Manchester United Women v West Ham United Women match programme, WSL, 25.03.23

V WEST HAM UNITED WOMEN

BARCLAYS WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE

SATURDAY 25 MARCH 2023 • 5.30PM £2

WHAT’S INSIDE

_ INSIDE STORIES

_ LAST TIME OUT

_ CAPTAIN’S COLUMN

_ UNITED SQUAD, 2022/23

_ ACADEMY ROUND-UP

_ UNITED FOUNDATION

_ THE OPPOSITION

_ JUNIOR REDS & QUIZ

_ MUW SUPPORTERS’ CLUB

_ FAN MESSAGES

_ 2022/23 STATISTICS

Top 10 v London clubs We pick out the big stories from our capital clashes, both home and away.

Inspirations Four Reds reveal the role models that have helped guide them in life, as well as in football.

MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB

_ MUW RESULTS & FIXTURES

_ REDS ON REWIND: 1976

Co-chairmen Joel Glazer, Avram Glazer Directors Bryan Glazer, Kevin Glazer, Edward Glazer, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, Richard Arnold, Michael Edelson, Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill CBE Secretary Rebecca Britain Honorary president Martin Edwards

MATCH PROGRAMME TEAM

Editor Charlie Ghagan Editor-in-chief Ian McLeish Contributors Harriet Drudge, Jamie Spencer, Courtney Hill, Joe Ganley, Matthew Brown, Mikey Partington Design Tom Chase, Andy Ball Photography Ash Donelon, John Peters, Matt Peters, Iain Reid, Getty, Alamy Thanks to Steve Bennett, Elayna Currie, Hannah Mitchell, Matt Johnson, Ben Williams, George Benson/West Ham United FC, John Shiel/MuPrint.com. © Manchester United 2023

Marc Skinner After Sunday’s FA Cup trip to Sussex, the boss and his Reds are all set for Old Trafford.

Leah Galton Our much-loved no.11 looks back on an eventful 99 appearances ahead of today.

MARC SKINNER

Hello and welcome to Old Trafford, where we’re excited to be back at this incredible stadium and play in front of another large crowd.

We’ve had a few experiences of playing in big stadiums in front of a lot of fans, particularly this season. We have a good record from those games and we use the energy well – both our internal motivation on days like today, but also what we get from you in the stands, which is always incredible.

There have been times this season where we’ve perhaps not performed to the levels we’ve wanted. As a group, we’re honest with each other when this happens, as we were last week after the Lewes game. Nevertheless, we got the result we needed, and it was a great occasion at The Dripping Pan, which started way before kick-off. As we arrived on the coach, there were queues of people down the road –it was like a concert! It was a brilliant day for women’s football and a good cup tie, especially for the neutral.

A consistent factor in helping us get results when we’re not playing at our best is you. We hear you home and away every week, when we’re winning and when we’re not. You lift us and we’re determined to give you plenty to cheer about in the final couple of months of the season.

Today, we welcome West Ham United to Manchester. Paul Konchesky’s side have a number of talented players capable of catching us out. They will be aggressive in the tackle and energetic, so we know

WSL POINTS

what we’ve got to do when facing them. We want to control as much as we possibly can – we want to control their positioning, control where they are on the field, and drag them into spaces they don’t want to be in. If we can do that consistently, we will put ourselves in a great position to get the three points.

This really is the ‘business end’ of the season, as the saying goes. We’re delighted to be in the semi-final of the FA Cup for the first time in the club’s history – and it’s great that we will play Brighton at home for a chance to play in the final at Wembley.

To get there and to finish the season strong, I’ll be expecting high energy, consistency, no complacency and a ruthlessness that we’ve perhaps been missing in recent weeks. We’re still disappointed with the result against Chelsea, but not the performance. We played well, we were pushing and we’ve certainly closed the gap between us and them. But it’s about getting the results now, being aggressive with the ball and scoring plenty of goals.

Enjoy the game.

‘HIGH ENERGY, CONSISTENCY, NO COMPLACENCY AND A RUTHLESSNESS’ IS WHAT THE MANAGER IS ASKING OF HIS REDS, AS THEY STEP OUT AT OLD TRAFFORD FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS SEASON IN SEARCH OF

THIS IS ME

INSIDE STORIES

TIME TO BE COUNTED...

With the clocks going forward tonight, it feels as if spring is finally here. As well as longer days, green leaves on the trees and all that, it also means the football fixtures take on a whole new level of importance – certainly for the teams with plenty to play for.

In Manchester United Women’s case, we’ve got either eight or nine games to play between today and 27 May, and it looks set to be the most important two-month spell of our five-year history. In the WSL,

there’s no denying that the defeat at Chelsea two weeks ago hurt; the 1-0 loss shifting the Blues into pole position to retain the title. And by the time we kick off at 5.30pm today, Arsenal could be level on points with Marc Skinner’s Reds, if they can defeat local rivals Spurs away from home at 3pm. Should that happen, then United, Arsenal and Manchester City will all be on 35 points from 15 games, two points behind Chelsea, who will have played a game fewer. Four teams into three Champions

League spots simply doesn’t go, so one of that quartet will miss out. And with plenty of ‘six-pointers’ between the four yet to be played – Chelsea visit Manchester City tomorrow, for starters – points will be dropped, so Skinner is absolutely right to place no limit on our ambitions in the weeks ahead, in both the WSL and FA Cup (turn the page for more on that).

Today’s late-afternoon fixture has some extra spice, as well, with it being just our fourth match played at Old Trafford – against the side we met here on our first visit, two days shy of exactly two years ago. We won that behind-closed-doors match 2-0, while the Reds’ subsequent trips to M16 have also yielded three WSL points: 3-1 v Everton last March (a game played in front of 20,241 fans), and a 5-0 win against Aston Villa earlier this season, with 30,196 in attendance for that one.

With tickets selling fast this week, and with so much at stake as we nudge ever closer to the end of the season, everything is in place for another healthy crowd today, including those home-and-away

Over 30,000 supporters were here for our last visit to M16 – a home record for the Reds

We’ve lost just once in all competitions since our Old Trafford win against Villa, 13 games ago

TALK OF THE TOONE

Reds in the safe-standing area, in the north-east corner of the stadium, where you’ll likely hear the most noise! Many more will be watching this game away from the stadium, with it being broadcast live on Sky Sports immediately after the women’s north London derby, and following on from last night’s televised Merseyside derby. Such eye-catching fixtures are part of the latest Women’s Football Weekend – an FA initiative to celebrate the incredible talent and ever-growing fan base that makes up women’s football in England. Coinciding with the pause in the men’s club game due

to the international break, Women’s Football Weekend began in 2019, with Goodison Park, Villa Park and St Mary’s among the other big stadiums hosting WSL or Championship games this weekend.

We suspect that the biggest noise from across all the fixtures will emanate from Old Trafford, however, where with thousands of Reds behind the team, United can hopefully maintain our 100 per cent record on the big stage in M16. If we can get the win, the excitement levels will only ratchet up even further as we head into April. Come on, United!

SATURDAY FINISH IN WSL

The final day of the Women’s Super League season has been brought forward by one day, the FA has announced. The last day of will now take place on Saturday 27 May, instead of the originally scheduled Sunday 28 May, with all games kicking off at 3pm. This will mean the six WSL fixtures

will no longer clash with the final day of the men’s Premier League season. The last two years have seen the WSL title race go to the last day, with United away to Liverpool this time around. The other final-day games are: Arsenal v Aston Villa, Brighton v Leicester, Manchester City v Everton, Reading v Chelsea and West Ham v Tottenham.

The latest episode of the UTD Podcast sees Ella Toone talk through her remarkable rise, in tandem with that of the women’s game in general. As a devoted Red growing up, Ella’s dream of playing for the team appeared impossible but the creation of the women’s side in 2018 changed all that as she “came home”.

Speaking to presenters

Helen Evans, Sam Homewood and David May, Ella talks of her pride in helping to inspire future generations, as well as why her local pub is still doing a roaring trade in bucket hats in her honour! To listen or watch the podcast, or any of the 165 other episodes – including other MUW stars – just scan below.

IF WE CAN GET THE WIN, EXCITEMENT LEVELS WILL ONLY RATCHET UP EVEN FURTHER AS WE HEAD INTO APRIL

SEAGULLS IN SEMIS

United at home against Brighton in last four of Cup

GRACE’S SCORING STREAK

The semi-final draw of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup, which took place on Tuesday morning, has seen Marc Skinner’s side drawn at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.

The tie will be played on Sunday 16 April, with a place in the following month’s final at Wembley up for grabs.

United advanced to the penultimate round of the competition for the first time on Sunday, following a 3-1 victory at Lewes in the quarter-finals. Albion were our first-ever Women’s FA Cup opponents back in the fourth round of the 2018/19 competition – a game we won 2-0 away from home – and are a side that Marc Skinner’s team have already had success against this season, winning 4-0 against at Leigh Sports Village in October’s WSL meeting. With the reverse WSL fixture taking place next weekend, it will also mean back-to-back meetings with the Seagulls, who are currently managed by interim boss Amy Merricks (right) after Jens Scheuer left by mutual consent earlier this month, with the side 11th in the

The teams last met in October –although they will face each other in West Sussex just before the Cup clash

WSL. In the FA Cup they’ve won 7-0 (v West Brom), 5-0 (v Coventry) and 2-0 (v Birmingham) to reach the last four.

The Seagulls are the first top-flight opponents the Reds will face in this season’s tournament, after we previously defeated Championship sides Sunderland, Durham and Lewes.

The tie is also a repeat of the equivalent fixture in the men’s FA Cup, with Erik ten Hag’s United paired with the south-coast club in the semi-finals of that competition the following weekend. Unlike the men’s FA Cup semis, however, which are played on a neutral ground, the semi-finals of the Women’s FA Cup are drawn in the same way as previous rounds.

The other semi-final in the Women’s FA Cup sees Aston Villa – conquerors of Manchester City in the last round – on home soil as they take on Cup favourites Chelsea. Kick-off times for the 16 April fixtures had yet to be confirmed at the time of print, so keep an eye on ManUtd.com/tickets for confirmation and to purchase tickets (please note: season tickets do not cover cup ties).

Grace Clinton has been making plenty of headlines since her loan switch to Bristol City in January.

This month has seen the teenage midfielder score a brace against Crystal Palace (above), as well as another goal v Durham, in two wins to keep her side top of the Championship. Having only scored once in 21 senior appearances prior to her loan move, Grace now has five in nine games for the Vixens, although the England U23 international was also sent off in the Conti Cup after receiving two yellow cards v Lewes.

In the WSL, meanwhile, Kirsty Hanson has been making a real impact with Aston Villa – the 24-year-old has as many WSL assists as fellow Reds Ella Toone and Ona Batlle (7), with only Chelsea’s Guro Reiten claiming more (9). We’ll keep you updated on the progress of other Reds out on loan in a future issue.

LAST TIME OUT

1

United reached the semi-finals of the Women’s FA Cup for the first time after beating Lewes 3-1 last Sunday.

At the second-tier side’s packed-out home, The Dripping Pan, the hosts made a quick start. A searching pass was played into the path of Natalie Johnson who fizzed the ball across the box, but thankfully an intervention from Maria Thorisdottir prevented an almost certain goal.

Just a few minutes later, the Reds responded by going a goal in front. Ona Batlle was the provider, pinging a ball towards the onrushing Alessia Russo, who darted towards the front post as the ball was directed into the net. Defender Rhian Cleverly was deemed to have got the final touch, with it credited as an own goal.

Lisa Naalsund’s United debut was unfortunately cut short on 25 minutes, with the Norwegian midfielder forced off due to injury, and Hayley Ladd taking her place.

The start of the second half saw Ella Toone come on for Lucia Garcia, and just two minutes into the restart, Martha Thomas was on the end of two big chances to double our lead. The first came from a Batlle cross, the second from a searching Toone ball, but on both occasions our no.9 was denied by keeper Sophie Whitehouse.

After peppering the home area with a handful of dangerous balls across goal, the Reds finally earned a second goal courtesy of Vilde Boe Risa. Toone showed patience before picking out Batlle, who lifted the ball into the direction of our no.8, with her bullet header flying beyond Whitehouse. Just when it looked as though United had assumed control, the hosts halved the deficit. A deflected pass out from the back by Mary Earps dropped to Emily Kraft, who lifted the ball over our shot-stopper: 2-1. Batlle came so close to putting the tie to bed, but Whitehouse was quick off her line to close down the angle. Substitute Nikita Parris also had a big opportunity when put through one-on-one, but her shot went wide. Our no.22 was quick to rectify her miss, though, and made no mistake when put through again, and this time she guided the ball into the net to finish the tie.

LINE-UPS

LEWES (3-5-2): Whitehouse; Stobbs (Mushtaq 86), Cleverly (Howells 78), Barton; McKenna, Hazard, Wardlaw, Palmer (Dalton 65), Johnson (Weir 78); Mason, Kraft

Subs not used: Thompson, Copus-Brown, Rita, Longhurst, Moore Booked: Barton

UNITED (4-2-3-1): Earps; Batlle, Le Tissier, Turner, Thorisdottir (Mannion 64); Boe Rosa, Zelem; Garcia (Toone 45), Naalsund (Ladd 27), Thomas (Parris 65); Russo (Williams 86)

Subs not used: Baggaley, Tounkara, Cascarino, Leon Booked: Le Tissier

Referee: Stacey Fullicks Att: 2,801

Batlle – who was a constant threat down the right – celebrates United’s early opener with Russo and Thomas

Sun 12 March, 12.30pm, WSL

1 CHELSEA

Kerr 23 0 UNITED

United fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Chelsea in a top-of-the-table clash at Kingsmeadow, with Sam Kerr’s superb first-half strike settling a tight contest that would see the Blues leapfrog the Reds.

United started the first half encouragingly and looked particularly at home in the opening 10 minutes, where they threatened to find an early opener. Leah Galton crossed low from the left inside four minutes, and in-form forward Alessia Russo was just beaten to the ball by Chelsea defender Kadeisha Buchanan.

Despite United’s territorial edge, the home side had the first clear sight of goal. Kerr was quick to react to a loose ball in midfield and muscled her way through, where she shot straight at Mary Earps.

Kerr went through again three minutes later, courtesy of Jessie Fleming’s defence-splitting pass, but she was again kept at bay by another Earps stop.

It was a case of third time lucky for Kerr, who put Chelsea in front after 23 minutes. Lauren James’s curling long ball dropped into the right side of the box, matching the run of Kerr, who brought the ball calmly down on her chest and lobbed brilliantly over Earps.

United regrouped well and almost had a quick reply from Ella Toone, whose strike across goal was just wide, before penalty appeals from Ona Batlle and Nikita Parris were waved away after the half-hour mark.

Russo tested Ann-Katrin Berger for the first time 10 minutes before the interval, turning well to fire straight at the goalkeeper. Katie Zelem looked to have teed up Millie Turner to head on goal from her free-kick minutes later, but the defender couldn’t quite turn the ball towards the net, as we went in behind at half-time.

It was a similarly cagey start to the second half with the hosts again having the first effort on goal. Kerr was the target of a Millie Bright ball over the top, and the Australian opened up her body before shooting wide.

The Reds kept up the pressure, and Parris was unfortunate on the hour mark when her clever piece of skill to bring the ball down on the edge of the box only resulted in her shot being blocked.

Russo experienced similar frustration soon after, when she was found in the box by Toone’s pass, before Galton raced into space to shoot, but couldn’t wrap her foot around the ball to divert it back across goal.

Kerr continued to carry a threat, running from one side of the box to the other to unleash a shot that was blocked, and Earps was then quick to smother her heavy touch.

Martha Thomas and Rachel Williams were introduced for the Reds as we looked to stage a late rally, and the former saw a cross roll agonisingly in front of goal within moments of her arrival. Another change saw Aoife Mannion emerge from the bench for her first WSL appearance in a year. It saw United shift into a bold back three, with the full-backs pushing on – but unfortunately the visitors couldn’t create a late opening as Chelsea stood firm to see out the win.

LINE-UPS

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Berger; Perisset, Buchanan, Bright, Carter; Leupolz, Ingle; James (Rytting Kaneryd 61), Fleming (Eriksson 75), Charles Mjelde 90+1); Kerr

Subs not used: Musovic, Abdullina, Cankovic

Booked: Leupolz

UNITED (4-2-3-1): Earps; Batlle, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell; Ladd (Garcia 90), Zelem; Parris (Mannion 82), Toone (Williams 71), Galton (Thomas 71); Russo

Subs not used: Baggaley, Thorisdottir, Boe Risa, Naalsund, Cascarino

Le Tissier was kept busy by the always dangerous Kerr

Toone controls the ball well as the Blues seek an equaliser

Referee: Cheryl Foster Att: 3,277

Q&A GALTON #11 LEAH

How does it feel to be on the brink of joining Ella, Katie and Millie as a member of Manchester United Women’s ‘100 Club?’ It will be very special. I’ve never done this anywhere else in my career before –it’s something you don’t do very often, is it. It’s nice as well because it’s the ‘Originals’ that are hitting these marks now and it’s nice to be one of them.

Given all you’ve been through since the team was formed in May 2018, does it feel like a lifetime since you all came together for the first time, or has it flown by?

A bit of both. When I think about it being nearly five years, it’s ridiculous! I can’t even believe it has been that long because it doesn’t feel that long. But, at the same time, when I see the players every day I’m like, ‘yep, it’s definitely been five years!’ It’s been a long time seeing these faces every day. But it’s nice to have that bond and friendship with them; they’re a great group of people and I wouldn’t want it to be with anyone else.

Would you say there is a particularly special bond between the ‘Originals’, who have been part of the United Women journey since the start?

As much as maybe we’re not the closest on the team, you always know we have that connection. It’s a special feeling, especially when you see people coming in and out of the club, and you still see people that have been there since the beginning that are still there – it’s just nice and it reminds you that we’ve stuck it through and we’re here to make sure this team does as well as it can.

What are your memories now of game no.1, against Liverpool? What is the first thing that springs to mind?

I came on as a sub in that game, and I’ll always remember

AFTER 99 GAMES FOR THE REDS, OUR FLYING WINGER IS ALL SET TO JOIN A SELECT GROUP OF ‘ORIGINALS’ IN REACHING A CENTURY OF APPEARANCES. HERE LEAH SHARES HER UNITED JOURNEY SO FAR, AND THE SPECIAL BOND SHE HAS WITH HER TEAM-MATES...

Interview: Courtney Hill

FACTFILE

FULL NAME

Leah Danielle Galton

DATE OF BIRTH 24 May 1994

PLACE OF BIRTH

Harrogate, North Yorkshire

COLLEGE CAREER

Knaresborough Celtic, Harrogate Railway, Leeds United

SENIOR CAREER

2010-12 Leeds United (below), 38 games, 9 goals

2016-17 Sky Blue FC (New Jersey, USA), 30 games, 5 goals

2018 Bayern Munich, 2 games, 0 goals

2018- Manchester United, 99 games; 29 goals

INTERNATIONAL CAREER

England U15/U17/U19/U23 level

it because we scored with 10 minutes left and I assisted Alex Greenwood, who assisted the goal! That will forever remain a core memory because it was one of those moments that was just pure joy. We shouldn’t have beaten that team because we were in a lower division. It was one of those moments I’ll be telling my kids about one day!

Match no.3 was one to remember too, the 12-0 win at Aston Villa. Was that a moment when you realised we were potentially building something special as a team?

Even from the moment I joined, I don’t think it took that game [to realise that]. The moment I joined and saw the people on the team, and Casey as the coach, I knew this team was going to go far. Obviously looking back now, five years on, we’re now challenging for the title and Champions League spots, and we’re doing well in cups. It doesn’t shock me, but we’ve done well to get this far.

It took you a few months to get off the mark and score your first goal. Given how free-scoring the team had been, was there a sense of relief when the ball hit the net in that December 2018 Conti Cup match with Everton? Yeah, it did take me a while. I had taken a lot of time out before joining United and I had to get my mindset back

into playing, and playing competitively at a high standard, as well as getting my fitness back and confidence back, really. When you score your first goal as a forward it calms you down and takes a lot of pressure off. I didn’t look back from there, to be honest. I remember the last few games of the [’18/19] season I really enjoyed [Leah scored in three of our last five games] and I played well. So I knew I could crack on from there the season after.

Can you recall the feelings among the squad when United sealed that Championship title at the first time of asking? Was there a sense of satisfaction, or was it more that the hard work was only just beginning?

I think it was a bit of both. It was nice as I hadn’t won anything like that before. I’d been in America and didn’t win the league out there, then I’d been to Bayern, but just for a few months. So winning the first major trophy in my career was a really nice feeling. I remember the day, I remember winning it on our home pitch and celebrating it with the girls, and it’s another core memory that will be stuck in there forever. But it was also kind of like we should’ve won that; we were too good not to win the league that year. Yes, we still had to work hard for it, but it was also going to happen because it should happen.

Your first taste of the WSL came in that 2019/20 derby curtain-raiser away to Manchester City. Playing at the Etihad in front of a big crowd, that must have felt like the beginning of something once more… It was amazing, the biggest crowd I’d ever played in front of at the time [31,213]. I felt like I had a good game that day, and coming off the pitch I was thinking, ‘okay, we’re good, we can live up to this league’. Obviously playing in the league below you don’t really know how you’re going to stand against the biggest teams, but we went there and played well, and we probably should have come away with a result [United lost 1-0]. But it gave us a lot of confidence going forward.

You missed our first game at Old Trafford in March 2021, so how much of a buzz was it to run out of that tunnel for the first time 12 months later, particularly with fans in the stands for that one? You can’t compare anything to that, can you? Running out at Old Trafford in front of all those people screaming for

you. I’d never done that before either, so again that was a new memory for me. It was just a proud moment as well to have my family and my fiancée in the crowd and just going out there and doing what I love. It makes me realise how special and lucky it is to have the job we have. It’s just a blessing and a privilege to play at Old Trafford.

Tell us about the differences when playing at those senior stadiums in front of huge crowds... I love it. I don’t know what it does to me, but it just makes me want to put on a show and perform to my maximum potential – to annoy the crowd when we’re away, and to make them enjoy it when we’re at home [Laughs]. It gives me a bit of extra ‘oomf’, I think!

“RUNNING OUT AT OLD TRAFFORD... YOU CAN’T COMPARE ANYTHING TO THAT. IT’S A BLESSING AND A PRIVILEGE”

Left: appearance no.1, v Liverpool; and appearance no.99, v Chelsea

Above: Leah was too hot for Villa to handle on our last Old Trafford outing

Having said that, you must be so proud of the bond between the team and the fans at Leigh Sports Village. Do you think we have the best connection with the fans in the country? Yeah. You can’t knock our fans, they travel everywhere with us as well. At Chelsea [for our last WSL game], they gave our fans the smallest part of the stadium, but it was packed out, rows deep, and they stood the whole game. They do that because they love coming to watch us; unfortunately we couldn’t get the result for them that day.

Talking of Chelsea – you memorably scored the late equaliser in the 2020/21 season-opener against them. Talk us through that moment...

It was a good game actually. It was at Leigh, and I felt like we deserved something from that game. It was Jackie [Groenen] that assisted me – one of my best friends, who I was gutted to see leave – but again, it was nice, because

she used to play for Chelsea so to be able to put the ball in the back of the net against a team that didn’t want her at that time was the best feeling for her, and I was glad that she was the one that assisted me.

That season also saw our first league win over one of the division’s big guns when we beat Arsenal 1-0 at LSV in November 2020. Did that result give the team a real shot of confidence that you could compete with – and better – teams like Arsenal? Getting any result from ‘big guns’ at that point was great, and they were big guns then – we weren’t ready yet and we were kind of just developing and getting to the point where we wanted to be. So taking any points against those big teams was great, but this season we have more of a mentality that we need to be winning these games, because we are one of those big teams now. I like how that mentality has now shifted; it feels nice.

“AT FIRST WHEN MARC CAME IN, IT WAS DIFFERENT TO WHAT I’D BEEN DOING BEFORE. IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR ME, BUT WE HAD GOOD CONVERSATIONS AND I THINK NOW HE’S GETTING THE BEST OUT OF ME”

Appreciation for the travelling Reds on the second of two brilliant trips to north London so far this season (and hopefully not our last!)

How have your two United managers – Casey Stoney and Marc Skinner – contributed to your development at the club? Have they both helped shape different parts of your game?

Both massively. Casey was the one that got me back into football and got me back into enjoying it, because I wasn’t playing when she called me to come and join the United team. I wasn’t playing football at all, so I will always thank her for bringing me out of ‘retirement’, as they called it. She got me loving the game again; she had to give me some harsh words to make my mentality shift because I think for a while I wasn’t really connected. But I’ll always thank her for that, because she did what she needed to do to get the best out of me and I think if she didn’t do that, I wouldn’t be playing like I do today. But Marc as well – at first when Marc came in it was different to what I’d been doing before. It was difficult for me, but we had good conversations and I think now he’s getting the best out of me.

And could you pick out the team-mate who has provided the most support to you, and been the biggest influence, across your Reds career so far? That’s hard to answer because I’ve got a lot of team-mates that are either on loan, or who have left that were here for a long period of that time. But Kirsty Hanson is definitely someone who was there, and her and Jackie [Groenen] were definitely my people for the two or three years in the middle. Right now I think it’s definitely Maria [Thorisdottir] because we’re very close, and we can talk about a lot of things. So those three people, I’d say.

Is there one match within your 99 so far for Manchester United that stands out in terms of your performance and enjoyment?

There was one against Bristol [City] under Casey and we played at LSV and I scored twice [a 6-1 win in December 2020]. I remember it was just before my injury, and I scored two bangers... in my opinion!

You’re well on track to beat your best-ever season for goals, with seven so far in 2022/23. Where would those strikes against Bristol City stand on the list of your finest goals for the club?

To be honest, I don’t think I’ve scored better goals. For what they look like, looking back, definitely the one against Bristol in the first half. It was on the edge of the box, maybe a bit further out – it was a nice one, to be fair, and I do watch that goal back! But my best goal in terms of result... it’s more like when we went to Spurs recently, when we needed a goal and I scored. It wasn’t the greatest-looking goal, but it was a goal that put our team up on the day, so I’ll pick that one. ●

Above: winning monthly WSL awards with the boss; sharing one of many chats with good friend Maria

Below: her “banging” brace against Bristol City in December 2020 remains a personal highlight

A PARTNERSHIP BUILT ON TRUST.

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A comprehensive, science-based program to help deliver a cleaner and safer stadium and training grounds for their fans, visitors, players and staff.

Learn more about how Manchester United achieved the seal at cleanmatters.ecolab.com

KATIE ZELEM

FOLLOWING SOME ‘FA CUP MAGIC’

We’re all looking forward to playing at Old Trafford again, and it feels like we’ve come full circle, playing West Ham again – although it’ll be in very different circumstances to last time, with no fans here in 2021. We’ve matured greatly as a group since then, and having played – and won – twice more at Old Trafford since that game, we feel we’re starting to make it our fortress. We’re excited for the atmosphere, the pitch – everything is here for us to put in another winning display.

West Ham haven’t been in great form, but they’re a good side, and they’ll be looking to take inspiration from playing at Old Trafford, too. Kirsty Smith is someone we know well, of course, and she’s had a successful move there – she’s just one of those we’ll need to keep quiet in the wide positions.

As for the FA Cup, we’re just one game away from Wembley now, with a home draw in the semi-finals. It feels great to be through to the semis for the first time, but we really want to be pushing on further. It would mean world to me to lead the team out at Wembley. To create a piece of history like that would be incredible, but we won’t be getting

ahead of ourselves, as we have Brighton to get past first in our next home game, which is sure to be a massive occasion in front of our own fans.

The quarter-final down at Lewes really felt like it had that FA Cup magic – it was a sell-out with so many kids there, and to be able to hopefully inspire all those girls and boys was so nice, alongside the result, which we had to work hard for.

The weeks ahead are clearly going to be massive and we all want to achieve the same things – fans, players and staff. We know we have to put in the performances on the pitch, but if you could all see the hard work that goes in on a day-to-day basis from the players and staff, we’re certain you’d be proud of everything we’re trying to achieve at Manchester United. The Chelsea result wasn’t what we wanted, but I thought we gave a good account of ourselves – you could see that from the stats – but we were unable to create enough clear-cut chances, and Sam Kerr’s goal made the difference. Believe us when we say we’ll be giving everything today to get back to winning ways in the league.

IN LEWES, THE WSL IS TODAY’S FOCUS, AND ZEL INSISTS THE REDS HAVE GROWN SO MUCH SINCE WE LAST FACED WEST HAM IN M16

LONDON BALLING

WHETHER DOWN SOUTH, UP IN LEIGH OR HERE IN M16, THE REDS HAVE FACED EIGHT DIFFERENT CLUBS FROM THE CAPITAL. AHEAD OF GAME NO.42 AGAINST A LONDON SIDE, HERE’S OUR TOP 10 MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS AND FIXTURES SO FAR...

Words: Jamie Spencer

THE MAIDEN MEETING BETWEEN THIS AFTERNOON’S TEAMS WAS A RED-LETTER DAY FOR THOSE WEARING PINK, AND WHILE UNITED WERE FAVOURITES TO START OUR 2018/19 CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON WITH A VICTORY, NO-ONE COULD HAVE PREDICTED WHAT WAS ABOUT TO UNFOLD IN THE WEST MIDLANDS...

1 0 MARTHA’S MOMENT

28 April 2019, Millwall Lionesses (a)

With the second-tier title already in the bag, this was a routine 5-0 win for Casey Stoney’s side in south-east London, but with a heart-warming moment on 29 minutes after Martha Harris was tripped in the area. With our much-loved full-back having never scored in seven years as a senior player, and United already three-up, Katie Zelem handed the ball to her. As well as Harris, it was a nervous time for fan Benjamin Brazil, a furry-faced Red who travelled to games with a banner that read: ‘IF MARTHA SCORES... I’LL SHAVE MY BEARD’. “As I stepped up, I was thinking two things,” Martha would later reveal. “One was Casey’s reaction if I missed; the other was how close it was until summer, and no one wants a big beard in summer!” Thankfully, Martha calmly slotted the ball past Rhiannon Stewart and poor old Benjamin – in the away end – knew his fate. Cue the perfect photo opportunity at full-time, while Benjamin would be true to his word the next week. Four years on, Harris – now at Birmingham – still hasn’t scored another goal, but she’ll always have her Princes Park penalty.

24 March 2019, Charlton Athletic (a) 9 REPLAYING THE ADDICKS

This 2-1 win at Charlton was actually United’s lowest margin of victory throughout our Championship season – every other win was by at least two goals, and often four, five or even more – but we have it down as a red-letter day for two reasons: first, it took us back to the top after two months trailing Tottenham; but more importantly, it saw the replaying of a fixture that had been abandoned two months earlier in distressing circumstances. In the original January meeting, Addicks defender Charlotte Kerr suffered a serious rib injury after colliding with her own goalkeeper as United took a first-half lead through Charlie Devlin. With Kerr requiring urgent attention, United staff needed to provide oxygen on account of the home side not having any at their Oakwood home, despite it being a mandatory safety measure. Thankfully Kerr would

THE BEARDED FAN IN THE AWAY END KNEW HIS FATE!

THIS WAS A RED-LETTER DAY FOR TWO REASONS...

go on to make a full recovery, but after an hour delay, and with not enough oxygen left for the game to continue, it was called off – an indicator that even with the progress the women’s game was making in 2019, there was still a long way to go. When it was replayed, Katie Zelem’s penalty and a Jess Sigsworth header, both scored early in the second half, came before Kit Graham’s late consolation for the hosts.

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8 IN CASE YOU MIST IT...

19 January 2020, Tottenham Hotspur (h)

Nobody could have known it then, but when Spurs visited at the start of 2020 it would be the last time fans would witness a Reds win in the flesh here in Leigh for 20 months. The visit of Chelsea, scheduled for three weeks later, would fall victim to Storm Ciara, while our three other WSL games before Covid-19 struck were away from home (although we did lose twice at home in the cups during that spell). Spurs had been the team that got closest to us in our Championship season and we’d earlier won 3-0 at their place in the first top-flight meeting between the sides, in October 2019. That scoreline was repeated here, where conditions made for an interesting clash. The fog was rolling in by the time the game kicked off and visibility became increasingly worse, with fans behind the goal (along with Mary Earps, no doubt) squinting to see the ball when it was up the other end. With free-flowing football difficult, set pieces became crucial and Katie Zelem’s influence was felt enormously. She netted the first from the penalty spot, created one for Jess Sigsworth at a corner, then fired in a late free-kick.

7 MILLIE’S TON-DERFUL DAY

12 February 2023, Tottenham Hotspur (a)

Last month’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium marked the fourth time in less than three months in which United played at a Premier League venue in front of more than 20,000 people, and it was another occasion the Reds rose to, as United sought to get back to winning ways after a frustrating draw against Everton. Having already scored at both Old Trafford and the Etihad in December, Leah Galton was on target once again to open the scoring, before an own goal from Spurs’ Molly Bartrip decided a tense game that tested our resolve. The 2-1 win was also a special day for Millie Turner, who played her 100th game, joining Ella Toone and Katie Zelem as our centurions. “If you’re ever having a bad day, just look at Millie,” Skinner would later reflect on her return following injury and a career-threatening health scare.

“There is always a beautiful smile on her face, always high energy. She values life, fun and good conversation, so she’s a real great person to have in our environment.” There were certainly high-energy celebrations from Millie at full-time, as she threw herself into a packed, joyous away end.

THERE WERE HIGH-ENERGY CELEBRATIONS FROM MILLIE AS SHE THREW HERSELF INTO A PACKED, JOYOUS AWAY END

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A crowd of 1,836 squinted their way through a foggy 90 minutes!

Zelem makes no mistake from the spot

6 A CHAMPION FIGHTBACK

6 September 2020, Chelsea (h)

‘Gutsy’ would be a good a word to describe United’s display in this 1-1 draw against Emma Hayes’s Chelsea in the first game of 2020/21. Our debut top-flight term of 2019/20 had been a more than respectable one for Casey Stoney’s Reds, but it was clear there was work to do if we were to catch Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City, following 1-0 defeats to all three during that curtailed campaign. Going toe-to-toe with the champions and claiming a point was therefore a real show of intent for the months ahead. There were no fans at LSV due to Covid restrictions and the visiting Blues took a first-half lead through Sam Kerr. But while Chelsea had seen off City in the Community Shield a week earlier, United – with Ona Batlle debuting – refused to be beaten. Leah Galton hit the bar shortly before half-time before scoring a deserved equaliser 11 minutes from time when converting Jackie Groenen’s low cross. Even newly signed world-record buy Pernille Harder wasn’t the answer for Chelsea after Hayes brought her on seconds later, as Mary Earps stood strong to keep Chelsea out. For United, the draw would kick-start an unbeaten 10-game run in the WSL to begin 2020/21.

Left: Galton would grab the equaliser with just over 10 minutes remaining Below: the Ruthless Reds couldn’t stop scoring against the Bees four years ago

5 NINE GOALS, SIX SCORERS

6 January 2019, London Bees (h)

The Bees had been our first London opposition, just a few weeks into 2018/19 – the first of five wins by a 5-0 scoreline that season. Fast-forward to January, however, and the Bees were annihilated 9-0 at Leigh Sports Village. With six different scorers, it remains a club-record win at home, meriting its inclusion here, while it was the perfect way to bounce back from a surprise Championship defeat to Durham heading into the winter break. United broke the deadlock only two minutes in through Charlie Devlin and proceeded to run riot in the first half as Ella Toone, Lizzie Arnot and Mollie Green added three more before the break. Even four goals ahead, the Reds didn’t let the intensity drop in the second half, and Devlin and Toone each got a second. Lauren James then scored twice within 15 minutes of coming off the bench, before Katie Zelem confidently made it nine from the penalty spot on 78 minutes. A second double-figure win – following our 12-0 victory at Villa in September 2018 – couldn’t be secured in the closing stages, but no one among the 1,889 crowd was going home disappointed come full-time.

4 LESSI’S LATE SHOW

19 January 2022, Arsenal (a)

Yes, United beat Arsenal for the first time in 2020, when Ella Toone scored the game’s only goal in the WSL, but we really stepped it up the following season by knocking the Gunners out of the Conti Cup in their own backyard, to reach the semi-finals for the second time. Arsenal were top of the WSL at the time, making it even more of a statement result, and the timing of our winner, with just five minutes left, made it super-sweet. It was Alessia Russo, announcing herself to the country in a breakout season, who decided matters after coming off the bench, as her looping late header from Katie Zelem’s free-kick secured victory in what had been a tense encounter under the Borehamwood floodlights. The celebrations were wild, both on the pitch (right) as well as in the stands for the dedicated few who had made the long midweek journey. “We really locked on tonight,” said Lessi at full-time. “Not only did we believe we were always going to score, we also believed we were never going to concede.” Marc Skinner has often spoken about his side’s need to build up experience in coping with big moments, and his side handled this challenge superbly.

A STATEMENT RESULT AGAINST ARSENAL, THE TIMING OF OUR WINNER MADE IT SUPER-SWEET

3 MAIDEN VISIT TO M16

27 March 2021, West Ham United (h)

“Can you imagine this place full with a crowd?” manager Casey Stoney reflected straight after we’d played at Old Trafford for the first time. A historic occasion, no question, but ongoing Covid restrictions meant empty stands. West Ham were the visitors, as they are today, and it was a challenging WSL game of two halves for the Reds. “In the first half, I didn’t enjoy it,” was Stoney’s honest assessment. “But in the second half, it was much better.” The Reds initially struggled to break down the resilient Hammers (including Martha Thomas), while we were too slack at the back for the manager’s liking. But Lauren James scored the first Old Trafford goal just after half-time with a close-range header, before US star Christen Press made it 2-0 soon after. “The surface is unbelievable in terms of the players being able to move the ball around,” said Stoney post-match. “It’s great that we’re here, it’s a momentous occasion. For me, it should and will be just the start of many.” Two days short of two years on, we’re all set for game no.4 here, with six of our starters from 2021 hoping to be involved again today.

The teams walk out at a silent Old Trafford, and it was James who scored the opener (below)

2 ‘JOB DONE’ IN THE LSV SUN

20 April 2019, Crystal Palace (h)

After returning to the top of the Championship following the rescheduled Charlton game in March 2019, the rest of the season saw United stride confidently towards promotion and the second-tier title. A top-two finish and a place in the WSL was assured with a 5-0 win over Aston Villa on 17 April, and the title was confirmed three days later when Palace were taken apart 7-0 in Leigh – our eighth straight league win since Christmas. With silverware on the line, it was also the biggest crowd LSV had seen since November 2018 (2,112), and they didn’t have to wait long to

1 COMEBACK AT THE EMIRATES

19 November 2022, Arsenal (a)

“I actually think I invented dance moves when it went in!” laughed Marc Skinner after seeing Alessia Russo’s injury-time winner at the Emirates in November, on a momentous day as we pulled off a dramatic comeback to beat Arsenal 3-2. Ella Toone’s back-post finish opened the scoring before half-time, yet the Gunners turned it around through Frida Maanum and Laura Wienroither, and looked on course for a 15th straight WSL win with just five minutes left. Yet right in front of a packed away end within the 40,604 crowd, there would be frenzied celebrations like we’ve never seen before – first after Millie Turner’s in-off-the-bar header to level, and then from another Queen of Headers in Russo, as she nodded home from Zelem’s final set piece in stoppage time, on a day when the two-assist skipper was outstanding. A first WSL away win against one of the WSL’s established big three, it added to the Reds’ belief that we can beat the very best. But it was also the dramatic nature of the comeback when trailing late on, plus the magnificent travelling support housed in the

celebrate, as Lauren James fired a textbook finish into the top corner on nine minutes, and the 17-year-old would bag three more – all in the final seven minutes – on a glorious spring day. United were on a different level to Palace and Jess Sigsworth, who finished 2018/19 as our top scorer (18 in all competitions) also scored, as did Lizzie Arnot and Leah Galton. “Job done, won the league, fantastic,” Jess said afterwards. “It’s amazing to win it at home on a Saturday afternoon when the sun’s out.” Whatever the future brings, none of us will ever forget that first taste of success.

Emirates’ dedicated away section, that made it doubly special. “When I see all the players running to our fans when we scored that third goal [above]... that was the electrifying moment,” observed Skinner after the game. Even neutrals were blown away by the finale, with Chelsea boss Emma Hayes saying: “It’s probably the thing I’ve screamed for the most [in the women’s game] – seeing the United fans in their numbers, this is what has to happen going forward.” The way things are going for the Reds, and the growth of the women’s club game in general, we can hopefully look forward to many more scenes like this in the years ahead. ●

THE DRAMATIC COMEBACK, PLUS THE AWAY SUPPORT, MADE THIS DOUBLY SPECIAL

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The trophy would have to wait, but the celebrations could begin

THE SQUAD 2022/23

SOPHIE BAGGALEY

Born: 29 November 1996

Nationality: English

United apps/goals: 10/0

MARIA THORISDOTTIR

Born: 5 June 1993

Nationality: Norwegian

United apps/goals: 45/1

HANNAH BLUNDELL

Born: 25 May 1994

Nationality: English

United apps/goals: 49/2

MAYA LE TISSIER

Born: 18 April 2002

National team: England

United apps/goals: 22/2

MILLIE TURNER

Born: 7 July 1996

Nationality: English

United apps/goals: 104/6

MARY EARPS

Born: 7 March 1993

Nationality: English

United apps/goals: 87/0

ONA BATLLE

Born: 10 June 1999

Nationality: Spanish

United apps/goals: 68/3

AOIFE MANNION

Born: 24 September 1995

Nationality: English

United apps/goals: 22/0

JAYDE RIVIERE

Born: 22 January 2001

Nationality: Canadian

United apps/goals: 0/0

AISSATOU TOUNKARA

Born: 16 March 1995

Nationality: French

United apps/goals: 5/0

ESTELLE CASCARINO

Born: 5 February 1997

Nationality: French

United apps/goals: 2/0

VILDE BOE RISA

Born: 13 July 1995

Nationality: Norwegian United apps/goals: 41/6

HAYLEY LADD

Born: 6 October 1993

National team: Wales

United apps/goals: 79/7

ELLA TOONE

Born: 2 September 1999

Nationality: English

United apps/goals: 122/44

LEAH GALTON

Born: 24 May 1994

Nationality: English

United apps/goals: 99/29

ADRIANA LEON

Born: 2 October 1992

Nationality: Canadian

United apps/goals: 9/3

ALESSIA RUSSO

Born: 8 February 1999

Nationality: English

United apps/goals: 50/23

KATIE ZELEM

Born: 20 January 1996

Nationality: English

United apps/goals: 121/29

LISA NAALSUND

Born: 11 June 1995

Nationality: Norwegian

United apps/goals: 1/0

MARTHA THOMAS

Born: 31 May 1996

National team: Scotland

United apps/goals: 45/8

LUCIA GARCIA

Born: 14 July 1998

Nationality: Spanish

United apps/goals: 20/3

NIKITA PARRIS

Born: 10 March 1994

Nationality: English

United apps/goals: 20/7

RACHEL WILLIAMS

Born: 10 January 1988

Nationality: English

United apps/goals: 16/4

As

ACADEMY

LATEST NEWS FROM UNITED’S YOUTH RANKS, FROM U10-U21

◌ Impressive development

The Under-21s have had much to cheer in recent weeks, with five wins out of six, and 15 goals scored along the way. February ended with an exciting 3-2 victory against Brighton at the Reds’ Moss Lane home in Altrincham –Alyssa Aherne getting the first in the early stages, before Eleanor Ashton’s double, either side of half-time, proved enough for United, who have been led by coach Lewis Craig since Charlotte Healy moved into her new coaching role with the first team. Things were more straightforward three days later, when Bristol City were beaten 4-0 –again at Moss Lane – with Jessica Simpson smashing home a hat-trick and Zaiba Ishaque rounding off the goals. March began with a 2-0 loss at Leicester, but the Reds responded with three impressive away wins: first away to Liverpool by a 2-0 margin – Ashton bagging another double – prior to a 3-1 victory at Arsenal, where the in-form Ashton was again on the scoresheet, following a pair from Megan Sofield. Last weekend saw the Reds edge a 1-0 win away to Durham, with the teams set to meet three days ago, this time at Moss Lane. While player development will always be the priority at this level, the whole squad can take much encouragement from recent results and performances.

◌ RTC youngsters ready to step up

We’d like to congratulate the all Regional Talent Club players who are graduating from the U16s, having been offered places within the U21 set-up for next season. Well

done to Kacey Bolton-Woollam, Ruby Scott, Ruby Johnson, Zaiba Ishaque, Tamira Livingston, Anna Fletcher, Tilly McGovern, Amelia Oldroyd and Olivia Moulton. The staff also deserve great credit for providing a strong platform for the girls to develop, with everyone involved in the RTC immensely proud of how the club continues to produce homegrown talent, with many U16s already holding their own within the higher age group.

◌ Two finals in the April schedule

On the horizon for the U21s is the WSL Academy Cup final, against Chelsea on Sunday 23 April. The Reds beat Birmingham in 5-1 in the semi-finals, and will be looking to retain the trophy. The U16s also have their FA Youth Cup final on Saturday 22 April, when they’ll face Arsenal.

◌ England call-ups and guest speakers

Within the RTC, three Reds have been selected for the next England U15 camp, which will take place over Easter. Sienna Limbert, Jessica Nwachukwu and Millie Crook have all impressed this season, and are looking forward to their time away with the national team. At U14 level, women’s first-team coach Carl Green attended the RTC earlier this month, where he shared advice with the girls. Such ‘guest masterclass’ sessions provide real insight into the pathway between youth set-up and senior level.

◌ Juniors learn new skills

Off the field, all the U10, U11 and U12 players completed a ‘Mini Medics’ qualification in recent weeks. Mini Medics is a basic first-aid course designed for children between the ages of seven and 12, where they cover and learn a range of life-saving topics such as contacting the emergency services, CPR [resuscitation, how to use an AED [defibrillator], the recovery position and choking.

Five of our U15s were on duty for the last England camp, with three involved in the next one

The ‘Mini Medics’ picked up some vital skills in the classroom

CELEBRATING IWD

Foundation marks International Women’s Day with some empowering events, which the girls in attendance took plenty of inspiration

Providing opportunities and developing young girls is a core part of the Foundation’s community output, so with this year’s International Women’s Day being themed around ‘embracing equity’ it was the perfect opportunity to celebrate this.

On the day itself (8 March), two events were held – one at Old Trafford and one at Foundation partner school Great Academy Ashton – that showcased the ways in which the club’s associated charity inspires female participants. At Old Trafford, students from the Foundation’s network of primary and secondary schools attended a special ‘Girls Get Goals’ event. The girls had the chance to interact with female leaders from the Foundation, the club, and other industries including

representatives from adidas, the National Football Museum and Greater Manchester Police.

The girls then listened to United’s head of women’s football Polly Bancroft, who encouraged them to celebrate and encourage one another. She was joined by football commentator and radio presenter Helen Hardy. “Today is a great day to celebrate what wonderful women we have in our lives and, more specifically, an amazing opportunity to come together, support each other and hear one another’s stories,” said Polly. “International Women’s Day belongs to everyone – we all have women in our lives we can champion and support.”

Over at Great Academy Ashton, the school hosted a Lionesses-themed festival of football

for over 200 girls as part of the FA’s ‘Let Girls Play’ campaign, paying homage to the England team’s incredible success in last year’s Euros. “We centred the day around building leadership and teamwork skills,” Ryan Monk, school partnership officer, said. “We want our girls to take inspiration from the team that did so brilliantly last summer, and encourage them to play the game too and show that there are opportunities for them.”

Despite the chilly conditions, the youngsters were not deterred, with participant Sienna saying: “It was really fun! Sometimes girls might feel excluded from football but this makes us feel included and able to show our passion too.”

For more visit mufoundation.org

Bancroft offered advice to the youngsters at Old Trafford...

...while over at Great Academy Ashton, the girls learned some leadership skills

from...

TALKING ’BOUT MY INSPIRATION

AHEAD OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY EARLIER THIS MONTH, THESE FOUR REDS SHARED STORIES OF THE PEOPLE WHO HELPED STIR THEM TO SUCCEED...

Words and interviews: Charlie Ghagan, Zarah Connolly

This is a difficult one,” replies

Lisa Naalsund with a wry grin when we ask the Reds midfielder to name an important role model in her life. Much like her United team-mates, she naturally has family members and close friends who have helped guide and support her – both in a football sense since the day she first started playing, aged six, for her local team Tertnes, and away from sport while growing up in Norway’s second-largest city, Bergen. But chatting to us inside Old Trafford’s East Stand as part of United’s plans to mark International Women’s Day on 8 March – a day in which the world comes together to celebrate women and girls across the globe – Lisa singles out a fellow footballer... who just happens to play for one of our big Women’s Super League rivals.

“I’d have to say Maren Mjelde from Chelsea,” she smiles. “That’s because I played with her [at Toppserien side Arna-Bjornar] and I saw her take the next step to a bigger club – that’s when I realised it was a possibility.”

It was 2016 when her vastly experienced compatriot – who at 33 is six years older than Naalsund, flew over to London to join Emma Hayes’s Blues – and as some of you might remember, the 160-capped defender/midfielder scored the game’s only goal in our first-ever meeting with Chelsea, in 2019. “She made me believe it was possible to step up to a big club. It is important that when you are young, you can

dream and to see it’s not only the men who can achieve these goals.”

Speaking six weeks into her Reds career after arriving from Brann, Lisa has enjoyed getting to know her new team-mates and the club staff, and she’s certain that the strong women around her now will continue to inspire her every day. “There are big personalities and big players here,” she says, before acknowledging the role of today in motivating the next generation to go home and start kicking a football. “It’s so important to encourage people to be part of the women’s game so it can grow bigger, and everyone can dream to play in a stadium as big as this one.”

Right: a born leader, Mjelde leads Norway out v England at the Euros

Above right: Mjelde goes toe-to-toe with United’s Ona Battle in a 1-1 WSL draw in September 2020

“I SAW HER TAKE THE NEXT STEP TO A BIGGER CLUB... THAT’S WHEN I REALISED IT WAS A POSSIBILITY”

MJELDE TAKE THE NEXT

There are 4.36 million of us and we are tomorrow’s

We’re part of every community and come from all social backgrounds, cultures and religions with different skills and abilities. We’re an unstoppable force for good if we’re given the chance. The chance to play football.

We want to play in the school curriculum, at breaktime, after school, at local clubs wherever, whenever we want.

Much like Naalsund, when it comes to inspirational figures,

Alessia Russo is keen to praise those who have been there for her since before she even pulled on a pair of football boots. “I’ve been fortunate to have a super-supportive family, and I still do – they come to a lot of the games so I always look up to them,” she tells us.

While Russo might be referring to how she likes to pick out her loved ones in the stands, our humble striker certainly looks up to them in many other ways (even a Euros winner’s medal or FIFA Puskas Award nomination can’t change that) with her family helping her stay grounded.

In an elite sporting sense, however, Russo names another Lionesses striker as an inspiration – England’s second-highest goalscorer who also smashed in a century of goals en route to winning 15 trophies with Arsenal. “Growing up, Kelly Smith was a huge player in the game for me,” says Alessia, who was raised in Maidstone, Kent, where she began her path to pro football at Charlton’s centre of excellence. Indeed, Alessia took heart from a tweet sent by Kelly in 2012, when United’s 2022/23 top scorer was 11 years old: ‘Watch out for @alessiarusso7 she’s gonna be a top player for England one day’, it read. Talk about predicting the future!

A passionate follower of many sports, Alessia also looks to tennis legend Serena Williams as someone who’s helped her maintain the hunger for continued success and development. “We’re really fortunate now that women’s sport has been given a bigger platform,” says Lessi. “When I was growing up, although it was there, access to women’s sport was harder to find, but it’s really nice that we [WSL players] are on Sky, the big women’s tennis matches are all over TV. I love seeing women reach the top of their game – now we are in places where people can see us.”

“I LOVE SEEING WOMEN REACH THE TOP OF THEIR GAME –NOW WE ARE IN PLACES WHERE PEOPLE CAN SEE US”

The prolific Kelly takes aim at the 2012 Olympics – the same year in which she met, then tweeted about, Russo (below right)

Few in sporting history represent determination and resilience quite like Williams

When asked, “Who was your biggest inspiration growing up?” Nikita Parris is as quick with her response as she is sharp with her feet. “My mum,” she replies without hesitation, with a look of immense pride on her face.

“Single parent household, four children, and she still managed to get us everywhere we wanted to be –extracurricular I played football, my sister went to dancing, my two older brothers also played football – she was here, there and everywhere! It was hard going but she made sure all our dreams came true.”

Nikita’s mum, Jo, also worked three jobs to support the family at their home in Toxteth, Liverpool, with Jo’s livewire daughter wanting nothing more than to kick a ball about with the older kids – mostly lads, of course – while modelling her game on Thierry Henry, who was tearing up the Premier League at that time (even if United were taking most of the trophies back to Old Trafford). In the women’s game, it was prolific Scotland international Julie Fleeting who Nikita looked to emulate, even if opportunities to see her play were somewhat limited, even on TV.

Nikita also names her nan as someone who had an immense influence on her as a youngster. “Growing up my mum was hugely important in my life and so was my nan – two strong independent women who would hold down the fort, hold down the whole family,” says the 29-year-old. “They were always the backbone – it could be anything, from problems at school, problems in the street, problems in football, they always had the answers,” continues Nikita, before adding with a smile: “They always had comfort and words to say... even if they knew nothing about football!”

The support of Mum and Nan soon saw Nikita pluck up the courage

Above: on youth-team duty for England in 2010 – not long before she began to make a big impact with Everton; Fleeting was her female hero on the pitch

to progress from her local team, Kingsley United, to Everton at the age of 12, where she overcame her nerves to settle into her new surroundings, with her senior debut coming in 2010, aged 16. “They helped shape me as a player, but most importantly as a person,” says Nikita of her two inspirational family members, while these days she’s acting as a role model to the next generation. “I’ve a niece who is eight years old and I really want to show her there are no limits to what you can achieve,” she says. “As long as you put in the hard work, the graft, you can be anything you want to be.”

“IT COULD BE ANYTHING, FROM PROBLEMS AT SCHOOL, THE STREET, IN FOOTBALL... THEY ALWAYS HAD THE ANSWERS”

ew Reds defender Jayde

Riviere was born within 20 miles of Toronto in 2001, and when her Dominican father first got her into soccer and they went into the city to see the national side she would later win an Olympic gold medal representing, there was one player who inspired her more than any other – the commanding goalkeeper she felt an instant connection with.

“Karina LeBlanc is also from Dominica [like Jayde, Karina’s dad is from the Caribbean island country], and so we share the same roots,” says Riviere, who is eager to get started with the Reds having worked her way back from injury since her January arrival. “I thought it was really cool that someone with the same background, the same roots, the same culture as me could make it to the Canada national team. So when I was young I used to watch her play at BMO Field in Toronto, and we came with our Dominica flag and she waved at us, which was really cool!

“And then I got to play for the same team as her [Canada] so that’s a cool story to tell, but it was really awesome to know that someone of colour could make it that far.”

LeBlanc – now general manager of NWSL side Portland Thorns – would win 110 caps for Canada, with her playing career winding down just as Jayde was starting to make a name for herself. “It’s really important to have a role model, just to know you can see someone you want to be achieve something so great,” says Riviere. “She’s gone on to achieve

Top: BMO Field in Toronto, where Jayde first watched her hero play Above: a leader between the sticks, LeBlanc has continued to make an impact since retiring from playing

amazing things, even outside of soccer [last December, LeBlanc was appointed to the Order of Canada for her ‘use of soccer as a tool for social change’] and she’s definitely the reason why I wanted to play for Canada. And I can now see younger girls looking up to me. It’s really cool to see how the roles have changed – to see how I can have an impact too.” ●

“I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY COOL THAT SOMEONE WITH THE SAME BACKGROUND, ROOTS, CULTURE AS ME COULD MAKE IT TO THE CANADA TEAM”

WEST HAM UNITED

West Ham are firmly part of the WSL furniture these days, five years on from when they first entered the top flight. They haven’t left the division since, finishing a respectable seventh in their debut season, consolidating their top-flight status with eighth and ninth placings over the next two years, then leaping into the top half for the first time in 2021/22.

As such, the ambitious Hammers came into the current campaign among a group of clubs vying to get as close to the top four as possible. But while things started well, with three wins from their opening five WSL games (only losing to United and Chelsea in that run), Paul Konchesky’s team have won just two further league matches from the 10 they’ve played since. That’s resulted in Aston Villa and Everton pulling away from them, with the Hammers now heading up the bottom half, closer to the drop-zone than they are to fifth place.

Although they did well to frustrate Arsenal in a 0-0 draw in February, West Ham have now gone five WSL games without a win since beating Tottenham more than

Semi-finalists in the Conti Cup, and a penalty shoot-out away from reaching the FA Cup quarters, the visitors have found things harder in the WSL in recent weeks

three months ago. Defeats against Villa and Everton in 2023 are particularly sore given they are clubs they want to compete with, and a disappointed Konchesky rued missed chances and defensive errors against Villa last time out, suggesting that both goals conceded in the 2-1 loss (against the side that also eliminated them from the FA Cup) came from his team’s own mistakes.

The quality is certainly there, however, with a squad full of internationals – including Japan’s Honoka Hayashi and Risa Shimizu, as well as French duo Hawa Cissoko and Viviane Asseyi – but Konchesky called for a reset in the two weeks between the Villa defeat and arriving at Old Trafford, where he’ll be hoping his charges can regroup and thrive within the big-stadium setting.

They’ve been here before, of course, but with no fans and a very different squad – of those to feature in March 2021, only Grace Fisk, Dagny Brynjarsdottir, Hawa Cissoko and Maisy Barker remain. “It’s a big opportunity,” says forward Asseyi of the Hammers’ second trip to M16. “We have to make sure we give a good account of ourselves.”

THE HAMMERS’ TOP-HALF AMBITIONS HAVE TAKEN A HIT, BUT THEY KNOW OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS AT OLD TRAFFORD TODAY

MANAGER

PAUL KONCHESKY

The local lad has a lifetime link with West Ham after first joining their Academy as a boy. The left-back had two seasons with them as a player (famously scoring in the 2006 FA Cup final) and returned as a youth coach upon retiring in 2017. With the women’s team he was assistant to Olli Harder last season, before landing the top job in May 2022.

LAST FIVE GAMES

West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa (WSL, 12 Mar 2023)

Reading 2-1 West Ham (WSL, 5 Mar 2023)

West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa (lost on pens; FA Cup R5, 26 Feb 2023)

West Ham 0-7 Chelsea (Conti Cup s/f, 9 Feb 2023)

West Ham 0-0 Arsenal (above) (WSL, 5 Feb 2023)

KEY DETAILS

Founded: 1991 (as West Ham Ladies)

First WSL season: 2018/19 (as West Ham Women)

Best WSL season: sixth place, 2021/22

Best FA Cup season: runners-up, 2018/19

Best Continental (League) Cup season: semi-finals, 2022/23

PREVIOUSLY...

West Ham have shared in a significant part of our history as the opposition the first time we played at Old Trafford in March 2021. Despite the empty stands it was a historic occasion, with Lauren James and Christen Press scoring in a 2-0 win. Prior to that, our first meeting came in the Conti Cup quarters in January 2019. We were surging to promotion, while the top-tier Hammers were on their way to reaching that season’s FA Cup final. Casey Stoney’s Reds would prevail, though, courtesy of Kate Longhurst’s own goal, and one from Jess Sigsworth (above). Overall, we’ve won five of our seven meetings, most recently 2-0 at their place in the WSL in September, while the visitors will have fonder memories of their 3-2 win in December 2019, and the 1-1 draw last year – with last-gasp goals proving decisive in both fixtures.

“WE NEED TO GET BACK TO BASICS, AS A TEAM THAT’S HARD TO BEAT”

– MANAGER PAUL KONCHESKY

PLAYER-BY-PLAYER

PROFILES OF OUR VISITORS FROM EAST LONDON...

SOPHIE HILLYERD

#28 Age: 20

Nationality: English

Formerly a United Academy player, she made her senior debut with West Ham in October in the WSL after joining from Charlton.

RISA SHIMIZU

#3 Age: 26

Nationality: Japanese

The Japan full-back is noted for her physical fitness and stamina levels and has played every minute for her team in the WSL so far this season.

LUCY PARKER

#15 Age: 24

Nationality: English

Returned to England last summer after four years in the US college system, earning a first call-up to the Lionesses squad in October.

SHANNON COOKE

#21 Age: 23

Nationality: English

Former England U17/U19 player was signed in January after five college seasons at Louisiana State University.

HAWA CISSOKO

#23 Age: 25

Nationality: French

Highlighted by Marc Skinner as a player who is particularly good at defending one-v-one situations. Part of France’s Euro 2022 squad.

MACKENZIE ARNOLD

#1 Age: 29

Nationality: Australian

An international since 2012, she was part of the Australia squad that knocked Great Britain out of the 2020 Olympics.

KIRSTY SMITH

#2 Age: 29

Nationality: Scottish

Well known to United fans after four years and 58 games with the Reds. She initially came through the youth system at Hibernian.

AMBER TYSIAK

#5 Age: 23

Nationality: Belgian

Made one appearance for Belgium at Euro 2022 and was an unused sub for their quarter-final defeat to Sweden at Leigh Sports Village.

ANOUK DENTON

#18 Age: 19

Nationality: English

Loaned to West Ham from Arsenal in 2021, she re-joined the Hammers in January this year after a spell at University of Louisville.

GRACE FISK

#22 Age: 25

Nationality: English

Made her senior debut for Millwall Lionesses aged just 16, before spell in US. Scored a late leveller against United last season.

ABBEY-LEIGH STRINGER

#4 Age: 27

Nationality: English

Played under Marc Skinner at Birmingham and appeared as a substitute in the 2017 FA Cup final. Signed from Everton in July 2021.

Profiles Jamie Spencer

EMMA SNERLE

#8 Age: 22

Nationality: Danish

Won two Danish league titles with Fortuna Hjorring and has played Champions League football against Lyon and Barcelona.

KATE LONGHURST

#12 Age: 33

Nationality: English

A two-time WSL champion with Liverpool but a lifelong West Ham fan. Joined the club when they entered the top flight in 2018.

MELISA FILIS

#17 Age: 20

Nationality: English

Impressively played first-team football for Arsenal aged 16 and scored a hat-trick for the Gunners in the Conti Cup a year later.

HALLE HOUSSEIN

#33 Age: 18

Nationality: English

Made the permanent move across from Arsenal in 2022 after initially joining West Ham on dual registration terms earlier that year.

LISA EVANS

#7 Age: 30

Nationality: Scottish

Spent five years in Germany with Turbine Potsdam and Bayern Munich, before moving to Arsenal and winning the WSL in 2018/19.

AMALIE THESTRUP

#14 Age: 28

Nationality: Danish

Currently on loan from PSV Eindhoven, she’s started two of the club’s last three WSL games since her January arrival.

DAGNY BRYNJARSDOTTIR

#10 Age: 31

Nationality: Icelandic

The towering midfielder, known for her ability to chip in with goals, joined in 2021 and was named captain at the start of this season.

JESSICA ZIU

#16 Age: 20

Nationality: Irish

Swapped Dublin side Shelbourne for West Ham in March 2022. Currently recovering from an ACL injury suffered in October.

HONOKA HAYASHI

#19 Age: 24

Nationality: Japanese

Arrived from Sweden’s AIK last year, she’s able to play in tight areas and epitomises the technical style often associated with Japanese football.

KEIRA FLANNERY

#41 Age: 17

Nationality: English

The youngest member of the West Ham squad joined from Arsenal last July and wears no.41 because she idolises Declan Rice.

IZZY ATKINSON

#11 Age: 21

Nationality: Irish

Joined the Hammers in July after leaving Celtic, where her last act was to score the winning goal in the Scottish Cup final.

VIVIANE ASSEYI

#26 Age: 29

Nationality: French

Six goals and three assists in the WSL this season make the ex-Bayern Munich and Bordeaux striker West Ham’s main attacking threat.

FACTS AND FUNNIES WITH THE UNITED MASCOT

NAME

WITH RUSSO PLAYING HER 50TH GAME LAST WEEKEND, AND BLUNDELL ON 49 AHEAD OF TODAY, WE SALUTE THE HALF-CENTURIONS H A

DROPPING!

annah joined us on 23 July 2021 from Chelsea, where she’d been since 2013. t Chelsea she won the WSL title four times – in 2015, 2018, 2020 and 2021. umber of WSL games Hannah’s missed since signing? One, out of 37 (v Villa in Dec 2021). ot known for her goals, Hannah loves an assist – only Toone got more for us last term. ttacking, fast-paced, athletic’ is how she would describe herself in three (or is that four?) words. annah’ is a name that reads the same backwards – that’s called a ‘palindrome’.

A L

N E

N S

A S

H I A

lessia signed on 10 September 2020, so she’s taken a bit longer to reach her 50! essi’ is her nickname – a play on her name and ‘Messi’, who is also quite good at football! uro 2022 is Lessi’s career highlight, where she scored four goals as England won it. he scored her first United hat-trick this month – the first Red to get a WSL treble. he’s of Sicilian descent, so has a cool Italian name (Dad Mario was a baller, too!) f you haven’t seen her famous backheel, look it up (but we love her headers best).

lessia’ backwards is ‘Aissela’ – that’s called... hang on, that’s not quite a palindrome, is it!

FRED’S FAN PHOTOS

OUR PHOTOGRAPHERS HAD PLENTY OF FUN BEFORE OUR LAST HOME FIXTURE

Oh, holding the world’s greatest programme makes me so happy!

THE QUIZ

Any chance you can make your huge head a bit smaller, Fred?

Well, Mum did tell me it was going to be cold out today...

What’s

your level of United knowledge? Let’s find out...

BEGINNER

1. True or false: this year’s Women’s FA Cup final will be played at Wembley Stadium? →

2. True or false: West Ham are the only side we’ve faced in a competitive game whose name begins with ‘W’?

3. Name the only side to have scored against United Women here at Old Trafford?

ADVANCED

1. We’ve scored 10 goals in three previous games at Old Trafford – which player has scored the most?

2. And of our 10 Old Trafford goals, at which end have we scored more: the East Stand or the Stretford End?

3. Against which side did Kirsty Smith score her only United goal against? →

EXPERT

1. Against which side have we recorded our lowest WSL attendance so far this season (1,752)?

← 2. Which midfielder made her Reds debut away to West Ham last season (16 March 2022), coming on as a substitute for Vilde Boe Risa?

3. There are five teams we’ve faced in league fixtures – WSL or Championship – that have never scored against us in such games. Name all five. (Clue: three are London sides).

Alessia Russo (3)

Stretford End, 3. Leicester; EXPERT: 1. Walton Hall Park (Everton), 2. Jade Moore,

3. Crystal Palace, Lewes, London Bees, Millwall Lionesses, Sheffield United

WE ALL FOLLOW UNITED!

VIEWS, PHOTOS AND MESSAGES FROM YOU DEDICATED FANS AS SKINNER’S REDS GET SET FOR ANOTHER WSL TEST IN M16...

Home-and-away Red Charlie Connor will be back in the safe-standing area today – just the latest exciting episode of what’s been a positive campaign...

Tell us about your background supporting United…

I’ve been a fan of the men’s team for as long as I can remember, so there was lots of excitement when it was announced the women’s team was reforming. We live in Leicestershire now, and we’re home and away, so it’s lots of travel, but I don’t mind, because I love it!

How do you judge our season so far?

It’s obvious to me that the team are on an upward trajectory. We’re 10 points better off than we were at this stage last season, and it feels like a matter of time before Marc and the squad get their hands on a trophy or Champions League football. The signings show a lot of promise and forward-planning, with good young players coming in like Maya and Lucia. Tying players like Tooney down is massive, and shows real intent to build something long-term. As a fan, maybe you feel success should come overnight, but it’s got to be sustainable, organic. For us to be where we are, after such a short period, shows massive progress.

The recent Chelsea defeat was a blow, but there’s still so much to play for…

We were on the end of some unfortunate decisions, and a great Sam Kerr goal, but these things happen. If we’d walked away going, ‘It was only 1-0’, that would worry me more. I’m glad the players and Marc said: ‘No, we want to be winning these games.’ That, in itself, shows progression.

Who has impressed you most this season?

Probably Mary Earps. She’s such an authoritative presence; I don’t think she’s made one mistake this year. She’s been absolutely colossal, and probably quite intimidating for opposition players, because you just feel like we’re very rarely going to concede. Her distribution, coming to claim things... she’s

“We’ve made massive progress”

Leicestershire-based Charlie travels all over the country in her lovely United hat!

Interview Joe Ganley

so commanding. Leah Galton often goes under the radar – not for fans, but in the media. She’s so consistent. I’d say the whole back line, really. Hannah [Blundell] is having a blinder, too.

How does it feel to be back at Old Trafford?

It’s always exciting and good for the women to play in these sorts of stadiums in front of big numbers. The atmosphere is different compared to LSV, which is more of a cauldron, but the experience of Old Trafford is important, particularly with the hope of getting Champions League football. Games across Europe are often played in the bigger stadiums, so any experience our girls get can only benefit us. It’s nice to get more attention too, and it would be nice to beat the 30,000 or so we had last time.

The MUW supporters’ club were in the safe-standing section last time – how was that?

I love the chanting and getting involved, so I’ll be there again. The atmosphere that United Women fans bring, home and away, I think the players appreciate it and it’s something that helps. Lots of teams aren’t used to that sort of atmosphere, so it gives us an advantage.

We’ve also seen more away ends at opposition grounds, and some big United followings. How important is that development for the WSL?

It’s no surprise that clubs often break their attendance record when they’re playing us, because we bring so many fans – even when we went to Sunderland, and Durham. For me, away ends are a must. The Emirates game would always have been one we’d never forget, but having that away end of 2-3,000 absolutely full, chock-a, just made it 10 times better. When Russo scored the players had earned that level of celebration; that complete outburst and release of joy and noise. We were in that ground for 30-45 minutes afterwards, just singing. I know there are fears about changing the atmosphere at women’s football, but sometimes, change is a good thing.

What do you make of the government’s pledge to provide girls with equal access to football?

It’s a good thing; we’ve just got to make sure it’s delivered properly. We need to get out of the dark ages of girls just playing hockey and boys playing football and rugby. I’m a secondary school teacher and my husband is head of PE, and the demand is there. There are tons of girls [who want to play].

Almost too many to manage! We just need to make sure that people are accountable for it now. My little girl, Evie, is five, and I love hearing her say: ‘Mummy, you be Mary and I’ll be Tooney.’ That just wouldn’t have happened a few years ago. It’s brilliant.

What would you say to people who are possibly attending their first United Women’s game today?

I dare anyone to come to LSV and not be sucked in by the atmosphere, by the team, by the expansive way they play. When the women’s team score a late winner, you get those same feelings of absolute joy you get when Marcus Rashford does. Because it’s Manchester United. I’m really proud of our team, and it would be really nice for people to come and get involved and sell out LSV every week. That would be amazing.

Visit muwsc.co.uk for more from the supporters’ club

With her family outside Old Trafford

Getting stuck in with the MUWSC crowd (and Millie)

“I DARE ANYONE TO COME TO LSV AND NOT BE SUCKED IN BY THE ATMOSPHERE AND EXPANSIVE FOOTBALL”

RED ARMY!

↑ Happy 13th birthday, Aaliyah! Have a fantastic day and enjoy the game – love from Grandma, Grandad, Aunty Bry, Adam, Addison and Kelise.

← Happy 75th birthday to Roger! ‘Hope you have the best day at your favourite place –thank you for everything you do. Lots of love from The Gang!’

↑ A big hello to Grace Rodway and Penny Rowling, who love having a kickabout with Aoife and who’ll be in the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand today cheering on the mighty Reds.

↑ Charlie is super thrilled to be coming to his second United Women match at Old Trafford. He’s here with his mum and dad.

↑ A very happy 20th birthday to Liv. ‘Have an amazing day’, says your dad. They are both pictured here, along with the birthday girl’s sister, Madison.

← Here’s another birthday girl, Olivia. Mom, Dad, Nath and Thomas all hope you have a top day and get to celebrate three points for United –and so do we.

↑ Here’s Winnie Frewer (being pointed at!) looking delighted to meet her hero. Today Winnie can watch her team from her mum’s regular Old Trafford seat.

← Here are some big smiles from Isla and Finlay McKeever – and no wonder, as both have a birthday to celebrate: Isla is turning 11, while Finlay is seven. All the best to you both.

← Elliot (7) and Emmeline (5) are at their first United Women game. Dad Pat, Mum Geri and the kids’ Nana (pictured, a lifelong Red!) will also be here. What a family day out that is!

↑ Esmae Hancock is turning eight, and she’s been coming to watch United Women since our first season! Her favourite players are Mary Earps and Ella Toone –she’s pictured with her Tooney top from 2019/20.

← Katie Willoughby is so excited to be at her first game, with dad Steve. They are over from County Meath, Ireland and her no.1 player is Mary Earps. Katie’s also a big fan of new Republic of Ireland international Aoife Mannion.

↑ Orla Twomey – seen with her gerbil, named Russo – turned 10 on 18 March. She’s an MUW season ticket holder (Orla, that is, not Russo!)

↑ ‘Happy 18th birthday, Harley – we’re so proud of you, love Mum and Dad.’

↓ Imogen Kirkland and her family will be in the International Suite, to mark her 13th birthday in style.

← A double thumbs-up for Erin, who is turning nine. She plays for Barnsley’s U9 team and last season scored... wait for it... 77 goals in 13 games! Incredible stuff.

← ‘Happy birthday, Dad. Lots of love, Ava and Maisie’

→ Hannah Lincoln – pictured here with Aoife – is 13 today and will be in an executive box as a treat. Nice!

TODAY’S MASCOT

Name: Lilli-Rose

Age: 11

Favourite player: Ella Toone

↑ Ciara is celebrating her 12th birthday is a bit early this weekend (her big day is on Wednesday) – she’s a goalkeeper and a striker for Haslingden Thunders.

← We hope you have a great time leading the Reds out, Lilli-Rose!

● Massive happy 70th birthday to Alison. We hope you enjoy your special day at Old Trafford with Clare and Dave.

● Happy ninth birthday, Alyssia Tonks! Love Mum, Dad, Finlay and Luke ● A big happy birthday to Jen, from Louise.

● Grace Grainger, 13, is a striker just like Alessia Russo, and she just wants to say: ‘thanks for being amazing, Lessi’.

● Happy 26th birthday, Harry/Daddy – hope you have the best weekend, we love you! From, Sam, Riley and Jake.

GOALS. APPS. TABLES.

↓ WSL TABLE, 2022/23

↓ WSL TOP SCORERS, 2022/23 ↓

ASSISTS, 2022/23

↓ WSL

FIXTURES & RESULTS

KEY: WSL – Women’s Super League CC – Continental League Cup

– Women’s FA Cup Scorers Bold + own goal

FOLLOW THE REDS:

REDS ON

YEAR & LOCATION

1976, OLD TRAFFORD

Our men’s team endured a turbulent time throughout the 1970s but the crowds still flocked to M16 as the Reds secured promotion in 1975, with FA Cup runs all the way to Wembley following in 1976 and 1977.

While the Old Trafford fan base was overwhelmingly male at the time, women were an important part of the support, with plenty coming through the turnstiles every other Saturday. Whether women or men, girls or boys, you wouldn’t see many folk in replica shirts, with bar scarves, pin badges and home-made attire a more common sight.

As one matchgoer from that era, Sue McGranaghan, tells us: “I don’t ever remember thinking, ‘oh, there’s not a lot of girls here’, but we were very much outnumbered.” Sue admits she sometimes had to “drag friends” along from her Salford home, but it was always worth the effort – even if she and her pals would hear the occasional comment inside the ground. “People would say, ‘Oh, you like football? How can you like football?’ It was very much a man’s game and people were like, ‘What are you doing here?’”

Five decades on, you only need to take a glance around the stands today to see how much things have changed...

Two female Reds on matchday at the east side of the stadium, close to where the Munich Tunnel now stands Below: pre-match hot dogs, and flares everywhere!

WEST HAM UNITED WOMEN MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN

Kirsty Smith

Risa Shimizu

Abbey-Leigh Stringer

Amber Tysiak

Lisa Evans

Emma Snerle

Dagny Brynjarsdottir

Izzy Atkinson

Kate Longhurst

Amalie Thestrup

Lucy Parker

Jessica Ziu

Melisa Filis

Anouk Denton

Honoka Hayashi

Shannon Cooke

Grace Fisk

Hawa Cissoko

Viviane Asseyi

Maisy Barker

Sophie Hillyerd (GK)

Halle Houssein

Keira Flannery

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee Emily Heaslip • Assistants Melissa Burgin, Georgia Ball Fourth official Amy Fearn

Ona Batlle

Head coach: Marc Skinner

Mackenzie Arnold (GK)

Manager: Paul Konchesky