Manchester United Women v Newcastle United Women match programme, Women's FA Cup, 14.01.24

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

2023/24 SEASON • VOLUME 06 ISSUE 09

MANCHESTER

UNITED WOMEN V

NEWCASTLE UNITED WOMEN

adobe women’s fa cup fourth round SUNDAY 14 JANUARY 2024 ● 12PM

#allredallequal

£2 £2 01_MUW_COVER trophy CGIM.indd 1

09/01/2024 12:32

WIN. RINSE. REPEAT.

Let our design experts help you score a dream look for your space at the KOHLER Experience Centre London.

44-48 Clerkenwell Rd, London EC1M 5PS

AD TEMPLATE.indd 1

Follow @KohlerUnited on

or visit KohlerUnited.com

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 IN MALTA 09 COUNTDOWN TO KICK-OFF 13

REDS REPORT

17

KATIE ZELEM COLUMN

19

MY... FIRST HEROES

21

FAN PHOTOS

22

SIGNED PLAYER POSTER

24

FOURTH-ROUND PREVIOUS

30 THE OPPOSITION 35

MU FOUNDATION

36 JUNIOR REDS 39 STATS SECTION

24

04 03

40 FIXTURES & RESULTS 42

ADDED-TIME QUIZ

30

MATCH PROGRAMME TEAM Editor Charlie Ghagan Editor-in-chief Ian McLeish Contributors Helen Rowe-Willcocks, Courtney Hill, Joe Nelson, Jamie Spencer, Sean Mullan, Matthew Brown Photography Charlotte Tattersall, Ash Donelon, Naomi Johnson, Colin Lock, John Peters, Matt Peters, Getty, Alamy Design Tom Chase, Kulsum Karolia Thanks to Ellie Decrop, Steve Bennett, Benjamin Williams Printed by MuPrint.com © Manchester United 2024

03_MUWFC_CONTENTS (see note).CGIM.indd 1

UNITED WOMEN

MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB Co-chairmen Joel Glazer, Avram Glazer Directors Bryan Glazer, Kevin Glazer, Edward Glazer, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, Michael Edelson, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill CBE Secretary Rebecca Britain Honorary president Martin Edwards

09/01/2024 22:03

THE BOSS EXPECTS A COMMITTED DISPL AY TO START 2024, AS OUR L ATEST FA CUP CAMPAIGN BEGINS..

MARC SKINNER W

04

UNITED WOMEN

elcome back to Leigh Sports Village. I hope you all had a good break. It’s been a month since we’ve been here and we are all excited to be playing in front of you fans again. We have a lot to play for in the second half of the season, with two cup competitions alongside the WSL, and it’s fantastic to be back.

The players and all the staff are refreshed and re-energised after the break. We enjoyed a good camp in Malta where everyone got minutes under their belt in the friendly against PSV, as well as training in lots of different conditions! It was also important we had a chance to bond together as a squad – something we didn’t get to do over the summer because of the World Cup. I’d like to take the time to praise Newcastle United and how they are performing so far this season, not just in the Women’s FA Cup but also in the National League. We know they are going to come out and show their quality this afternoon.

They have made it clear they want to give us a challenge and we need to, and will be, ready for that.

Regardless of the league Newcastle are in, we know we’ll have to

04-05_MUWFC_SKINNER-COLUMN (not approved).CGIM.indd 1

be at our best. We are going to approach it with all the energy and commitment we have, and that is something I want to see for the rest of the season, no matter who our opponents are. We want to put in a strong performance today and be confident in our abilities, but not complacent about the excellent team we’re up against. My team selection will respect the opponent and I know every player will be ready to go out and give it their all on the pitch when called upon.

After getting to the FA Cup final last year, we are hungry for more in this competition and Newcastle are the first hurdle we need to overcome. If we are to get back to Wembley, we’ll need to use all our experience and maturity in this competition, while showing that desire to win.

We know that Newcastle are bringing a lot of fans down to Leigh from the North East today – something which is so great to see for the women’s game. We want to hear your voices loud and proud supporting the Reds, like we always do here. I hope you enjoy the game – let’s make it another fantastic cup occasion here at LSV.

09/01/2024 22:04

HEAD COACH 05

UNITED WOMEN

04-05_MUWFC_SKINNER-COLUMN (not approved).CGIM.indd 2

09/01/2024 22:04

BIG PICTURE

MORE MALTESE MEMORIES...

Hayley Ladd leads the United players out at Tony Bezzina Stadium in Paola, Malta ahead of our most recent fixture, against Eredivisie Vrouwen side PSV. The friendly encounter made up part of the Reds’ winter training camp, with fitness and recuperation the priorities for the squad in preparation for the second half of the season, helped by the longer daylight hours... even if the weather felt more like Manchester than Malta at times! The Maltese club that currently calls the stadium home is Hibernians – a side with a strong link to United’s past: Hibernians were the first opponents as our men’s team set upon their glorious European Cup-winning run of 1967/68. That game 57 years ago finished 0-0, and while the stakes weren’t nearly as high for United Women’s meeting with PSV, Ladd and co enjoyed a good run-out against their Dutch opponents, winning 2-1. United’s historic connection with Malta has ensured we have a large following there, with it being home to one of our largest supporters’ clubs, many of whom were there alongside our loyal travelling fans to cheer the team on.

06

UNITED WOMEN 06-07_MUWFC_BIG-PIC.CGIM.indd 1

09/01/2024 12:30

BIG PICTURE 07

UNITED WOMEN

06-07_MUWFC_BIG-PIC.CGIM.indd 2

09/01/2024 12:30

THIS IS ME www.remington.co.uk/manutd

AD template.indd 1 AD TEMPLATE.indd 1

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

We have unfamiliar opponents to kick off 2024, with Newcastle in town as the Reds kick off our FA Cup campaign on home soil...

09-11_MUWFC_COUNTDOWN.CGIM.indd 1

UNITED WOMEN

After exactly four weeks without a competitive fixture, Marc Skinner and his United squad are eager to commence the new year schedule this afternoon, and we do so against a side we’ve never faced before in Newcastle United.

Well, when we say ‘never faced’, the Uniteds of Manchester and Newcastle do have previous in the women’s game, in the amateur days of lopsided touchlines, magic sponges and penalty spots like potholes. Much has changed since then, with 2018 seeing the introduction of a professional league in England, and that full-time status has since trickled down to many more teams below the WSL, with today’s opponents

breaking new ground last summer by turning professional upon their promotion to the third tier.

Such has been the Magpies’ growth, it’s likely that we won’t have to wait too long for our next head-to-head, but today’s maiden meeting as professional teams will forever hold significance, and Skinner’s Reds arrive at Leigh ready to face Becky Langley’s Magpies following a winter training camp in Malta (pictured above).

A year ago, the Reds returned from the same destination invigorated, smashing our way through January by winning three from three, scoring nine and conceding just once, and how we’d all love a similar start to the year this time around – especially with away trips to Chelsea (WSL) and Manchester City (Conti Cup) next up.

Our form was inconsistent throughout the first half of 2023/24, and improvement is needed if we are to achieve our aims. The WSL games against Arsenal (away), Manchester City (away) and

01

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

09

09/01/2024 12:38

M AT C H P R E V I E W 10

Chelsea (home and away) in the coming weeks and months could prove decisive if we are to catch them, or at least finish in the top three to secure European football once again.

As it stands we are four points behind second place in the table, while there’s no question that both cup competitions will be taken very seriously, as the Reds seek a first major trophy. We’re going great guns in the Conti Cup, and last season’s FA Cup march to Wembley has only increased the appetite to go one step further by lifting the iconic trophy pictured on the cover of today’s programme.

In terms of team news, Hinata Miyazawa’s ankle surgery kept her out of action in Malta, although fellow midfielder Irene Guerrero did return to the team, and the World Cup-winning Spaniard will be hoping for more luck with injuries in the months ahead.

Up front, our top 2023/24 goalscorer Nikita Parris recovered from illness to belatedly join the group in Malta, where she showed her eye for goal once more in the win against PSV. That friendly also saw a few Academy talents get their chance to impress, and while Skinner could be tempted to hand a competitive debut to a few teenagers today, he’ll be conscious of paying Newcastle the respect they deserve, with their long unbeaten run including thumping FA Cup wins against Mancunian Unity (9-2, R1), Chorley (5-0, R2) and Stoke City (5-0, R3), while our visitors are set to have over a thousand fans cheering them on at LSV. A fascinating 90 minutes awaits – and maybe more if it finishes level, with extra-time and penalties to follow if required. Game on!

UNITED WOMEN

It was great to see Irene back in action last week

09-11_MUWFC_COUNTDOWN.CGIM.indd 2

FA CUP F It’s a busy day in the Cup, with some fascinating match-ups taking place...

With the dozen WSL clubs joining the Adobe Women’s FA Cup party this weekend, it swells the total number of teams left in the competition to 32, alongside the 20 sides from the second to fifth tiers that won in the third round last month.

Kicking things off, Aston Villa took on Everton in yesterday’s only game, one of just three all-WSL ties that came out of the hat. Also among the top-flight games, Chelsea – dealt a cruel blow last weekend when Sam Kerr became the latest WSL star struck down by an ACL injury – host West Ham at 1pm today in a London derby at Kingsmeadow.

Liverpool head to Bristol City at the same time.

Plenty of attention this afternoon will be on Luton, the lowest ranked side left in the Cup, as they take on top-flight Brighton. The Hatters play in the fifth tier Eastern Region Women’s Football League and are more used to taking on teams such as Needham Market, King’s Lynn Town and Wroxham. They pulled off a shock against fourth tier Keynsham Town in the last round but now face an altogether different challenge against a WSL squad packed with internationals, and ex-Reds Maria Thorisdottir and Sophie Baggaley in contention to play. Another mismatch of the

Holders Chelsea will need to defend the trophy without star forward Kerr

09/01/2024 12:38

round sees Moneyfields, the only remaining fourth-tier club, travel to London City Lionesses of the Championship. Portsmouth-based Moneyfields have already knocked out one set of Lionesses, emerging victorious over Millwall Lionesses in round three. There are also two leagues between Derby and Leicester in an East Midlands clash, with the Foxes keen to avoid an upset at the hands of the Ewes.

For the second year in a row, Durham are up against a Manchester club in the FA Cup. Having lost out to United in round five last February, the Wildcats host Manchester City today, kicking off half an hour later than us at Leigh. At 1pm there is a local clash when Arsenal welcome Watford, who are enduring a tough season fighting at the bottom of the Championship, to Borehamwood.

In addition to geographical proximity, close ties exist between the clubs as three promising Gunners teenagers are playing at Watford on dual registration terms this season. As for Arsenal’s

TE AMS WH O W I N I N T H E F OURTH ROUN D P O C KE T £ 54,000 – O N LY T WO YE ARS AG O, T H AT R E WA R D WA S AS LI T TL E AS £ 2 , 0 0 0

09-11_MUWFC_COUNTDOWN.CGIM.indd 3

Having eliminated local rivals Portsmouth, Southampton now face a long journey to Sunderland

big rivals Tottenham, they are also at home to Championship opposition, in Sheffield United.

In-form Nottingham Forest will view today as a good opportunity against fellow third-tier opponents Plymouth to progress and bank more money for this season’s Cup run. Similar is true of Sunderland and Southampton, meeting each other in the North East as they put their respective promotion challenges in the Championship on hold. Crystal Palace against Blackburn is another tie between two Championship teams.

Birmingham – where ex-Reds Martha Harris, Ivana Ferreira Fuso and Charlie Devlin have helped the Blues to the top of the Championship – will want to translate their league form to the FA Cup for a potentially tricky away tie at Burnley, currently doing well in the third tier.

Charlton are second in the Championship on goal difference and face a similar away tie against third-tier opposition when they travel to Suffolk to face Ipswich. There could be chance of an upset when Wolves, fourth in the third tier Northern Premier Division, travel south to face Reading, who have found it tough since WSL relegation and haven’t won a league game in over three months.

Although still significantly less than the men’s equivalent, the Women’s FA Cup prize fund has grown massively over the past couple of years. The total pot for this season is just shy of £6m, double that of last year, and teams who win in the fourth round will pocket £54,000 – even those that go out will be paid £13,000. Such money is vital for clubs, particularly those from the lower levels. Only two years ago, the reward for winning a fourth-round tie was as little as £2,000, showing just how rapidly the women’s domestic game is continuing to grow.

11

UNITED WOMEN

Can Luton spring a huge shock against WSL opponents this afternoon?

WOMEN’ S FA CUP PRE VIE W

P FOCUS

09/01/2024 12:38

SECURE EASY EFFICIENT

The world’s most trusted remote software

Connect, control and support devices from any location, at any time.

Scan to discover.

AD TEMPLATE.indd 1

02/10/2023 22:35

NINE DAYS AGO

1 PSV 2 UNITED

Friendly, Tony Bezzina Stadium (Malta), Fri 5 Jan ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY: Mid-season Malta match won by late Parris header.

RED ARMY ON TOUR: It was great to see so many dedicated Reds make the trip (you can see the appeal in January!) with our supporters’ club meeting up with United’s Malta supporters’ club – which celebrates its 65th anniversary this year – ahead of the friendly fixture.

REMEMBER THE NAMES! A total of 23 players were used, including Deering, Davies, Francis, Chadwick and Newell, who all stepped up from our U21s.

FIRST-HALF GOALS: Joelle Smits fired PSV ahead on 23 minutes, before Jayde Riviere brought us level 10 minutes later, tucking home the rebound following Leah Galton’s initial effort.

KEETS HEADS HOME: The Reds bossed the second half, and a flurry of opportunities finally paid off in injury-time, when Parris headed home Hannah Blundell’s pinpoint cross.

ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY: United lose ground at top of WSL, as Liverpool fight back at LSV to claim first league win (and goals) against us.

STRONG START PAYS OFF: With just three minutes gone, Ella Toone was in the right place to fire home after Leah Galton’s shot hit the woodwork. And Melvine Malard so nearly made it 2-0, only to find the side-netting.

OWN GOAL LEVELS IT: As Liverpool increasingly found space down the wings, Mel Lawley’s cross on 32 minutes was inadvertently flicked in by Millie Turner as she tried to clear: 1-1.

SET-PIECES PROVE COSTLY: The goal gave Matt Beard’s side a real lift, with Mary Earps superbly denying Missy Bo Kearns, but increasing pressure from the Merseysiders after the break – especially from set pieces – paid off when captain Taylor Hinds slotted home their second from Kearns’ corner.

BONNER’S BLOODY BLOW: There was concern as Liverpool’s Gemma Bonner clashed heads with Rachel Williams in the closing stages, with Bonner briefly losing consciousness before walking off with a split lip. It would lead to 13 minutes of injury-time as United fought hard for a leveller, but to no avail.

13

Toone strikes early, but that would be as good as it got against Liverpool...

UNITED WOMEN

13-14 REDS REPORT.CGIM.indd 1

Women’s Super League Leigh Sports Village, Sun 17 Dec

Im a g e : N a om i J o h n s o n

TIMELINE OF ALL UNITED’S RECENT MATCHES

1 UNITED 2 LIVERPOOL

01

REDS REPORT

Evans salutes scorer Riviere

M AT C H A C T I O N

28 DAYS AGO

09/01/2024 12:26

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

31 DAYS AGO

3 UNITED 1 LEICESTER CITY

TOONE TAKES POTM PRIZE

Continental Tyres League Cup Group B Leigh Sports Village, Thu 14 Dec

Our final Player of the Month award for 2023

ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY: Perfect Conti Cup group campaign continues with home win against Foxes under the LSV floodlights, to see us overtake Manchester City in top spot.

GARCIA SETS THE TONE: The Reds got off to a flying start, with our first advance ending with Lucia Garcia looping the ball over the head of Foxes keeper Janina Leitzig in the second minute.

TWO-NAAL TO THE REDS: With 20 minutes on the clock, a close-range finish from Lisa Naalsund – following a fine pass from Rachel Williams – put Marc Skinner’s side in control.

WHELAN REACTS TO PULL ONE BACK: Five minutes later, a mix-up at the back between Phallon Tullis-Joyce and Katie Zelem allowed Aileen Whelan to jump in and chip the ball into a vacated net. It was Tullis-Joyce’s first concession in a United shirt, in her third appearance.

COMFORTABLE AFTER THE BREAK: The second half adopted a much calmer rhythm, interrupted only through Geyse winning a penalty and Zelem duly stepping up to convert to restore our two-goal cushion in front of 2,068 fans – our biggest Conti Cup crowd so far this season.

WHAT DOES THIS WIN MEAN? The Reds will advance to the knockout stage in top spot if we avoid defeat at Manchester City on 24 January.

Defeat will leave us hoping to secure one of the two best-placed runner-up spots in the quarters.

winner on the three-player shortlist chosen by

Zelem makes it three – her 16th converted penalty for the Reds

saw Ella Toone take the prize, ahead of Melvine Malard and Hayley Ladd, with fans voting for the club journalists. Fresh from netting a Wembley winner for England against the Netherlands during the international break, Toone returned to her club in fine form. The attacking midfielder was one of five Reds to start all three of our December fixtures, in which she was twice on the scoresheet, including a brilliant lobbed finish away to Tottenham. Congratulations, Ella.

OLD TRAFFORD WSL FINALE In case you missed the announcement in the days before Christmas, our final WSL game of the season, against Chelsea, will now be played at Old Trafford on Saturday 18 May (k/o TBC). Scan the code for tickets. Our WSL home match against Everton, provisionally agreed to be played at Old Trafford on 31 March, will now return to LSV. With the Continental League Cup final confirmed for the same date (at Molineux, 3pm), this Everton fixture is subject to change.

LONDON AWAY DAYS

At the time of writing, tickets are still available for next Sunday’s big WSL trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea (12.30pm). We have an allocation of 3,065, in a safe-standing area. This includes 15

UNITED WOMEN 13-14 REDS REPORT.CGIM.indd 2

wheelchair spaces. Tickets are £15/£7.50. As for Arsenal away at the Emirates next month, we have 3,003 seats, including 25 wheelchair spaces.

Tickets are now on sale (£15/£11.25/£7.50), but please bear in mind that the fixture is still subject to change until the TV picks are confirmed. Scan the code above to buy tickets for both games.

09/01/2024 12:26

AD TEMPLATE.indd 1

02/10/2023 22:46

AD TEMPLATE.indd 1

02/10/2023 22:46

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

ZEL’S NOTES

THE SKIPPER IS EXCITED TO FACE THE MAGPIES, AND SHE HOPES A VICTORY SETS US UP FOR A POSITIVE FEW MONTHS AHEAD

H

17_MUWFC_ZEL-COLUMN (not approved).CGIM.indd 1

17 It wasn’t all sunshine in Malta, but it was a really worthwhile trip – and we loved meeting you fans out there

behind it in terms of the two clubs. For us we want to perform at our best, get the win and go as far as possible in the competition.

It’s great to see teams like Newcastle in women’s football who have been backed.

They want to get up there and challenge with the best. I am dead excited to play against them. It’s a privilege to play against teams like this who want to follow in the footsteps of big teams and keep pushing women’s football forwards.

I hear that Newcastle have brought a lot of fans and I know we always do so I expect Leigh will be rocking! Enjoy the game.

UNITED WOMEN

appy new year to you all. It’s good to be back at LSV after the winter break, and it was nice to be away in Malta and get a refresh before the second half of the season. Not all the results went our way in the first half of the campaign, especially the Liverpool game just before Christmas. So for us, it was beneficial to get away and refresh the mind – especially the players who went to the World Cup last summer. We’ve come back feeling recharged ahead of the next part of the season.

In Malta, we were able to do some team bonding in an amazing place. It was not-so-warm weather training though! We had torrential rain and storms so that didn’t quite go to plan but it’s been nice to spend time together doing different things, and everyone getting minutes against PSV. Today we return to the FA Cup. The run to the final last season was a dream. I’ve always wanted to play in an FA Cup final, and to do it with Manchester United at Wembley was a dream come true, and something we all want to do again.

For us the Cup is a real focus, just like it was last year. Playing at Wembley was an unbelievable experience. Newcastle will be a tough test. They’ve had a lot of investment, and it’s a huge draw with a lot of history

09/01/2024 12:26

Sparking teamwork in your community

Sp in y

Search Barclays Community Football Fund to find out more

Search B

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

AD TEMPLATE copy.indd 1

Since 20 more ac

12/12/2023 09:21

I like to joke she’s my ‘football mum’!

IRENE GUERRERO

MY… FIRST HEROES

AHEAD OF HER 18 TH BIRTHDAY THIS MONTH, EMMA WATSON NAMES THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN HER THE DRIVE TO SUCCEED...

Like a lot of girls, my introduction to watching football came through the men’s game – I grew up in Edinburgh, but the team I watched wasn’t Hearts or Hibernian, but Celtic, as my grandad’s a big fan... although I’d soon become a Rangers fan! Sometimes I’d get the chance to watch Scotland’s women’s team though, and Kim Little and Caroline Weir were the two I looked up to the most. I had to get used to being around these players with the Scotland squad that a few years ago I was buzzing to get an autograph from!

They both moved down to the WSL when they were young and I was keen to do the same.

31 9

I can’t forget my coaches at Rangers also, Ross [Stormonth] and Malky [Thomson, women’s team manager, 2020-23]. Malky gave me so many opportunities – I played 52 first-team games last season, including pre-season, so if it wasn’t for him giving me that chance I wouldn’t be at United now.

19_MUWFC_My-first heroes Emma Watson (approved).CGIM.indd 1

MacDonald is a coach the teenager still speaks to for advice

Thomson placed much trust in Emma while at Rangers

UNITED WOMEN

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

As for the coaches who I most look up to, Jimmy Urquhart was the coach who got me in at my youth side Lochend, and every summer I still see him in Edinburgh. Pauline MacDonald [ex-Arsenal and Scotland player] was my Scotland U17 manager, and someone I still lean on for advice – I like to joke that she’s my ‘football mum’!

09/01/2024 12:25

Manchester United Home 23/24

© 2023 adidas AG

H23834_MUFC_FW23_HOME_WOMENS_KV_A5.indd 1 AD TEMPLATE.indd 1

28/09/2023 16:23 02/10/2023 22:47

Hello to Niamh, a season ticket holder who goes to many away games too. Those chips look good!

FAN PHOTOS

FAN GALLERY

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

Welcome to Georgia Carroll, who is usually in the standing section. We hope you had a nice ninth birthday!

01

21

Frank can’t wait to cheer Ella and the Reds on once again today.

Ten-year-old Owen from Stockport thinks Lisa is great (so do we).

Renzo is turning five on 21 January, and he’ll be here cheering on his favourite team.

Ava-Rose is a massive Rachel Williams fan, and even gave her this brilliant framed drawing!

21_MUWFC_Fan-Messages.CGIM.indd 1

UNITED WOMEN

Rebecca (middle), with Teagan, Michaela, Natasha and Alex – who she all enjoyed being with in Paris in October, despite the result!

Happy 10th birthday Emily, who is here with her friends from Davenham Juniors FC – Grace, Penny, Darcy, Poppy, Freya and (another!) Grace, plus her brother Benjamin.

09/01/2024 12:24

RACHEL WILLIAMS 22-23 poster Williams.CGIM.indd 1

09/01/2024 12:23

2023/24 POSTER 22-23 poster Williams.CGIM.indd 2

09/01/2024 12:23

VENTURE

FOURTH THE REDS HAVE A SOLID RECORD AT THIS STAGE OF THE WOMEN’S FA CUP, WHICH HAS ALWAYS BEEN OUR STARTING POINT IN THE COMPETITION – ALTHOUGH CURIOUSLY EVERY ONE OF OUR WINS IN THE FOURTH ROUND TO DATE, FROM BRIGHTON TO SUNDERLAND, HAS COME AWAY FROM HOME...

WORDS: JAMIE SPENCER

UNITED WOMEN 24_28__4th_round_feature CGIM.indd 18

10/01/2024 09:29

2018/19 SEASON: BRIGHTON 0 UNITED 2

H

James 51, 90+2. Att: 764

United’s first Women’s FA Cup tie after reforming in the summer of 2018 was, in essence, what the competition is all about: a giantkilling of sorts... well, at least on paper. Brighton were the WSL side and the Reds, despite hurtling towards the top flight after a near-perfect start in the Championship by the time this match was played on 3 February 2019, were the lower-league visitors to Broadfield Stadium in Crawley. In front of a crowd of just 764 (with plenty of Reds making up that number) the half-time break arrived following just one shot on target from Casey Stoney’s side, at which point the United boss turned to Lauren James from the bench. It proved a matchwinning decision. The teenage tyro, who with eight goals already to her name that term had only Mollie Green and Jess Sigsworth ahead of her in the team’s scoring charts, fired United into the lead within six minutes of the restart, sweeping in a first-time shot. Lauren finished the tie with two goals, using her strength in injury-time to hold off the Brighton defence before unleashing a low shot into the far corner, but huge credit for the landmark victory also lay at the feet – or hands – of United keeper Siobhan Chamberlain. Shiv’s 78th-minute penalty save, after Amy Turner brought down Kayleigh Green, denied Hope Powell’s Brighton an equaliser that so could easily have shifted the momentum in favour of the more experienced WSL side. ‘LJ scored two great goals, but for me Shiv’s penalty was the game-changer’, recalled captain Alex Greenwood in her next programme column. ‘If that goes in, it’s a different game.’

PREVIOUS FOURTH-ROUND TIES

‘GIANTKILLING’ THE SEAGULLS

25

Left: United’s most recent fourth-round tie took place in Sunderland 12 months ago Top: celebration time in early 2019 as James makes it 2-0 against Brighton

24_28__4th_round_feature CGIM.indd 19

10/01/2024 09:29

PREVIOUS FOURTH-ROUND TIES 26

HALF-DOZEN GOALS, ZERO FANS

2020/21 SEASON: BURNLEY 0 UNITED 6

M Turner 11, Toone 16, Staniforth 29, A Turner 44, Hanson 47, 58. Att: 0

Five different goalscorers contributed six goals as the Reds, wearing that season’s eye-catching black-and-white third kit, completely dazzled Burnley in what remains our biggest FA Cup win to date. It was a much balmier April afternoon than typical January or February fourth-round matches – the knock-on effect of Covid-19-related pauses and delays in the women’s football calendar. Two divisions separated the teams but any hope that Burnley might have had of causing an upset at their County Ground home in Leyland was extinguished early on when Millie Turner rose highest in the six-yard box following an 11th-minute corner. Ella Toone, Lucy Staniforth (right) and Amy Turner helped United run up the score by half-time, with Kirsty Hanson going on to get a fifth and sixth early into the second half. Toone’s strike was the pick of the bunch, an instinctive dipping shot from the

BRIDGING THE GAP INTO LAST 16

2021/22 SEASON: BRIDGWATER 0 UNITED 2 Buxton 17 og, Toone 81. Att: 2,500

UNITED WOMEN

With the football calendar back on track in 2021/22, it was January 2022 when 2,500 fans pressed against the sides of the pitch inside the hosts’ tight Fairfax Park home. In what was Marc Skinner’s first FA Cup tie as United boss, he showed respect to our third-tier opponents from Somerset by naming a strong starting XI, and Skinner was left pleased at a professional performance. An own goal by Charlotte Buxton,

24_28__4th_round_feature CGIM.indd 20

edge of the box that came after a sharp passing move involving Katie Zelem and Ona Batlle.

“We moved the ball really well and I think on a better pitch, it would have been more,” was manager Casey Stoney’s assessment. “The only frustrating thing was that it could’ve been double figures.” But there was one other frustrating thing, of course: there were no fans there to see it, the rout being one of two behind-closed-doors FA Cup ties the Reds played in that weirdest of campaigns. following Hayley Ladd’s shot, put us ahead on 17 minutes, but Bridgwater refused to back down and it wasn’t until tired legs started to give out towards the end that Ella Toone could make sure of victory with our second (right).

“I was surprised with how tactically in-tune they [Bridgwater] were,” admitted Skinner post match.

“They made sure to not make it easy for us.” It was also a day for some club history as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer watched from the stands as his daughter Karna made her debut from the bench, meaning the pair became the first father and daughter pair to play for the Reds.

10/01/2024 09:29

WHERE

GREATNESS LIVES

WOMENSLEAGUES.THEFA.COM

AD TEMPLATE.indd 1

02/10/2023 22:52

PREVIOUS FOURTH-ROUND TIES

It was top of the WSL meets eighth in the Championship when we faced the Black Cats, and Parris was in sharp form

KEETS TAMES BLACK CATS

2022/23 SEASON: SUNDERLAND 1 UNITED 2 28

Holmes 67; Parris 39, 69. Att: 1,810

Last season’s long journey to the carpet-like turf of Wembley started on a rather more challenging pitch at Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground, where Nikita Parris emerged as our hero against a resilient Sunderland. “We can measure the different bobbles on the pitch as we’ve hit them,” smiled Marc Skinner after a tricky 2-1 win, while acknowledging his side needed to be calmer and more clinical, considering the vast

amount of chances created. A few opportunities had already gone begging by the time Parris broke the deadlock shortly before half-time, while Black Cats keeper Claudia Moan also thwarted those wearing vibrant green kits. We were eventually punished when the physical Wearsiders, whose sense of attacking adventure had been somewhat limited, found an unlikely equaliser from a set piece midway through the second half as Gabby Holmes headed past Mary Earps. Thankfully it elicited the perfect response when Parris restored the lead with an emphatic finish two minutes later. It also showcased the mental strength United demonstrated numerous times during last season, never more so than in our semi-final victory over Brighton three rounds later.

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY (AT HOME)…

UNITED WOMEN

The only time we’ve been drawn at home in the fourth round came in 2019/20, and it saw us complete a full house of competitions against Manchester City that season, having already faced the Blues in the league (lost 1-0) and Conti Cup (won 2-0). The FA Cup chapter of the trilogy provided the most drama, although sadly the result ultimately went in City’s favour.

The biggest flashpoint of a pulsating contest here at LSV saw United’s Abbie McManus denied a second-half

24_28__4th_round_feature CGIM.indd 21

equaliser, after the officials deemed her close-range effort hadn’t crossed the line before keeper Ellie Roebuck clawed the ball away. Moments later, Jill Scott put the visitors 3-1 up and

The teams walk out ahead of a five-goal Cup cracker

killed off what was threatening to become a brilliant comeback after we’d earlier been 2-0 down. Ellen White’s brace had given City that cushion, with Katie Zelem’s corner goal disallowed before Lauren James pulled one back and McManus was denied. Still, an 88th-minute own goal from Lauren Hemp sparked a final rally to force a replay, and the relief from the City players was clear to see come the full-time whistle, as they held on to edge a brilliant, yet frustrating, Cup tie.

09/01/2024 22:03

UNITED TO DELIVER EXCELLENCE DXC supports the Reds on and off the pitch connecting with fans and the community through technology.

Discover more in the Manchester United App.

DXC.com

AD TEMPLATE.indd 1

02/10/2023 22:34

MAGPIES ON THE MARCH IT’S BEEN A BRILLIANT FEW YEARS FOR THE ‘LASSES’, AND THEY’RE ALL SET FOR ANOTHER KEY DATE IN THEIR HISTORY WORDS: JOE NELSON

30

UNITED WOMEN

The amateur women’s teams of Newcastle United and Manchester United once met at Wembley in 1996, in a friendly encounter the Reds won 2-0 (right) ahead of the men’s Charity Shield, and both teams have been on quite the journey since then.

The Magpies fluctuated somewhat in the early 2000s, peaking with a spell in the FA Women’s Premier League (England’s top division pre-WSL) but despite some challenging periods along the way their trajectory has been nothing but upwards since 2017. That was the year Newcastle United

30-31_MUWFC_Oppo background.CGIM.indd 38

Women became part of the club’s charity arm, Newcastle United Foundation. At that time the team was not officially part of the club, but in 2019 the facilities available to the Magpies increased greatly. The team partnered up with Northumbria University to provide on- and off-pitch support for the squad – a move that saw current manager Becky Langley assume her position while continuing to lead the university women’s side.

09/01/2024 12:22

THE VISITORS

The Magpies have attracted big crowds to St James’ Park

31 Newcastle’s professional status looks set to propel them further up the divisions

professional. In doing so, they became the first team in Women’s National League history to make this move. After reaching the third tier, an influx of players and staff were added to the already-strong squad as the Magpies put together a solid early-season run.

It meant they ended 2023 unbeaten in all competitions across the calendar year, and as such they currently top the third-tier rankings, with a spot in the Championship their next target. As for the FA Cup, after eclipsing fellow third-tier side Stoke City 5-0 in the previous round, they were drawn with Marc Skinner’s Reds – for all their recent success, if our visitors can maintain their winning run this afternoon against such top WSL opponents, it’ll go down as their most famous victory yet... ○

UNITED WOMEN

30-31_MUWFC_Oppo background.CGIM.indd 39

T H E S U M M E R O F 2 02 3 S AW T HE M B EC O M E T H E FIRST T E A M IN WOM E N’ S NAT IO NA L L E AG U E HISTO RY TO T U R N P RO FE S S IO NA L

I ma g e s : Co l i n L oc k

This partnership proved fruitful, with many members of the current Magpies’ squad having played under Langley at Northumbria University (Georgia Gibson, Katie Barker and Erin Nelson, to name just three). With the backing of Northumbria University, Newcastle were soon plotting promotion from the fourth tier, the FA Women’s National League Division One North.

Langley and her staff laid a strong foundation over two years, with 2021/22 ultimately proving a transformative one for the North East side.

The team was already performing well in the league at the beginning of that campaign, before Newcastle United’s Saudi-led takeover was confirmed in October 2021.

With the backing of new ownership, the Magpies pushed eventual league champions Liverpool Feds all the way, only to narrowly miss out on promotion to the third tier.

Despite the disappointment, there were so many positives to take from 2021/22, including a first-ever match at St James’ Park, in May 2022.

The Magpies hosted Alnwick Town at the iconic stadium and attracted a crowd of 22,134 fans, as Katie Barker became the first Newcastle Women player to score at the ground.

That summer of 2022 saw Langley’s side become an official part of Newcastle United Football Club, as the growth of women’s football in the region, and the country, was recognised.

With this backing, and driven by the hurt from the season prior, the aim for 2022/23 was clear: win the National League Division One North title and gain promotion into the third tier.

Langley’s side broke another record early into last season, with more than 28,000 fans roaring them on at St James’ Park for their FA Cup second-round meeting with Barnsley, setting a record for the largest attendance in the competition outside the final. Over 24,000 fans were at the same stadium in 2023, in a 6-1 win over Bradford City, as the team marched towards the title. The Magpies lifted the trophy on the final day (main image), gaining promotion into the National League Northern Premier Division.

The summer of 2023 bore more good news for Langley’s team, as the decision was made for them to adopt a full-time model and turn

09/01/2024 12:22

THE VISITORS

2023/24 SO FAR

32

The Magpies are five points clear at the top of the third-tier table, with 10 wins and a draw from 11 games

UNITED WOMEN

Newcastle retained 16 of the players who won the fourth tier last term, while Amber-Keegan Stobbs (Lewes), Emma Kelly and Tyler Dodds (Sunderland), Bridget Galloway and Hannah Greenwood (Durham) and Elysia Boddy (Bristol City) have bolstered the ranks with vital experience from the divisions above.

Off the pitch, Andy Cook – who won the Northern Premier Division (the league the Magpies are now in) with Nottingham Forest last term – joined Becky Langley’s staff as first-team coach, and as a group they’ve hit the ground running.

A narrow 3-2 victory over Burnley got the Magpies’ 2023/24 off to a winning start, with 4-0 and 3-1 triumphs over established Northern Premier Division outfits AFC Fylde and Stoke laying down a marker for the other teams in the division.

Liverpool Feds, who pipped Newcastle to the fourth-tier title in 2022, fell to a 4-0 defeat against the Magpies in October – a strong sign of their progress – as Langley’s team built real momentum

32-33_MUWFC_Oppo.CGIM.indd 38

heading into autumn. Newcastle have also defeated reigning division champions Nottingham Forest twice already this term – once in the league (Forest were denied promotion after losing the play-off final to Southern Premier Division champions Watford) and once in the FAWNL Cup. On the way to facing the Reds in the FA Cup, Newcastle have scored 19 goals in three previous rounds while conceding just two, but Manchester United are likely to provider far sterner opposition than Mancunian Unity, their first-round opponents from the seventh tier, who Newcastle walloped 9-2.

Such one-sided scorelines have been a common occurrence: Langley’s side signed off last year with an 11-3 victory at home to AFC Fylde, a result which meant Newcastle completed 2023 without tasting defeat. And 2024 began in similar vein, with an emphatic 7-0 triumph over Halifax FC at home last weekend. Livewire no.9 Katie Barker bagged a hat-trick, and is one of many players the Reds will want to keep close tabs on today.

09/01/2024 22:03

THE VISITORS

LAST LINE-UP v HALIFAX FC (HOME, FAWNL), 07.01.24

DONNELLY BURT

POTTS

BEDEAU

C LU B CA P TA I N

GRACE DONNELLY Goalkeeper Donnelly has witnessed the Magpies’ transformation first hand, having been at the club since 2017. An ACL injury kept her out for the whole of 2020/21 but she’s really impressed since her return, being an authoritative voice as well as a steady pair of hands. The no.1 takes the role of club skipper, even if Amber-Keegan Stobbs is the regular armband-wearer on the pitch.

DODDS

KELLY

BODDY

MCQUADE

BARKER

GIBSON GALLOWAY

SUBS USED: GREENWOOD, WILKINSON, STOBBS, MILNE-REDHEAD, ELSON

33

FAMILIAR FACE

HEAD COACH

BRIDGET GALLOWAY

BECKY LANGLEY

Gateshead-born forward Galloway joined last summer from Durham, with whom she faced the Reds in both the FA Cup and Conti Cup last season. A childhood Newcastle fan, the 24-year-old is living the dream in the black-and-white shirt, and the no.18 has already scored 14 times in all competitions this season.

Head coach since 2019 when she was still in her twenties, Langley has been with the team every step of the way since, and is highly respected by her charges. Boss on a full-time basis since the summer of 2022, she’s as excited as her players for today’s game, saying “we just want to showcase what we can do” as she proudly brings her squad to LSV.

● The Magpies’ regular

● Should Newcastle top

home stadium is the

their division they will be

Gears sign from Sunderland

● No.4 Amber-Keegan

10,200-capacity Kingston

promoted along with the

– she’s back playing after

Stobbs was named after

Park, also home of rugby

Southern champions, with

11 months out following

club legend Kevin Keegan.

side Newcastle Falcons.

no play-off this season.

the birth of her son.

32-33_MUWFC_Oppo.CGIM.indd 39

● December saw Nicki

UNITED WOMEN

THE KNOWLEDGE

09/01/2024 22:03

CALLING FUTURE BALLERS Football sessions for girls aged 12 to 14 who want to play their way.

SCAN HERE TO #FindYourSquad

AD TEMPLATE.indd 1

02/10/2023 22:50

FESTIVE JOY Players spend quality time with young fans on uplifting visits ahead of Christmas Day

including captain Katie Zelem, whose mum used to work at the hospital. Katie said: “It’s amazing that we can put a smile on the children’s faces and hopefully bring them a little bit of joy around Christmas time.

It’s so important while we’re in the privileged position we are, that we’re able to give back.

“You can see how happy the kids are when they get their

Toone’s DJ tribute!

35_MUWFC_MU-Foundation (approved).CGIM.indd 1

SCAN HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO _>

35

UNITED WOMEN

United players took time out ahead of the festive break to spread Christmas cheer with some deserving youngsters.

Seven members of Marc Skinner’s squad visited patients at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital as they played games, signed autographs, handed out gifts and chatted to the young people. In one heartwarming moment, Ella Toone met aspiring DJ, Alex. Ella promised Alex that she’d dedicate her next goal to him, which she fulfilled with a DJ celebration following her strike against Liverpool (right).

These annual visits are important for the whole squad,

M U F O U N D AT I O N

The Reds pose for a group photo with the excited youngsters at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital

shirts and gift packs. They’re so charismatic, they make us laugh – not only does it make their day, but it makes ours too. It’s so rewarding and inspiring for us to be able to see the kids.”

Katie and Nikita Parris also surprised Foundation participants Imogen, an Ability Counts participant, and Poppy, a partner primary school pupil, at Carrington with a meet-andgreet and special United gifts.

Imogen had even revealed on the morning of the visit (without knowing what was to come!) that she was hoping to catch sight of Parris, her favourite player, and Zelem at Carrington.

Parris said: “It’s very important, especially at this time of year, to give children and young people a special time.

“As a community and as a club we want to give back and make sure everyone feels special – especially our young fans, who come out and support us. They’re always cheering us on and we are thankful.

“Sometimes we can’t get to meet all of them but the ones we do meet, it’s always special.”

09/01/2024 22:02

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

MEDALS MASH-UP MCR MIX-UP! MATCH THE REDS TO THE CLUBS WHERE THEY PREVIOUSLY WON THE FA CUP…

36

HANNAH BLUNDELL []

[] BIRMINGHAM CITY

NIKITA PARRIS []

[] CHELSEA

RACHEL WILLIAMS []

UNITED WOMEN

TWELVE MONTHS AGO...

[] MANCHESTER CITY CAN YOU IDENTIFY THE HIDDEN STARS FROM OUR L AST FOURTH-ROUND TIE?

1

2

3

Medals mash-up answers: Hannah Blundell: Chelsea; Nikita Parris: Manchester City; Rachel Williams: Birmingham City Twelve months ago answers: 1. Ella Toone; 2. Maya Le Tissier; 3. Millie Turner 36-37_MUWFC_Junior-Red-Leicester-CGIM.indd 1

09/01/2024 22:02

FIV E THI NG S YOU MIG HT NO T KN OW AB OU T THI S FAM OU S KN OC KO UT COM PET ITI ON ...

FACT #1

K I D S ' PAG E S

FA CUP FACTS FACT #2

SOUTHAMPTON WERE THE FIRST WINNERS, IN 1970/71

FACT #3

SCOTTISH CLUBS FINISHED AS RUNNERS-UP IN THE FIRST THREE FINALS

37

FACT #4

OLD TRAFFORD HOSTED THE 1989 FINAL, WHEN LEASOWE PACIFIC BEAT FRIENDS OF FULHAM 3-2 THE FIRST FINAL AT WEMBLEY WAS IN 2015, WITH CHELSEA DEFEATING NOTTS COUNTY

36-37_MUWFC_Junior-Red-Leicester-CGIM.indd 2

LAST SEASON’S FINAL ATTENDANCE OF 77,390 BETWEEN UNITED AND CHELSEA WAS A COMPETITION RECORD

UNITED WOMEN

FACT #5

09/01/2024 22:02

Sparking teamwork in your community

Sp in y

Search Barclays Community Football Fund to find out more

Search B

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

AD TEMPLATE copy.indd 1

Since 20 more ac

12/12/2023 09:21

● FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE TABLE 1

Team

P

W

D

L

GD

Pts

Chelsea

10

8

1

1

21

25

2

Manchester City

10

7

1

2

19

22

3

Arsenal

10

7

1

2

14

22

4

UNITED

10

5

3

2

14

18

5

Liverpool

10

5

3

2

4

18

6

Tottenham

10

4

3

3

-5

15

7

Everton

10

3

2

5

-10

11

8

Leicester

10

2

4

4

-6

10

9

Aston Villa

10

3

0

7

-10

9

10 Brighton

10

2

2

6

-12

8

11 West Ham

10

1

2

7

-13

5

12 Bristol City

10

1

2

7

-16

5

● UNITED APPEARANCES AND GOALS, 2023/24 PLAYER

WSL

FA CUP

LEAGUE CUP

UWCL

TOTAL

APP

GLS

APP

GLS APP

GLS

APP

GLS

APP

Hannah Blundell

10

1

0

0

3

0

2

0

15

GLS 1

Mary Earps

10

0

0

0

0

0

2

0

12

0

Gemma Evans

0(4)

0

0

0

3

0

0

0

3(4)

0

Leah Galton

8(1)

1

0

0

0(3)

1

2

0

10(4)

2

Lucia Garcia

4(6)

2

0

0

3

1

1(1)

0

8(7)

3

Gabby George

3

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

4

0

Geyse

6(2)

1

0

0

1(1)

1

1(1)

0

8(4)

2

Irene Guerrero

0(1)

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0(1)

0

Hayley Ladd

5(1)

1

0

0

2

1

0

0

7(1)

2

Maya Le Tissier

10

1

0

0

3

0

2

0

15

1

Melvine Malard

6(3)

4

0

0

0(2)

0

1(1)

1

7(6)

5

Hinata Miyazawa

5(3)

1

0

0

2

0

0(2)

0

7(5)

1

Lisa Naalsund

1(4)

0

0

0

2(1)

1

2

1

5(5)

2

Nikita Parris

7(2)

4

0

0

2(1)

4

0

0

9(3)

8

Evie Rabjohn

0

0

0

0

0(1)

0

0

0

0(1)

0

Jayde Riviere

6(2)

0

0

0

2

0

2

0

10(2)

0 3

Ella Toone

9(1)

3

0

0

2(1)

0

2

0

13(2)

Phallon Tullis-Joyce

0

0

0

0

3

0

0

0

3

0

Millie Turner

10

1

0

0

1

0

2

0

13

1

Rachel Williams

0(10)

4

0

0

3

1

0(1)

0

3(11)

5

Katie Zelem

10

1

0

0

1(1)

1

2

0

13(1)

2

UNITED ALL-TIME APPS & GOALS

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

APPEARANCES, GOALS & ’23/24 WSL STATISTICS

39

West Ham’s draw at Leicester lifted them off the bottom

● WSL TOP SCORERS, 2023/24 SEASON Khadija Shaw (Manchester City)

9

Lauren James (Chelsea)

7

Martha Thomas (Tottenham Hotspur)

7

Elisabeth Terland (Brighton & Hove Albion)

7

Jill Roord (Manchester City)

Hannah and Maya are the only two Reds to have started all 15 of our games this season

● ALL-TIME RECORDS: GAMES

● ALL-TIME RECORDS: GOALS

Apps

GLS

6

Ella Toone

146

Ella Toone

47

Lauren Hemp (Manchester City)

5

Katie Zelem

143

Leah Galton

36

Agnes Beever-Jones (Chelsea)

5

Millie Turner

126

Katie Zelem

32

Amalie Thestrup (Bristol City)

5

Leah Galton

122

Lauren James

28

Mary Earps

108

Alessia Russo

26

Hayley Ladd

95

Jessica Sigsworth

26

Kirsty Hanson

90

Nikita Parris

17

Ona Batlle

77

Mollie Green

16

● WSL TOP ASSISTS, 2023/24 SEASON 4

Hannah Blundell

73

Kirsty Hanson

16

Sam Kerr (Chelsea)

3

Amy Turner

67

Lucia Garcia

11

Lena Petermann (Leicester City)

3

Jessica Sigsworth

66

Hayley Ladd

11

Ella Toone (United) 3

Jackie Groenen

60

Rachel Williams

11

Chloe Kelly (Manchester City)

3

Alessia Russo

59

Lizzie Arnot

9

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (Chelsea)

3

Kirsty Smith

58

Vilde Boe Risa

8

Jessie Fleming (Chelsea)

3

Lauren James

56

Martha Thomas

8

Leah Galton (United) 3

Martha Thomas

53

Millie Turner

8

Laia Aleixandri (Manchester City)

3

Martha Harris

49

Jane Ross

7

Niamh Charles (Chelsea)

3

Maya Le Tissier

46

Charlie Devlin

6

Maisie Symonds (Brighton & Hove Albion)

3

Maria Thorisdottir

45

Alex Greenwood

5

Alex Greenwood (Manchester City)

3

Vilde Boe Risa

44

Melvine Malard

5

39_MUWFC_App-Stats_converted.CG.indd 1

UNITED WOMEN

Victoria Pelova (Arsenal)

09/01/2024 22:06

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

1-1

4,903

Earps

Blundell

Le Tissier 1 Turner

George

Ladd

Zelem

UWCL

Wed 18

PSG (A) 7pm

1-3

10,358

Earps

Riviere

Le Tissier

Turner

Blundell

Naalsund 1

Zelem

WSL

Sun 22

Everton (A) 1pm

5-0

1,990

Earps

Riviere

Le Tissier

Turner

Blundell

Miyazawa

Zelem

NOV EM BER WSL

Sun 5

Brighton (A) 6.45pm

2-2

3,444

Earps

Riviere

Le Tissier

Turner

Blundell

Miyazawa

Zelem

CC

Thu 9

Everton (H) 7pm

7-0

1,804

Tullis-Joyce Riviere

Le Tissier

Evans

Blundell

Miyazawa

Ladd 1

WSL

Sun 12

West Ham (H) 12pm

5-0

4,396

Earps

Riviere

Le Tissier

Turner 1

Blundell

Toone

Zelem

WSL

Sun 19

Manchester City (H) 4.30pm 1-3

43,615

Earps

Blundell

Turner

Le Tissier

Galton

Naalsund

Zelem 1 •

CC

Wed 22

Liverpool (A) 7pm

1-0

1,958

Tullis-Joyce Riviere

Le Tissier

Evans

Blundell

Toone

Ladd

WSL

Sun 26

Bristol City (A) 12.30pm

2-0

14,138

Earps

Riviere

Le Tissier

Turner

Blundell

Zelem

Miyazawa 1

DECEM BER WSL

Sun 10

Tottenham (A) 6.45pm

4-0

2,152

Earps

Riviere

Le Tissier

Turner

Blundell 1

Zelem

Ladd 1

CC

Thu 14

Leicester City (H) 7pm

3-1

2,068

Tullis-Joyce Blundell

Le Tissier

Turner

Evans

Zelem 1 •

Naalsund 1

WSL

Sun 17

Liverpool (H) 12.15pm

1-2

6,303

Earps

Le Tissier

Turner

Blundell

Ladd

Zelem

Riviere

JA NUA RY

40

FA

Sun 14

Newcastle (H) 12pm

WSL

Sun 21

Chelsea (A) 12.30pm

CC

Wed 24

Manchester City (A) 7pm

WSL

Sun 28

Aston Villa (H) 12pm

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

WSL

Sun 24

Manchester City (A) 1pm

CC

Sun 31

Final (Molineux) 3pm

WSL

Sun 31

Everton (H) 12pm []

A PR IL FA

Sun 14

Semi-finals

WSL

Sun 21

Tottenham (H) 12pm

WSL

Sun 28

Leicester (A) 3pm

WSL

Sun 5

Liverpool (A) 2pm

FA

Sun 12

Final (Wembley) 2.30pm

WSL

Sat 18

Chelsea (H) TBC

MAY

UNITED WOMEN

United score listed first. All fixtures subject to change – TV picks confirmed until 4 February [] Fixture date subject to participation in Continental League Cup final

Visit ManUtd.com/fixtures for latest fixtures information

40-41_MUWFC_Fixtures.CGIM.indd 1

09/01/2024 22:02

X/Twitter: @manutdwomen

Facebook: manutdwomen

YouTube: /ManUtd

2023/24 SEASON SCHEDULE

FOLLOW THE REDS:

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

–

–

m

Garcia

Miyazawa

Malard

Parris

Riviere

Toone

Williams

Galton

Evans

m

Toone

Malard

Geyse

Galton

Miyazawa

Garcia

Williams

–

–

m

Garcia

Toone

Malard 1

Parris 2

Evans

Williams 2

Guerrero

Naalsund

m

Toone 1

Malard

Geyse

Galton

Garcia

Williams 1

Parris

–

–

1

Naalsund

Parris 3

Williams 1

Garcia

Galton 1

Rabjohn

Toone

Zelem

Geyse 1

m

Miyazawa

Parris 1

Geyse 1

Galton

Naalsund

Malard 1

Williams

Evans

Garcia 1

m1•

Malard

Toone

Parris

Geyse

Riviere

Garcia

Miyazawa

Williams

–

Miyazawa

Parris 1

Williams

Garcia

Naalsund

Galton

Malard

–

–

zawa 1

Parris 1

Toone

Galton

Geyse

Ladd

Malard

Williams

Garcia

–

1

Parris

Toone 1

Galton

Malard 1

Garcia

Geyse

Williams

Naalsund

Evans

sund 1

Garcia 1

Toone

Williams

Geyse

Malard

Galton

Parris

–

–

m

Parris

Toone 1

Galton

Malard

Williams

Garcia

Geyse

Naalsund

–

41

40-41_MUWFC_Fixtures.CGIM.indd 2

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

UNITED WOMEN

L SV i m a ge s : N a o m i J o h n s o n

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

09/01/2024 22:02

QUESTION TIME

ADDED-TIME

QUIZ

TEN TEASERS TO TACKLE, MANY WITH A WOMEN’S FA CUP ANGLE. GOOD LUCK!

1. Name the only member of the current squad to have scored in an FA Cup final, doing so in 2012.

2. Which team were the first FA Cup visitors to Leigh Sports Village, in January 2020?

7. Which Scandinavian player scored in both the fifth round and quarter-final of the FA Cup last season with what turned out to be her final goals for United?

42 3. And which current Lioness was the first Red to

score an FA Cup goal for United here at Leigh?

8. How many clean sheets did Mary Earps keep in her 30 competitive appearances for United during 2023: 10, 13 or 16?

4. Name the only two sides the Reds have faced on two occasions in the FA Cup.

5. Who was top scorer for Marc Skinner’s side in the FA Cup last season, with four goals?

6. Which of the clubs we faced in last season’s FA Cup have already been eliminated this season?

9. And sticking with those three numbers, how UNITED WOMEN

many games had the Reds gone unbeaten across all competitions at Leigh Sports Village before the meeting with Liverpool last time out: 10, 13 or 16?

10. Newcastle United will today become the Reds’ 24th different competitive opponent since the team was reformed in 2018, but who were the most-recent club United met for the first time?

ANSWERS 1. Rachel Williams; 2. Manchester City; 3. Lauren James; 4. Brighton, Manchester City; 5. Nikita Parris; 6. Lewes; 7. Vilde Boe Risa; 8. 13; 9. 16; 10. Paris Saint-Germain

42_MUWFC_Quiz.CGIM.indd 1

09/01/2024 21:59

Manchester United Home 23/24

© 2023 adidas AG

AD TEMPLATE copy.indd 1 H23834_MUFC_FW23_AWAY_WOMENS_KV_A5.indd 1

12/12/2023 28/09/2023 09:24 16:50

MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN Head coach: Marc Skinner

NEWCASTLE UNITED WOMEN Head coach: Becky Langley

Gabby George

3

1

Grace Donnelly (GK)

Maya Le Tissier

4

2

Daisy Burt

Aoife Mannion

5

3

Keira Skelton

Hannah Blundell

6

4

Amber-Keegan Stobbs

Ella Toone

7

5

Olivia Watt

Irene Guerrero

8

6

Jodie Bartle

Melvine Malard

9

7

Tyler Dodds

Katie Zelem

10

8

Emma Kelly

Leah Galton

11

9

Katie Barker

Hayley Ladd

12

10 Georgia Gibson

Jayde Riviere

14

11 Kacie Elson

Gemma Evans

15

12 Cara Milne-Redhead

Lisa Naalsund

16

14 Sharna Wilkinson

Lucia Garcia

17

15 Hannah Greenwood

Hinata Miyazawa

20

16 Becky Ferguson

Millie Turner

21

17 Erin Nelson

Nikita Parris

22

18 Bridget Galloway

Geyse

23

19 Anna Soulsby

Evie Rabjohn

25

20 Naomi Bedeau

Mary Earps (GK)

27

21 Jasmine McQuade

Rachel Williams

28

22 Elysia Boddy

Emma Watson

34

23 Charlotte Potts

Safia Middleton-Patel (GK)

39

25 Nicki Gears

Lucy Newell

55

26 Grace Boyes

Phallon Tullis-Joyce (GK)

91

27 Hannah Reid (GK)

M ATC H

O F F IC I A LS

Referee Megan Wilson Assistants Jacob Graham, Jason Smith Fourth official Richard Fullicks

44_MUWFC_Newcastle back cover (officials added).CGIM.indd 1

09/01/2024 22:06