Manchester United Women v Brighton & Hove Albion Women match programme League Cup 15.01.20

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OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 2019/20 SEASON • VOLUME 02 ISSUE 09

FA WOMEN’S CONTINENTAL LEAGUE CUP QUARTER-FINAL WED 15 JAN 2020, 7.30 pm

09/01/2020 21:15

CONTENTS

WELCOME It’s a huge couple of weeks in the two cup competitions here at Leigh Sports Village, and we trust you’ll be here to cheer on every last kick from Casey Stoney’s Reds!

A week on Sunday will see Manchester City back in town for derby no.3 of the season in the FA Cup (see p13). But first, it’s all about Brighton in the Continental League Cup, with a spot in the last four at stake tonight.

Turn to p30 to read the latest on Hope Powell’s Seagulls, who started the new year with a win and a clean sheet.

United, meanwhile, will be hoping for better fortunes in front of goal at home following the disappointment of losing our last game here at LSV (right and p7).

Forward Ella Toone is the 2019/20 League Cup’s top scorer, with six goals in four games, making the Tyldesley-born striker the perfect choice for tonight’s big interview (p20). We hope you enjoy the programme... and the game!

p4

Casey Stoney column

p7

Since last time

MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB Co-chairmen Joel Glazer, Avram Glazer Directors Bryan Glazer, Kevin Glazer, Edward Glazer, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, Ed Woodward, Richard Arnold, Michael Edelson, Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill CBE

p11 Katie Zelem column

Secretary Rebecca Britain

p13 News

Martin Edwards

Honorary president

p15 Fred’s fan zone/gallery p20 Ella Toone interview p27 Siobhan Chamberlain p30 Today’s opposition

PROGRAMME TEAM Editor Charlie Ghagan Editor-in-chief Ian McLeish Contributors

p33 Player and team statistics

Sean Mullan, Adam Bath Design Anthony Moore Photography Ash Donelon, Siobhan Chamberlain, John & Matt Peters, Getty, PA Thanks to Haylee Howe, John Allen, John Shiel / MuPrint.com, © Manchester United 2020

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HEAD COACH

CASEY STONEY THE HEAD COACH’S COLUMN

It’s time to turn our focus away from the WSL as we aim to continue our winning run in the Continental League Cup by reaching another semi-final...

Good evening. I’m writing this before the Liverpool game and, I must be honest – our first match of the new year, against Bristol City, was a complete disappointment. It was three points we should not be dropping but, off the back of it, we’ve learnt a lot.

We need to make sure we are consistently performing on a week-to-week basis. Even though we weren’t at our best against Bristol City, we still created enough chances to win. There’s been a lot of self-reflection from myself and the team, and we’ll work hard to be better.

The FA Cup draw paired us with Manchester City and it’s a fantastic opportunity for us to play a good side. We know it’s a difficult tie and they’re very strong. But if you’re going to win trophies, you’ve got to beat the best teams.

We’ve done that at home before, so we’ll welcome them back and hopefully put ourselves in the hat for round five.

For now, we focus on Brighton in the Continental Cup. They’re a well-organised team and have a good coach in Hope Powell. I watched their 1-1 draw against Reading before Christmas and they were unlucky not to

win, against tough opponents. They’ve got threats going forward and good players in their ranks, so we’re going to have to make sure we’re defensively sound.

Lea Le Garrec is a technician and makes them tick.

Kayleigh Green is tenacious, a good runner. She can cause us problems if we don’t look after her. But we also know we’ve got very capable players in our dressing room, too. We beat them in the league and that certainly gives us confidence. So we’ll have to make sure we prepare well, get our mentality right and put in a very good performance. If we don’t get our plan and our standards right, it’s a fixture we can come unstuck in.

Cup competitions are important. They’re knockout ties so it’s a different type of experience for the players.

We want to reach the semi-finals and we know it’s a game that, on our day, if we play really well, we’re capable of winning.

Hopefully, we’ll all be celebrating afterwards.

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HEAD COACH

“THERE’S BEEN A LOT OF SELF-REFLECTION FROM MYSELF AND THE TEAM. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CONSISTENTLY PERFORMING ON A WEEK-TO-WEEK BASIS”

Y

.

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SINCE LAST TIME

MATCH CENTRE

• Visiting Vixens stun hosts as Salmon fires in winner • Keeper Baggaley shines to deny Reds an equaliser

Hanson tries to force her way through during the first half of the WSL game

Salmon and the Vixens celebrate the goal

KEY STATISTICS ⊲

MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN 0 BRISTOL CITY WOMEN 1 SUNDAY 5 JANUARY, LEIGH SPORTS VILLAGE (WSL) Scorer: Salmon (34) Attendance: 2,021 Referee: Lucy Oliver United line-up: Earps; A Turner, McManus, M Turner, Harris; Groenen, Ladd, Zelem (Toone 71); Hanson (Arnot 45), James (Sigsworth 60), Galton.

Subs not used: Ramsey, Okvist, Smith, Ross

* Match report for Sunday’s WSL game against Liverpool will appear in this weekend’s Tottenham programme

Groenen fires the ball into the danger zone

United Women began 2020 with a narrow defeat, as Bristol City Women emerged 1-0 victors on a disappointing day here at Leigh Sports Village in the Women’s Super League.

Former Reds forward Ebony Salmon gave the Vixens a first-half lead, as she drove her way into the penalty area and finished confidently, but after that it was all United, as Millie Turner had a goalbound effort cleared off the line (see centre spread), while Lizzie Arnot and Ella Toone both hit the woodwork as the visitors held on for their first WSL win of the season.

After a winter break of just over three weeks, Casey Stoney marked the start of a new calendar year by making one change to the starting XI that had beaten Everton in our final league fixture before Christmas, with Kirsty Hanson coming in for Jess Sigsworth.

It may have not been the lightning-quick start that fans have become accustomed to in recent times, with United scoring inside the first five minutes in our last three matches in all competitions, but Stoney’s side were on the front foot early on. Lauren James’s early cross from the left was cleared to Leah Galton, and the winger’s first-time effort from close range had to be cleared behind by the Vixens’ backline. ⊲ Manchester United Women v Brighton & Hove Albion Women 07

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SINCE LAST TIME

“NOT THE WAY WE WANTED TO START 2020. WE MUST, AND WILL, IMPROVE.” – LAUREN JAMES ON TWITTER

Manager Stoney speaks to her team out on the pitch at full-time

THE BIG NUMBERS

21

8

Shots attempted by United (three shots for Bristol City)

Shots on target by United (two shots on target for Bristol City)

9

42

Corners for United (two corners for Bristol City)

Possession for United (58 per cent possession for Bristol City)

James instigated a number of attacks in the opening exchanges, including putting Galton through on goal.

However, Robins keeper Sophie Baggaley was quickly off her line to beat the winger to the ball. James then had a crack at goal herself from the edge of the area, which forced a relatively routine save from Baggaley.

The Robins went in front with just over 10 minutes to play in the first half. Salmon received possession on the left, raced into the penalty area, and neatly dispatched the ball past Earps into the back of the United net.

This setback sparked the Reds into life, and United came within inches of drawing level before the interval.

First, a scramble in the penalty area saw the ball fall to Hayley Ladd, whose powerful strike from range was nearly rewarded with her first WSL goal for United.

And in first-half stoppage-time, Katie Zelem’s corner from the left wasn’t dealt with by Baggaley, and Millie Turner’s effort on the follow-up was headed off the line.

Now that the visitors had a lead to protect, Tanya Oxtoby’s side rarely ventured out of their own half after the break, but they did have one opportunity to double their lead, with Salmon at the heart of it all once again as her shot from an acute angle hit the side netting.

The Reds had loud appeals for a penalty waved away by the referee, as a Toone corner from the left appeared to strike the hand of a Bristol City player, but despite appeals from the United team, fans and coaching staff, the officials weren’t convinced.

As the game entered the closing stages, United upped the ante, and came within a whisker of drawing level. Jackie Groenen worked her way into a crowded penalty area, and the Dutch international’s saved effort fell to Arnot. The Scottish winger lashed at the ball to make sure it would cross the line, but in doing so, diverted the ball on to the crossbar.

With time running out, the Vixens’ goal continued to live an extremely charmed life. Groenen lifted a brilliantly weighted ball to Toone, who had made a run into the box, but the ball struck the post and was cleared from danger, which got the fortunate visitors over the line to secure the three points.

08 Manchester United Women v Brighton & Hove Albion Women

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Change “I want it” to “Can I afford it?”

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FAPlayer.tv *BT Sport games will have audio commentary only on The FA Player in the UK.

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CAPTAIN

KATIE ZELEM THE CAPTAIN’S COLUMN

The skipper knows that anything can happen in a knockout tie, meaning our recent WSL win against the Seagulls will count for nothing come kick-off...

Obviously, Bristol City wasn’t the result we were looking for in our last home game here in Leigh. We wanted three points, and we all expect better of ourselves, and of each other.

We went over the performance closely ahead of Sunday’s away game against Liverpool and it was a good lesson for us, to see what we need. Sometimes, football works in mysterious ways and we’ve got a quick turnaround with fixtures now. We’ve had a little bit of a difficult spell with results we wouldn’t have wanted. Now, we’ve got the chance to turn it around. We’ve got to play everyone again

“THE CUPS ARE A HUGE FOCUS FOR US, BUT IT’S WINNER TAKES ALL. IT ALL DEPENDS WHAT HAPPENS ON THE DAY”

in the league, including the top three. That’s our chance to set our marker down and show everyone what we’re about.

The Continental Cup is very important for us. It’s our first year in the WSL so to say we wanted to win the league, or reach the Champions League, would be difficult.

We’ve got quite a young squad and we know we’ve got things to work on. But when it comes to the cups, it’s winner takes all. It all depends what happens on the day. For us, the cups are a huge focus and we want to go into tonight’s game giving everything.

Brighton are a very organised team. They’re solid at the back and able to score goals. There’s not much time between matches but we’ll all work hard to make sure our game plan is right. We may have beaten them in November, but cup and league fixtures are completely different. At this level, all opponents are strong. Anything can happen in a knockout tie and we need to set it aside as a new game.

We’re at the point where it really matters!

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DO WNLOAD THE ADIDAS APP NO W © 2019 adi das AG 2019 adi das AG

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29/07/2019 15:

AND AFTER!

NEWS

NEWS ROUND-UP

CITY AWAIT IN CUP DERBY Fourth round brings Blues back to Leigh next Sunday United have been drawn at home against holders Manchester City in the Women’s FA Cup fourth round, with the tie to take place next weekend (check ManUtd.com/fixtures for confirmation of date and kick-off).

With United having already faced the Blues – who are set to lose long-standing boss Nick Cushing next month when he takes up the post of assistant manager of New York City’s men’s team – in the Continental League Cup group stages (the Reds winning 2-0) as well as our inaugural WSL fixture (City winning 1-0 at the Etihad), it’ll be the third competition in which

we’ve gone up against our local rivals in 2019/20.

This stage of the competition sees the 23 WSL and Championship teams enter the draw, along with the winners of the nine third-round ties from the lower divisions.

The pick of the ties involving the five fourth-tier clubs sees Barnsley head to top-flight Tottenham.

The lowest-ranked sides remaining, Billericay Town and Actonians, saw their third-round meeting postponed but the winner of their re-arranged game will travel to second-tier

United reached the quarter-final stage last season before exiting the competition away at Reading

CONTINENTAL LEAGUE CUP FORMAT

Lewes. Of the remaining ties, WSL high-flyers Chelsea are away to Charlton, in one of seven fixtures between WSL and secondtier teams.

This year’s Women’s FA Cup final will be held at Wembley (left) on Saturday 9 May.

Extra-time and penalties await if level tonight

⬤ Fourth-round draw in full: – West Ham v Arsenal – Manchester United v Manchester City – Lewes v Billericay Town or Actonians – Charlton Athletic v Chelsea – Everton v London Bees – Burnley v Leicester City – Sheffield United v Birmingham City – London City Lionesses v Reading – Bristol City v Durham – Tottenham Hotspur v Barnsley – Huddersfield Town v Ipswich Town – Southampton FC Women v Coventry United – Southampton Women’s FC v Crystal Palace – AFC Fylde or Sunderland v Watford – Liverpool v Blackburn Rovers – Aston Villa v Brighton

Should tonight’s tie finish all square after 90 minutes, 30 minutes of extra-time will be played, with penalties to follow should the scores remain level.

This is a change from the group stage of the competition, when drawn fixtures went straight to penalties (for a bonus point) after 90 minutes.

Clubs are permitted to use an additional fourth substitute during extra-time.

Two Championship clubs are involved in this season’s quarter-finals – double the number from last season – with the other three ties also taking place tonight: Chelsea v Aston Villa (7pm); Arsenal v Reading and Sheffield United v Manchester City (both 7.30pm).

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AVA I L A B L E AT A D I DA S. C O M

KIDS’ PAGE

FRED’S FAN Z ON E CUP QUIZ!

#10-YEAR CHALLENGE! Can you identify these four Reds from the start of the last decade?

Three posers to answer... go!

⊲

Which London club did United beat at this stage of the Continental League Cup last season?

Answer:

1

2

⊲

How many goals did the Reds score across our four Continental League Cup group-stage games this season: 15, 17 or 19?

Answer:

⊲ 3

4

#10-year answers: 1. Ella Toone; 2. Fran Bentley; 3. Katie Zelem; 4. Emily Ramsey Cup quiz: West Ham United; 19; Bramall Lane 15_kids.CGIM.indd 4

Which current Premier League stadium hosted last season’s Continental League Cup final?

Answer: United Women v Brighton & Hove Albion Women 15

09/01/2020 21:03

FAN PHOTOS

RE DS ’ GA LL ERY

Send your brilliant pictures and messages (plus any birthday announcements) to us at MUWomenfamily@manutd.co.uk

#12 Sophie loved the atmosphere at the Bristol City game, but was most pleased to show Mary her new kit with ‘Earps’ on the back. Nice!

Paul Lindley is a huge fan of Martha Harris, so she made his day when she came over to say hello after the Bristol City game.

TAKE FIVE WITH...

HAYLEY LADD On my earphones...

Sam Fender. I’d love to see him in concert.

What I’m watching...

Season two of You, on Netflix. It’s a drama but with a creepy thriller twist.

Here are Mariam and Melissa, players from Wythenshawe-based Better Things FC, meeting Millie.

We hope to see you back tonight.

Here is Charlotte with her sister, niece and nephew at the Liverpool home game. “I was so happy to see my favourite team play!” she says.

What I’m surfing...

I’m ashamed to say I’m addicted to the fantasy football app at the moment!

What I’m reading...

It’s a New Year’s resolution (same every year!) to read more, so I’m trying to read a bit of A Little Life

by Hanya Yanagihara every night before bed.

Making me laugh...

“We are Mearps’ no.1 fans!” says United Women supporter Hannah Jones. Impressive work squeezing five of you into this great selfie!

Here is young Charlie, alongside everybody’s favourite mascot.

Charlie’s got an even bigger smile than Fred in this touchline photo!

Katherine Ryan. Her recent stand-up show on TV had me in stitches.

16 Manchester United Women v Brighton & Hove Albion Women

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SNAPSHOT

NO WAY THROUGH THE VIXENS...

With Bristol City keeper Sophie Baggaley unable to reach the ball following a United corner, Millie Turner fires in a left-footed shot that looked destined to level the scores on our last home outing. Alas, Millie’s goalbound effort would be headed off the line as Tanya Oxtoby’s Vixens preserved their lead, and the visitors would see off some sustained second-half pressure to take all three points, making for a frustrating start to 2020 for Casey Stoney’s side. Ten days on, it’s time to get back on the goal trail here at Leigh...

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SNAPSHOT

Manchester United Women v Brighton & Hove Albion Women 19

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INTERVIEW

T

ELLA TOONE PROFILE: Date of birth 2 September 1999 Place of birth Tyldesley, Greater Manchester Position Forward United record (up to 10.01.20) 43 apps (24 starts, 19 sub); 21 goals Previous clubs: 2007-13 Manchester United (youth) 2013-16 Blackburn Rovers (youth) 2016-18 Manchester City International career England U17, U19, U21

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INTERVIEW

“WE WANT TO PROVE TO

PEOPLE THAT WE CAN WIN THESE BIG

TROPHIES...”

Ella Toone looks well set to hit 50 United appearances before her 21st birthday, but as she tells us, she’s hungry for more game time, more goals... and more silverware!

How was the winter break for you, Ella?

It’s always good to have a little bit of time off over Christmas to see the family, but of course I couldn’t wait to get back to training with the team and get ready for the next few games that are coming up.

What’s the mood been like among the squad since you’ve come back?

It’s always positive. It’s a great environment to be in and it’s a family team. It was good to have a little break from each other, but we were itching to get back and it was like we never left.

Did you see any of the other players over Christmas?

I spent most of it with some of them, actually – Millie, Mollie and Martha. We did a few things together

and we’re really close outside of football, so it was good to see them over the break.

The new year clearly didn’t start as we’d like – what was the reaction following the Bristol City game here in Leigh?

We obviously knew it wasn’t our best performance. We know we’ve got a lot of stuff to improve on so we’re going to take that defeat, learn from it and hopefully put things right in the next few games. We know what we need to work on and we will take that on, moving forward.

Are there any specific aims for the team for the second half of the 2019/20 season?

We want to get points on the board. We go into every game wanting to come out of it with three points. And we want to put on good performances for the fans who travel home and away. ⊲

“WE’LL TAKE THAT [BRISTOL] DEFEAT, LEARN FROM IT AND HOPEFULLY PUT THINGS RIGHT IN THE NEXT FEW GAMES” Manchester United Women v Brighton & Hove Albion Women 21

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Mancheste

INTERVIEW

Ella’s five-star display in our last home game in the League Cup launched her to the top of the tournament’s scoring charts

Our first-ever competitive game was in tonight’s competition, the Continental League Cup. Does that famous win against Liverpool back in August 2018 make it a more significant competition for the squad?

It’s always special to play in the Continental Cup because of how far we got in our first season. We want to better that this season. Like I say, every game we go into, we want to win, and we want to put in a good display, but the fact that our first game was in this competition and we got a win at Liverpool... that still means a lot.

You got five goals in one game in this competition earlier this season, against Leicester City.

You must have enjoyed that night!

It’s always good to get on the scoresheet. For some reason, I just like scoring against Leicester! [Ella also scored five in two games against them last season]. We put on a great performance and scored a lot of good goals. I’m happy just to be scoring because that’s my job.

It equalled our record for most goals by a player in one game, level with Jess Sigsworth...

I didn’t know that, but I’ll tell her! I would have got six goals that night, but one of them was disallowed.

So, I win, actually [laughs]!

You’re also the top scorer in the Continental League Cup so far this season, with six. Is that something you think about at all?

Not really. I want to get on the scoresheet in every game but no matter who scores, as long as we play well and win the game, that’s all that really matters.

I want to keep scoring and hopefully I’ll get a couple more in the competition this season.

We’re the only side left in the competition with a perfect winning record so far. What does that do for confidence heading into the knockout stage?

It’s massive. We know we’ve performed well in this cup and we want to keep that up, to keep scoring goals and keeping clean sheets. That’ll spur us on to go further this year than we did last time.

How much of a boost will it be playing at home in this quarter-final tie?

It’s always good to be at home. We fill quite a lot of seats and the fans are always good for us. They’re like a 12th player for us when we’re out there and we always want to put on a good performance for them, to keep them coming back. We should have a lot of support for the game down at Leigh Sports Village and we’re all looking forward to it.

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INTERVIEW

We reached the League Cup semi-finals last season. What did the squad learn from that run?

We learned that we needed to be brave going into games against top opposition. We need to work as a team and work hard. We grafted for results against some WSL sides and got a lot of confidence off the back of that, because we knew we were a good team and we could beat some strong sides.

It ended with a narrow defeat to Arsenal – is there a feeling that you can go Our no.7 still has good friends at City, who she made nine appearances for, but Ella’s determined further this time around? to help us get past her old club in the FA Cup That’s what we’re aiming for.

We have a lot of confidence because of how well we did last season and the teams we beat along the way.

Hopefully, we can go further and maybe even win it.

“THE FACT THAT OUR FIRST GAME WAS IN THIS CUP AND WE GOT A WIN AT LIVERPOOL – THAT STILL MEANS A LOT”

We won the FA Women’s Championship last season but how special would it be to lift one of the major trophies?

A few of us haven’t won a cup before so that would make it extra special. We’re a new side and we want to prove to people we can win and lift these big trophies. That’s our aim. A lot of us signed here to hopefully win trophies.

This season’s League Cup campaign included a win over Manchester City back in October. How does that rank among the games you’ve been involved with at United?

That was massive, to win a Manchester derby. No matter if it’s in the league or the cup, it’s always a big game, so to put on a performance like we did is exciting for us and we got a lot of confidence from that. It meant a lot because I’ve played for City previously, too. Hopefully we can do it again against them!

We’ll face them again in the FA Cup, of course…

We’ll hopefully get a big crowd for it and we’ll go into it as we do for every game: wanting to win. It’s obviously a big occasion and we want to progress.

What have you made of tonight’s opponents Brighton so far this season?

Every team left is a good side so we can’t just go into it thinking we’re going to win. We know we need to move the ball quickly, stick to the game plan, work hard for each other and be clinical in front of goal. If we work hard and work as a team, I’m sure we’ll progress.

We’ve already beaten Brighton in the league this season – how much does that help?

We’re confident. You always are, if you beat a side before, that you can go and do it again. But you can never underestimate anyone you play, so we’ll go out there with a game plan and we’ll stick to it, and hopefully get the win to reach the semi-finals. ⊲

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INTERVIEW

Ella’s close control in the attacking third has won her many admirers

Are you expecting Brighton to approach the game differently, considering the previous meeting?

They’ll have analysed that game and will put on a different game plan. When you lose to someone you always want to try to come back and beat them. They’ll have a plan, but we just need to work hard together.

How do you feel your season is going, personally?

Competition for places is so high this season I’m not starting as much as I’d like to, but I know that I need to be ready when I’m called upon. I need to try to impact the game when I can. But I’ve scored a few goals and I’m happy with that. I’ve started against some of the top sides. I’ll keep training and working hard and hopefully I’ll be given another opportunity.

What do you like to do away from football?

Playing out with my friends! I can never sit still so I’m always out and about doing something.

Chilling with friends, that kind of thing.

You mentioned hanging out with team-mates earlier – what do you get up to together?

Although Toone was on City’s books when they won the League Cup in 2016, last season saw her first real involvement in winning silverware

“I’M ALWAYS WITH MARTHA, MILLIE, MOLLIE, ABBIE... WE DO QUITE A LOT OF STUFF. WE GO AND PLAY BINGO SOMETIMES!” Yeah, I’m always with Martha, Millie, Mollie, Abbie... we do quite a lot of stuff. We go and play bingo sometimes!

What would you have done if you weren’t a footballer?

I don’t have a clue! Probably something to do with sport.

I liked playing all different kinds of sports at school.

Something active, definitely.

And finally, tell us about any New Year’s resolutions you might have...

Just to start saving money and stop eating out as much. It’s all I ever do!

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Change the conversation on mental health #headsup thefa.com/headsup

SIOBHAN CHAMBERLAIN

SHIV’S While United’s no.1 continues with her own unique training regime, she’s hoping the team’s January schedule stretches to a half-dozen fixtures... until the baby arrives, and Evening everybody.

I’m sure anyone that’s seen I hope you’ve all me around would probably wrapped up warm see my belly first! I’m still in for this tie under working hard though, doing the floodlights, as it a couple of days a week could be a cold one! with the media team at It wasn’t an ideal start Old Trafford and the rest to the year with the result of the week with the football against Bristol City, but it’s team. My training has great when you have games We’re all looking forward to resuming the rivalry definitely tapered down coming thick and fast so you with City in the FA Cup – although it could a lot now, as climbing can try and put the wrongs have been Turner and Turner v another Turner! the stairs seems to be right as soon as possible. a hard aerobic session!

That was the first of five The FA Cup draw pulled out an exciting early tie for games for the team in January and if we can win against us last week, and that’s another big game you’ll need to Brighton tonight we’ll have a sixth fixture to play before mark on your new 2020 calendar. We seem to be making the month comes to an end, which I’m told will make it a habit of playing our neighbours at the moment, but so the busiest month in our (admittedly short) history. long as it ends with the same result as our last match I’m writing this before Sunday’s game at Liverpool, against them and Manchester remains red, I’m sure so hopefully we picked up three points there to give we’d all be happy to play City time and time again! We everyone a boost in the WSL, but a place in the were all excited with the draw, although I know Amy semi-finals of the Conti Cup would definitely Turner was hoping for a different outcome, as her give everyone a lift and a big semi-final sister plays for Barnsley [of the FA Women’s to look forward to on 29 or 30 January.

National League], and she was hoping for a We had a good result against Brighton Turner v Turner tie. It was probably a good at home in the league earlier in the season, job that wasn’t pulled out the hat though but they’ve had some decent results as I’ve heard her sister [centre-back since then so it could be a tricky game Lucy] tackles even harder than Amy! tonight against Hope Powell’s side.

It’s a big evening at Old Trafford in I’m getting bigger and bigger by the the cup as well, of course, so let’s day... and that’s not just because I hope it’s a double knockout night ate too much food over Christmas! for United. Come on you Reds!

I’m counting down the weeks now

Manchester United Women v Brighton & Hove Albion Women 27

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09/01/2020 20:58

PLAYER PROFILES

MEET THE 2019/20 SQUAD 1

In the spotlight: the Reds’ keeper who has worn the gloves most often in 2019/20

27 MARY EARPS Position Goalkeeper DOB 7/3/1993 Nationality English

13

22

SIOBHAN CHAMBERLAIN

EMILY RAMSEY

FRAN BENTLEY

Position Goalkeeper DOB 15/8/1983 Nationality English

Position Goalkeeper DOB 16/11/2000 Nationality English

Position Goalkeeper DOB 26/6/2001 Nationality English

A dozen games into her United career (ahead of last Sunday’s game against Liverpool), the summer arrival from Wolfsburg can look back on a strong start with the Reds – six clean sheets, while here at Leigh she’s conceded just three goals in seven home outings. Part of England’s 2019 World Cup squad, the 26-year-old looks set for a big decade ahead at the highest level of the game.

15

2

AURORA MIKALSEN

MARTHA HARRIS

Position Goalkeeper DOB 21/3/1996 Nationality Norwegian

Position Full-back DOB 19/8/1994 Nationality English

3

4

LOTTA OKVIST

AMY TURNER

ABBIE McMANUS

KIRSTY SMITH

Position Full-back DOB 17/2/1997 Nationality Swedish

Position Centre-back DOB 4/7/1991 Nationality English

Position Centre-back DOB 14/1/1993 Nationality English

Position Full-back DOB 6/1/1994 Nationality Scottish

5

20

28 Manchester United Women v Brighton & Hove Albion Women

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09/01/2020 20:58

PLAYER PLAYERPROFILES PROFILES

21

8

MILLIE TURNER

MOLLIE GREEN

KATIE ZELEM

HAYLEY LADD

Position Centre-back DOB 7/7/1996 Nationality English

Position Midfield DOB 4/8/1997 Nationality English

Position Midfield DOB 20/1/1996 Nationality English

Position Mid/defence DOB 6/10/1993 Nationality Welsh

14

10

7

9

12

11

JACKIE GROENEN

ELLA TOONE

JESSICA SIGSWORTH

LEAH GALTON

Position Midfield DOB 17/12/1994 Nationality Dutch

Position Forward DOB 2/9/1999 Nationality English

Position Forward DOB 13/10/1994 Nationality English

Position Winger DOB 24/5/1994 Nationality English

16

17

18

19

LAUREN JAMES

LIZZIE ARNOT

KIRSTY HANSON

JANE ROSS

Position Mid/forward DOB 29/9/2001 Nationality English

Position Winger DOB 1/3/1996 Nationality Scottish

Position Winger DOB 17/4/1998 Nationality Scottish

Position Forward DOB 18/9/1989 Nationality Scottish

Manchester United Women v Brighton & Hove Albion Women 29

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09/01/2020 20:58

OPPOSITION

Aileen Whelan is mobbed by team-mates after scoring the winner in the Seagulls’ first game of 2020

TONIGHT’S VISITORS

BRIGHTON

The Seagulls have shrugged off their WSL struggles in the League Cup with some impressive results so far and one particularly notable scalp...

It’s been tough going in the WSL for Brighton so far this season. Hope Powell’s side won just one of their opening 10 games before Christmas, shipping 22 goals in the process – including four without reply against United. A 1-0 win over Liverpool in their first 2020 outing did a lot to help ease relegation fears and, following some strong displays in the Continental League Cup, they have reason to believe they can go even further in the competition.

A 3-0 victory away to Championship side Charlton in their opening group game was the perfect start. A narrow 2-1 home defeat to Bristol City followed, before last season’s runners-up Arsenal visited the People’s Pension Stadium. In a huge upset, Brighton held the reigning WSL champions to a goalless draw before winning on penalties – in the process, they became the first club to prevent the Gunners from scoring in a competitive game since

City in last season’s final, way back in February. This stunning success provided the springboard for the remainder of their Group B campaign as two convincing victories in the capital followed: first, London Bees were brushed aside 5-0 before qualification was sealed in style with a 4-2 win at London City Lionesses.

It ensured a second straight League Cup quarter-final appearance for the south-coast side, though they will be hoping for much better than last season’s 7-1 defeat to Manchester City this time around. They’ve shown a

IN NOVEMBER THEY BECAME THE FIRST CLUB TO PREVENT ARSENAL FROM SCORING SINCE FEBRUARY

30 Manchester United Women v Brighton & Hove Albion Women

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E AL Y

OPPOSITION

Captain Bowman, previously of Chelsea, brings much experience and leadership to the midfield

penchant for causing a shock in the past, however.

As well as the spot-kick drama against Arsenal, they held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw in the WSL in September and were only denied maximum points by a late equaliser. They’ve also vastly improved at both ends of the pitch in the cup compared to their league form, with 13 goals scored and only four conceded in five group ties (in contrast with eight and 22 respectively in the WSL).

WORLD CUP PEDIGREE As far as head-to-head records go, history favours United. The Reds have won each of the two previous meetings so far by an aggregate score of 6-0. In January 2019, and our first-ever match in the Women’s FA Cup, Lauren James struck twice either side of Siobhan Chamberlain’s superb penalty save, and James was on target again last November, before a Leah Galton brace and a Katie Zelem spot-kick rounded off our biggest WSL home win to date.

Stoney’s side have the only perfect record remaining in this season’s League Cup and will go into tonight’s game as favourites, but the Seagulls are clearly a different proposition away from the WSL. They have several players with international pedigree, including two who travelled to the 2019 World Cup: defender Danique Kerkdijk, Netherlands team-mate of Jackie Groenen, and Norway goalkeeper Cecilie Fiskerstrand, recently signed from LSK Kvinner.

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ONE TO WATCH INI UMOTONG

THE MANAGER HOPE POWELL

Now in her third year with the Seagulls, Umotong has been a key figure in the current League Cup run, scoring three goals from four starts, as well as having an effort disallowed in the memorable shoot-out success over Arsenal. She broke her international duck for Nigeria last January but has endured somewhat of a disrupted campaign so far after picking up a shoulder injury against the Gunners.

Back in the fold, Umotong could now be set for an extended spell leading the line, with fellow forward Kayleigh Green moved to wide right after Ellie Brazil was ruled out for the season.

England legend Powell holds the distinction of having led Brighton in all 15 of their games in the League Cup since their debut back in 2017, winning nine (including one on penalties). She knows Casey Stoney well, handing the Reds boss the first of 130 international caps two decades ago, before naming her captain of the 2012 Great Britain Olympic squad. Stoney has had the upper hand in both of their managerial clashes to date, but the astute Brighton boss will no doubt have a detailed game plan in place as she looks to make it third time lucky against the Reds.

09/01/2020 20:57

DON’T MISS A GAME

THIS SEASON BUY TICKETS: MANUTD.COM/MUWTICKETS

STATISTICS

TABLES & PLAYER STATISTICS

FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE TABLE*

Teams

W D L GD Pts

Player

League

FA Cup

League Cup

Total

App Gls App Gls App Gls App Gls

Lizzie Arnot

0(1) 0 0 0 2(1) 2 2(2) 2

Mary Earps

10 0 0 0 2 0 12 0

Leah Galton

10 2 0 0 2 0 12 2

Mollie Green

0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0

Jackie Groenen

8 0 0 0 2 0 10 0

Martha Harris

7 0 0 0 2(1) 0 9(1) 0

Kirsty Hanson

6(4) 3 0 0 3 0 9(4) 3

Lauren James

7(3) 5 0 0 1(2) 2 8(5) 7

Hayley Ladd

10 0

2 Manchester City 11 9 0 2 24 27

Abbie McManus

9 0 0 0 4 0 13 0

3 Chelsea

Aurora Mikalsen

0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0

1 Arsenal * Stats do not include Sunday game v Liverpool

P

APPEARANCES/GOALS 2019/20*

11 10 0 1 26 30 10 8 2 0 18 26

0 0 2(2) 1 12(2) 1

4 Manchester United 10 5 0 5 8 15

Lotta Okvist

2 0 0 0 2 0 4 0

5 Everton

9 5 0 4 2 15

Emily Ramsey

0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0

6 Reading

10 4 2 4 -4 14

Jane Ross

3(4) 1 0 0 2(2) 2 5(6) 3

7 Tottenham Hotspur 11 4 1 6 -8 13

Jess Sigsworth

4(6) 1 0 0 2(1) 2 6(7) 3

8 West Ham United 9 3 1 5 -7 10

Kirsty Smith

3(1) 0 0 0 2 1 5(1) 1

9 Brighton

11 2 3 6 -14 9

Ella Toone

3(7) 0 0 0 2(2) 6 5(9) 6

10 Birmingham

9 2 1 6 -12 7

Amy Turner

8(2) 0 0 0 2(1) 1 10(3) 1

11 Bristol City

10 1 3 6 -23 6

Millie Turner

10 0 0 0 4 0 14 0

12 Liverpool

11 0 3 8 -10 3

Katie Zelem

10 3 0 0 4 2 14 5

CONTINENTAL LEAGUE CUP GROUP C

Teams

P

1 Manchester United 4

W

L

Pns* GD Pts

UNITED CAREER APPEARANCES/GOALS*

Player

App Gls App Gls App Gls App Gls

League

FA Cup

League Cup

Total

4 0 0/0 17 12

Lizzie Arnot

12(6) 6 1(1) 0 5(3) 3 18(10) 9

2 Manchester City 4 3 1 0/0 7 9

Fran Bentley

0(1) 0 0(1) 0 0 0 0(2) 0

3 Birmingham City 4 2 2 0/0 2 6

Siobhan Chamberlain 18 0 3 0 6 0 27 0

4 Everton

4 1 3 0/0 -3 3

Mary Earps

5 Leicester City

4

Leah Galton

20(4) 5 1(1) 0 5(2) 1 26(7) 6

Mollie Green

14(4) 13 3 1 8 2 25(4) 16

0 4 0/0 -23 0

(*Drawn games settled by penalties – 2pts to winner; 1pt to loser)

Jackie Groenen

WSL DEBUT FOR LIZZIE Our last home match saw Lizzie Arnot make her fourth 2019/20 appearance for the Reds as she was brought on at half-time, for what was her first-ever taste of WSL football. It was Arnot’s 29th appearance overall for United, and at the time of print the Scottish winger requires one more goal to join the ranks of those to have hit double figures in the scoring charts (alongside Green, James, Sigsworth, Toone and Zelem).

Kirsty Hanson

10 0 0 0 2 0 12 0

8 0 0 0 2 0 10 0 18(9) 8 2(1) 0 6(3) 0 26(13) 8

Martha Harris

19(3) 1

Lauren James

19(9) 19 0(3) 2 7(2) 3 26(14) 24

3 0 6(1) 0 28(4) 1

Hayley Ladd

10 0

Abbie McManus

9 0 0 0 4 0 13 0

Aurora Mikalsen

0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0

Lotta Okvist

2 0 0 0 2 0 4 0

0 0 2(2) 1 12(2) 1

Emily Ramsey

2 0 0(1) 0 1 0 3(1) 0

Jane Ross

3(4) 1 0 0 2(2) 2 5(6) 3

Jess Sigsworth

19(10) 18 3 0 8(1) 3 30(11) 21

Kirsty Smith

16(4) 0 1(1) 0 7 1 24(5) 1

Ella Toone

19(11) 14

3

Amy Turner

24(2) 2

2 0 8(1) 1 34(3) 3

1 2(8) 6 24(19) 21

Millie Turner

30 2 3 0 10 0 43 2

Katie Zelem

28 13 2 0 10 3 40 16

Manchester United Women v Brighton & Hove Albion Women 33

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LINE-UP

ATTENDANCE

SCORE

VENUE

KICK-OFF

OPPOSITION

DATE

FIXTURES & LINE-UPS

AUGUST SEPTEMBER WSL Sat 7

Manchester City

3pm

A

0-1

31,213

Earps

Ladd

McManus

M Turner

Okvist

WSL Mon 16

Arsenal

7.30pm

H

0-1

2,530

Earps

A Turner

McManus

M Turner

Smith

Gro

Lad

WSL Sat 28

Liverpool

12pm

H

2-0

2,813

Earps

Smith

McManus

M Turner

Okvist

Lad

OCTOBER WSL Sun 13

Tottenham Hotspur

12.30pm A

3-0 x

1,299

Earps

Harris

A Turner

M Turner

Smith

Lad

CC

Manchester City

12pm

H

2-0

4,042

Earps

A Turner

McManus

M Turner

Harris

Lad

Reading

12.30pm H

2-0

1,997

Earps

A Turner

McManus

M Turner

Harris

Lad

Sun 20

WSL Sun 27

NOVEMBER CC

Sun 3

Everton

12.30pm A

3-0

361

Earps

A Turner 1

McManus

M Turner

Harris

Lad

WSL

Sun 17

Chelsea

2pm

A

0-1

4,790

Earps

A Turner

McManus

M Turner

Harris

Lad

CC

Thu 21

WSL Sun 24

Leicester City

7.30pm

H

11-1

1,127

Mikalsen

Smith 1

McManus

M Turner

Okvist

Gre

Brighton

12pm

H

4-0

1,707

Earps

A Turner

McManus

M Turner

Harris

Lad

+ Date/kick-off TBC

DECEMBER WSL Sun 1

West Ham United

3pm

A

2-3

1,736

Earps

A Turner

McManus

M Turner

Harris

Lad

WSL Sun 8

Everton

12pm

H

3-1

1,805

Earps

A Turner

McManus

M Turner

Harris

Lad

CC

Wed 11

Birmingham City

7.30pm

A

3-1

442

Ramsey

Smith

McManus

M Turner

Okvist

Gre

WSL JANUARY Sun 15

Birmingham City

2pm

A 2,021

Earps

A Turner

McManus

M Turner

Harris

Lad

WSL Sun 5

Bristol City

12pm

H

WSL Sun 12

Liverpool

12pm

A

CC

Wed 15

Brighton (QF)

7.30pm

H

WSL Sun 19

Tottenham Hotspur

12pm

H

FA

Manchester City (R4) 1pm+

H

Sun 26

CC 29/30 Semi-final * Head to ManUtd.com for match report and reaction from Sunday's game v Liverpool

0-1

*

FEBRUARY WSL Sun 2

Reading

2pm

A

WSL Sun 9

Chelsea

12pm

H

WSL Wed 12

Brighton

7.45pm

A

FA

Round five

Sun 16

WSL Sun 23

Everton

CC

Final

Sat 29

12.30pm A N

MARCH Quarter-final

WSL Sun 22

West Ham United

12pm

H

WSL Sun 29

Manchester City

12pm

H

WSL Sun 5

Arsenal

2pm

A

FA

Semi-final

Bristol City

A

FA

Sun 15

APRIL Sun 19

WSL Sun 26

3pm

MAY Final

N

WSL Sat 16

Birmingham City

TBC

H

WSL TBC

Birmingham City

-

A

FA

Sat 9

CONTACT US via email

Message and picture requests: MUWomenfamily@manutd.co.uk

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Ticket information: Call 0161 868 8000 or visit ManUtd.com/Tickets

09/01/2020 20:56

WSL - Women’s Super League

Scorers Bold

First sub

CC - FA Continental League Cup

Penalty •

Second sub

FA - Women’s FA Cup

x Own goal

Third sub

* after extra-time

Yellow/red card

SUBS USED

KEY:

Groenen Ladd

Zelem

Toone

Sigsworth

Ross

Zelem

Toone

Sigsworth

Ross

Sigsworth

James 1

James

Ladd Zelem 1 • Toone

Galton

A Turner

Galton James Galton

Hanson

James

Hanson

-

A Turner

Hanson

-

Ladd

Zelem Groenen

Ladd

Zelem 1 Groenen

Hanson

Ladd

Zelem

Groenen

Groenen

Hanson James 1

Ladd

Zelem 1 •

Ladd

Zelem

Green

Zelem

Ladd Ladd Ladd

Hanson 1

Hanson 1

James

Groenen

Hanson

Sigsworth 1

Toone 5

Galton

Sigsworth 1

James Ross 1

Zelem

Ladd

Zelem

Hanson 1

Ross

Sigsworth

Toone 1

Arnot 1

Groenen

Hanson

FOLLOW US online

Facebook: manutdwomen

34_35 season stats (check FA Cup ko).CGIM.indd 5

Toone

Arnot

Toone

Galton 2

Toone

Ross James 1

Sigsworth

Sigsworth

Toone

Galton Hanson

Ross 1

Hanson Ladd

James

Galton Arnot

Twitter: @manutdwomen

Ross

Galton James 1

Toone

Toone

Harris

James 2

James

Ross 1

Toone

Ladd 1 Ross

Sigsworth

Galton Sigsworth Arnot 1

Zelem

Green

Galton

Hanson James 1

Groenen

Ross

Galton Sigsworth 1 Ross

Zelem 1 • Groenen

Zelem 1 • Groenen

Sigsworth

Galton

Toone

YouTube: /ManUtd

Smith

A Turner

Sigsworth Toone

Instagram: @manutdwomen

09/01/2020 20:56

MANCHESTER UNITED ­WOMEN

Siobhan CHAMBERLAIN (GK) Martha HARRIS Lotta OKVIST Amy TURNER Abbie McMANUS Ella TOONE Mollie GREEN Jessica SIGSWORTH Katie ZELEM Leah GALTON Hayley LADD Emily RAMSEY (GK) Jackie GROENEN Aurora MIKALSEN (GK) Lauren JAMES Lizzie ARNOT Kirsty HANSON Jane ROSS Kirsty SMITH Millie TURNER Fran BENTLEY (GK) Maria EDWARDS Chloe WILLIAMS Mary EARPS (GK)

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION WOMEN 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 27

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 25 26 27 28

Megan WALSH (GK) Beth ROE Fliss GIBBONS Dani BOWMAN Fern WHELAN Laura RAFFERTY Aileen WHELAN Kirsty BARTON Ini UMOTONG Kate NATKIEL Amanda NILDEN Matilde LUNDORF Sophie HARRIS (GK) Danique KERKDIJK Kayleigh GREEN Ellie BRAZIL Megan CONNOLLY Jodie BRETT Emily SIMPKINS Victoria WILLIAMS Maya LE TISSIER Cecilie FISKERSTRAND (GK) Libby BANCE Lea LE GARREC Ellie HACK

MATCH OFFICIALS: Referee Martin Woods Assistants Natalie Aspinall, Melissa Burgin

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09/01/2020 20:53