCL

13/14

Group stage MD3

WSL

Sun 17

Liverpool (H) 12pm

UWCL

20/21

Group stage MD4

JA NUA RY

48

FA

Sun 14

Fourth round

WSL

Sun 21

Chelsea (A) 12.30pm

UWCL

24/25

Group stage MD5

WSL

Sun 28

Aston Villa (H) 12pm

UWCL

30/31

Group stage MD6

F EBRUA RY WSL

Sun 4

Brighton (H) 12pm

CC

7/8

Quarter-finals

FA

Sun 11

Fifth round

WSL

Sat 17

Arsenal (A) 2pm

M A RCH WSL

Sun 3

West Ham (A) 3pm

CC

6/7

Semi-finals

FA

Sun 10

Quarter-finals

WSL

Sun 17

Bristol City (H) 12pm

UWCL

19/20

Quarter-finals, 1st leg

WSL

Sun 24

Manchester City (A) 1pm

UWCL

27/28

Quarter-finals, 2nd leg

CC

Sat 30

Final

WSL

Sun 31

Everton (H) 12pm

FA

Sun 14

Semi-finals

UWCL

Sat 20

Semi-finals, 1st leg

WSL

Sun 21

Tottenham (H), 12pm

UWCL

Sat 27

Semi-finals, 2nd leg

WSL

Sun 28

Leicester (A) 3pm

WSL

Sun 5

Liverpool (A) 2pm

FA

11/12

Final

WSL

Sat 18

Chelsea (H) TBC

UWCL

24-26

Final

A PR IL

UNITED WOMEN

MAY

(United score listed first. All fixtures subject to change – TV picks confirmed until 19 November. Visit ManUtd.com/fixtures for latest fixtures information)

48-49_MUWFC_Fixtures.CGIM.indd 1

12/10/2023 08:17

Facebook: manutdwomen

X/Twitter: @manutdwomen

YouTube: /ManUtd

Instagram: @manutdwomen

Match programme contact: MUWomenfamily@manutd.co.uk For ticket information visit: ManUtd.com/Tickets SUBS USED

m

Garcia 1

Toone

Galton

Geyse

Williams 1

Parris

Miyazawa

–

–

m

Garcia

Toone

Galton 1

Geyse

Williams

Malard 1

Miyazawa

–

–

und

Zelem

Toone

Galton

Garcia

Geyse

Malard 1

Miyazawa

–

–

49

UNITED WOMEN

n)

2023/24 SEASON SCHEDULE

FOLLOW THE REDS:

KEY: WSL – Women’s Super League UWCL – Women's Champions League CC – Continental League Cup + own goal • Penalty ↑/↓ won/lost on penalties Yellow/red card Substitutes used: 1st 2nd

48-49_MUWFC_Fixtures.CGIM.indd 2

FA – Women’s FA Cup Scorers Bold 3rd 4th 5th ~ concussion sub

12/10/2023 08:17

QUESTION TIME

ADDED-TIME

QUIZ SCORER SEARCH

PROVE YOUR UNITED WOMEN KNOWLEDGE BY TAKING UP OUR CHALLENGE! Who got United’s winning goal in each of these games last season?

1. LEICESTER 0-1 UNITED, 23 OCT 2022 → 2. READING 0-1 UNITED, 22 JAN 2023 3. UNITED 2-1 MAN CITY, 21 MAY 2023 50

Can you name the current Red based on the crest of the only other senior club they’ve lined up for?

FORMER CLUBS

4

5

6

7

What can you remember from the Reds’ past meetings with the Foxes?

P R E V I O U S L Y…

→

UNITED WOMEN

8

In which year did we first play Leicester in a competitive fixture?

9

Casey Stoney’s final game as United manager was against Leicester, but in which competition?

10

Who came on as a substitute away to Leicester in September 2021 before scoring what turned out to be her only Reds goal?

ANSWERS 1.Nikita Parris; 2. Rachel Williams; 3. Lucia Garcia; 4. Hannah Blundell; 5. Maya Le Tissier; 6. Gabby George; 7. Evie Rabjohn; 8. 2019; 9. FA Cup; 10. Maria Thorisdottir 50_MUWFC_Quiz.CGIM.indd 1

12/10/2023 08:27

Manchester United Home 23/24

© 2023 adidas AG

H23834_MUFC_FW23_AWAY_WOMENS_KV_A5.indd 1 AD TEMPLATE.indd 1

28/09/2023 16:50 02/10/2023 22:47

MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN Head coach: Marc Skinner

LEICESTER CITY WOMEN Head coach: Willie Kirk

Gabby George

3

1

Janina Leitzig (GK)

Maya Le Tissier

4

2

Courtney Nevin

Aoife Mannion

5

3

Sam Tierney

Hannah Blundell

6

4

CJ Bott

Ella Toone

7

5

Sophie Howard

Irene Guerrero

8

6

Aimee Palmer

Melvine Malard

9

7

Deanne Rose

Katie Zelem

10

8

Jutta Rantala

Leah Galton

11

9

Lena Petermann

Hayley Ladd

12

10 Aileen Whelan

Jayde Riviere

14

11 Janice Cayman

Gemma Evans

15

13 Monique Robinson

Lisa Naalsund

16

14 Josie Green

Lucia Garcia

17

17 Julie Thibaud

Hinata Miyazawa

20

19 Remy Siemsen

Millie Turner

21

20 Missy Goodwin

Nikita Parris

22

21 Hannah Cain

Geyse

23

23 Lize Kop (GK)

Evie Rabjohn

25

27 Shannon O’Brien

Mary Earps (GK)

27

32 Ava Baker

Rachel Williams

28

38 Holly Mears

Emma Watson

34

41 Jess Reavill

Safia Middleton-Patel (GK)

39

47 Simone Sherwood

Phallon Tullis-Joyce (GK)

91

49 Denny Draper

M ATC H

O F F IC I A LS

Referee Adewunmi Soneye • Assistants David Middleton, Callum Parke Fourth official Elizabeth Simms

52_MUWFC_Leicester back cover (officials added).CGIM.indd 1

12/10/2023 08:36