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OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 2019/20 SEASON • VOLUME 02 ISSUE 12
FA WOMEN’S CONTINENTAL LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL WED 29 JAN 2020, 7.30 pm
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CONTENTS
WELCOME Tonight the curtain comes down on a full month of home fixtures with our biggest game of the season to date. A place in next month’s Continental League Cup final (see p13 for more on that) would give Casey Stoney’s Reds a massive lift following Saturday’s narrow derby loss in the FA Cup (below and p7). For Jackie Groenen, tonight could see her face her former club, and the Dutch midfielder recalls her time in west London, as well as her desire to return to the English game, in our interview (p20). Elsewhere, we’ve got the lowdown on Emma Hayes’s unbeaten Blues (p30), while you can hear from our own head coach (p4), as well as the skipper (p11). Should it finish level tonight, extra-time will follow, then penalties if needed. History would suggest that’s unlikely, though: did you know we’ve only ever drawn two games (after 90 minutes) in our entire 46-game history? Kudos to you if you can remember them! (Answer on p15).
p4
Casey Stoney column
p7
Women’s FA Cup report
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 Jackie Groenen interview p26 MU Foundation p30 Tonight’s opposition
PROGRAMME TEAM Editor Charlie Ghagan Editor-in-chief Ian McLeish Contributors Sean Mullan,
p33 Player and team statistics
Harriet Drudge, Michael Plant Design Anthony Moore Photography Ash Donelon, Siobhan Chamberlain, PA John & Matt Peters, Getty Thanks to Haylee Howe, Francesca Done, John Shiel / MuPrint.com, © Manchester United 2020
Manchester United Women v Brighton Hove Albion
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HEAD COACH
CASEY STONEY THE HEAD COACH’S COLUMN
Tonight I’ll be looking for a more settled start to the game, which will hopefully provide the foundations for a famous cup win against Emma Hayes’s side... Good evening and welcome to Leigh Sports Village for our Continental League Cup semi-final against Chelsea. We’re in the middle of a really important week, with three big games in three competitions. We were all disappointed after Saturday’s match. I was especially disappointed for the players because I think they deserved more, but I couldn’t be any more proud of them. They executed the game plan, went toe-to-toe with the FA Cup holders – a squad full of senior internationals – and created the opportunities to potentially get ourselves into the hat for the next round. It wasn’t to be but it wasn’t for a lack of effort, or a lack of fight and passion. I couldn’t have asked for any more. They never fail to make me proud. These are the games we want to be playing in, competing at the highest level against the top teams and in the mix for silverware. As a coaching team, our planning and preparation with the team remains the same for cup ties – we know the way we want to play, the only difference is that we may also have to be prepared for extra-time, and make sure we have enough left in the tank if it comes to that.
With three big games in such a short space of time we also have to manage the minutes the players are getting, and that’s what we were doing with Lauren James on Saturday, when she came on and made a huge difference. Every match is a collective effort and our game changers on the bench are always ready to make an impact. We’ll need everyone to be on top of their game tonight against Emma Hayes’s side. They are another team full of internationals, in excellent form and full of confidence having just beaten league champions Arsenal. We’re excited to get back out on to the pitch as we aim to reach our first final but we know we’ll need to have a better start tonight. We were turning the ball over too much in the first half against City and were a little bit nervy. We don’t need to be nervous – we’re a good enough team to make sure we’re settled, calm and composed enough to compete against these sides. Enjoy the game.
04 Manchester United Women v Chelsea Women
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HEAD COACH
Y
ly ..
“SATURDAY WASN’T TO BE BUT IT WASN’T FOR A LACK OF EFFORT, FIGHT OR PASSION. I COULDN’T BE ANY MORE PROUD” Manchester United Women v Brighton Hove Albion 08
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Mancheste
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SINCE LAST TIME
MATCH CENTRE
• City edge FA Cup derby despite late rally from Reds • Officials rule that McManus shot didn’t cross goal line
The teams walk out for the third Manchester derby of the season
Groenen takes aim for the hosts
KEY STATISTICS ⊲
MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN 2 MANCHESTER CITY WOMEN 3 SATURDAY 25 JANUARY, WOMEN’S FA CUP, FOURTH ROUND, LEIGH SPORTS VILLAGE Scorers: James 69, Hemp (og) 88; White 29, 56, Scott 76 Attendance: 1,948 United line-up: Earps; A Turner, McManus, M Turner, Smith; Ladd, Zelem, Groenen; Sigsworth (Arnot 69), Ross (James 60), Hanson. Subs not used: Mikalsen, Harris, Okvist, Palmer. City line-up: Roebuck; Stanway, Houghton, Bonner, Stokes; Walsh, Weir; Scott, Wullaert (Coombs 78), Hemp; White. Subs not used: Benameur, Bremer, Toland, Park, Bissell, Fidalgo.
Ross battles with Hemp
Casey Stoney’s Reds were eliminated from the Women’s FA Cup on Saturday following a tense 3-2 home defeat to local rivals Manchester City. The visitors had gone ahead in the first half, courtesy of Ellen White, and the striker completed her brace in the second period. United did stage a late comeback, with Lauren James scoring and Lauren Hemp inadvertently turning the ball into her own net, but Jill Scott’s strike between the Reds’ goals ensured it was City who just edged the latest derby encounter. It was a tentative opening, with the only real chance of note coming via White, who fastened on to a pass from Tessa Wullaert and forced a save from Mary Earps. The Reds’ first meaningful chance came from Jess Sigsworth, who reacted quickest to a sloppy pass out from Ellie Roebuck. As the keeper scrabbled back to her goal, United’s no.9 fired on target, only for Gemma Bonner to head it to safety. The resulting clearance then fell to Jane Ross, and her effort floated inches over. City were beginning to gain more of a foothold in the game and made it count in the 29th minute, with White opening the scoring. The forward pressed Abbie McManus into under-hitting her pass back to Earps, and White nipped in and chipped the ball into the net. ⊲ Manchester United Women v Chelsea Women 07
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SINCE LAST TIME
‘GUTTED... PREP NOW TURNS TO WEDNESDAY’S SEMI-FINAL WITH A CHANCE TO PUT THINGS RIGHT’ – AMY TURNER ON TWITTER
After returning to action following a one-game suspension, James fires the ball into the City net
THE BIG NUMBERS
12 4-4 Shots on goal against City (compared to nine shots by the opposition)
Aggregate score across our three meetings with City so far this season
9
1
Number of minutes Lauren James had been on the pitch before scoring
Other teams to have scored twice in a domestic game v City this season (Chelsea)
The Reds still looked a threat and should have gone in at the break on level terms. Ross’s tireless work rate forced a mistake from Houghton and Kirsty Hanson latched on to the loose ball, yet her pass was played just behind Sigsworth and City managed to clear. After a slow start to the first half, the second period began at an electric pace, as Hanson and Groenen came close with powerful efforts, just before McManus headed wide from a corner. City also contributed to the frenetic first 10 minutes of the half, with Wullaert blazing a shot over the crossbar from inside the box. A goal seemed on the cards and when it came, it was again down to White’s excellent movement. City’s no.18 dropped a shoulder and anticipated the low cross, which she directed over Earps with a looping finish. Despite the setback, United responded positively, with Hanson forcing Roebuck into a full-length save. Lauren James was introduced on the hour mark and within nine minutes she showed her quality to find the City net. James collected the ball from McManus’s pass into the channel. The teenager cut inside on to her left foot and blasted an effort into the bottom right corner to halve United’s arrears. Minutes later, a moment of real controversy: Zelem floated in a free-kick from the right, which fell to McManus at the back post. The former City player didn’t make the cleanest of connections but she and her team-mates seemed convinced that her shot had crossed City’s goal line. The assistant referee thought otherwise, however, as she kept her flag down, and the score remained 2-1 to Nick Cushing’s side. Minutes later, it was 3-1. After some scrappy build-up play from the visitors, the ball rolled out to Scott. The midfielder hit a fierce drive which took a deflection to wrong-foot Earps and find the net. United continued to press, with Hanson and James both firing over, before a late own goal gave us hope. Zelem again provided the cross that was met by a combination of Millie Turner and City’s Hemp, with the latter being credited with the final touch. The goal stirred the ever-vocal home support even more, but City held firm to reach the fifth round.
08 Manchester United Women v Chelsea Women
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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
Saturday’s loss was a real blow, but we have no time to dwell on it as the big cup ties continue, and tonight we’re 90 minutes away from a first final... We were all so disappointed after the match on Saturday – we love the FA Cup and enjoyed our run to the quarter-finals last season, so to go out of the competition at this stage is tough to take. We were a bit slow to get going but we gave it everything. It wasn’t quite enough on the day but it’s another experience we will learn from. It’s a big week for us, playing against some of the best teams in the country in quick succession and we have the opportunity to bounce back against Chelsea in the Continental Cup tonight. We knew it was going to be difficult coming into our first season in the WSL, but since the opening match against
AFTER LOSING LAST SEASON’S SEMI AT ARSENAL, WE WANT TO MAKE HOME ADVANTAGE COUNT
Manchester City in the league, we’ve come on leaps and bounds. Beating City here in the Conti Cup came in the middle of a good run of form and clean sheets, and we’re working hard to get back to that – keeping clean sheets means you’re halfway there in terms of getting a result. As I’ve said before, the cup competitions are so important to us and the Conti Cup is now our best chance to pick up some silverware this season. We love playing in the cup and have shown we have got what it takes to go far in the cup competitions, competing with the best in the country. Chelsea are a great side in good form. We played well against them at Kingsmeadow in November and although we narrowly lost that match, we’re confident we can get a good result this evening if we’re on top form. After defeat away at Arsenal at the semi-final stage of this competition last year, we want to make home advantage count this time and, with your help, reach our first final.
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Change the conversation on mental health #headsup thefa.com/headsup
AND AFTER!
NEWS
NEWS ROUND-UP
RAMSEY SIGNS NEW DEAL Teenage keeper also joins Sheffield United in loan deal Reds goalkeeper Emily Ramsey has signed a new deal with Manchester United Women, coinciding with her joining Sheffield United on loan for the rest of the 2019/20 season. The 19-year-old stopper spent her youth career with United before returning when the women’s team formed in July 2018. She’s since made four appearances for the Reds in all competitions, most recently in our Continental League Cup win away to Birmingham in the team’s final fixture of 2019. The Salford-born England Under-21 international (pictured
signing her new deal, inset) said: “It’s an honour to sign a new contract at this club. From a young age Manchester United has been a big part of my life and to be here as part of a senior women’s team is a dream for me. “I’m excited for what the future holds with this group of players and staff, and I just want to continue working hard and improving my game as much as possible.” “I’m also looking forward to working with the coaches and players at Sheffield United – they
are a great club and I know this experience will be really beneficial for my development over the next few months.” United head coach Casey Stoney said: “Emily is a talented young keeper with a bright future ahead of her so it’s great to have her sign a new deal at the club. We see the hard work and dedication she puts in every day during training and this loan move to Sheffield United will give her invaluable experience and playing time, which is perfect for her development.”
PALMER BACK FROM BLADES Last week also signalled the return of Aimee Palmer to MU Women, the midfielder spending the first half of 2019/20 on loan at Sheffield United. Aimee scored six goals and provided four assists in 18 outings for the second-tier side, to help Carla Ward’s side in their promotion push. The Blades boss tweeted: ‘Been a joy to work with Aimee – a true professional who bought so much quality on and off the pitch. Good luck Palms, enjoy the journey.’ The Norfolk-born player – like Ramsey, an England U21 international – made 15 appearances for United last term, netting her first Reds goal on the final day.
Palmer returns on the back of a successful spell in South Yorkshire
‘Rambo’ started for the Reds away to Birmingham in December
United reached the quarter-final stage last season before exiting the competition away at Reading
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THESE WILDCATS
JUST LOVE
TO PLAY SSE Wildcats provide girls aged 5-11 the opportunity to have fun, make friends and play football. With over 1,000 centres nationwide, find a centre near you and join the fun!
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KIDS’ QUIZ
FRED’S FAN Z ON E Six posers to tackle, from hat-trick heroes to ex-Blues...
GOAL GETTERS!
Can you name the players who bagged these impressive hauls for United? (Answers below)
1
FIVE GOALS v Aston Villa, FA Women’s Championship, 9 September 2018
3
FOUR GOALS v Crystal Palace, FA Women’s Championship, 20 April 2019
2
THREE GOALS, v Millwall, FA Women’s Championship, 25 November 2018
4
FIVE GOALS v Leicester City, Continental League Cup, 21 November 2019
BLUE ARE YA?! Can you recognise these pixelated current United players from their Chelsea days? 5
6
YOUR ANSWERS: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Answers: 1. Jess Sigsworth, 2. Mollie Green, 3. Lauren James, 4. Ella Toone, 5. Jackie Groenen, 6. Siobhan Chamberlain p3 answer: 0-0 v Durham (30 Sep 2018); 2-2 v Reading (17 Mar 2019, lost 3-2 aet) 15_kids.CGIM.indd 4
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FAN PHOTOS
RE DS ’ GA LL ERY Get in touch at MUWomenfamily@manutd.co.uk
#4 TAKE FIVE WITH... Here’s a photo of young Robyn meeting her favourite player Leah Galton. Robyn ran all the way down the stands to meet her hero!
Happy birthday to Tasha, pictured here next to Amy Turner. A group from Northop Hall FC are here tonight – hope you enjoy the game.
A big hello to Abbie, seen here with her favourite United Women player Lauren James. Abbie plays for Winsford Diamonds in Cheshire but hopes to play for the Reds one day.
Martha, aged 11, is pictured here alongside Mary on her first visit to LSV. Martha plays for both a girls’ and boys’ team and is a huge Red.
Alex, aged 7, loves watching the girls with his big sister Ella (below), Grandma and Grandad.
AMY TURNER What I’m watching... How to get Away with Murder, which I’m enjoying.
On my earphones... The new album from Courteeners – it’s called More. Again. Forever.
Where I’m going... Thoughtfully Café in Liverpool. It’s mine (and my dog Betsy’s) favourite coffee shop!
Where I’m holidaying... Last summer I went to Mykonos, Paros and Santorini. It was all beautiful.
Who’s inspiring me... Celebrities championing climate change, such as Emma Thompson, Stacey Dooley and Emma Watson.
TONIGHT’S MASCOTS Lucy brought her painting of Jackie to the City game, which our Dutch midfielder was only too happy to sign!
⬤ Holly Wilson, aged 10 ⬤ Isobel Broadbent, aged 10
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AVA I L A B L E AT ‐ A D I D A S . C O M
SNAPSHOT
DERBY-DAY PRIDE From the Barmy Army on their feet, to the MU Women squad members and non-playing staff sat above them, there are a few familiar faces on show in this crowd shot from Saturday’s FA Cup tie, with everyone gripped by what was an absorbing encounter with Manchester City. Did Abbie McManus’s prodded shot cross the City goal line? This large group of Reds, situated in the south end of the West Stand, would have had as good a view as anybody for that pivotal 72nd-minute moment... although you can probably guess what their answer would be!
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SNAPSHOT
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INTERVIEW
JACKIE GROENEN PROFILE: Date of birth 17 December 1994 Place of birth Tilburg, Netherlands Position Midfielder United record: 12 apps (12 starts); 0 goals Previous clubs: 2011 SGS Essen 2011-14 FCR 2001 Duisburg/MSV Duisburg 2014-15 Chelsea 2015-19 FFC Frankfurt International career Netherlands: 58 caps, 3 goals
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INTERVIEW
“I DID MISS THE ENGLISH
E NTH U S IAS M
WHEN IT COMES TO FOOTBALL. IT’S GOOD TO BE BACK!” Back in the WSL following four years on the continent, Jackie Groenen is loving life in the north, with her next destination of choice being a trip to Nottingham for the Conti Cup final... Talk us through your first few months at your new club, Jackie... I’m really happy. I like the atmosphere and the fans, and the mentality we have. I feel like, ever since I arrived here, I’ve been getting better every single day. That’s what I’m aiming for and it makes me very happy. The team we’ve built has been great and I love coming into training every morning. What’s it’s like living in Manchester? I like doing a lot of sightseeing, but we don’t have too many days off! I’ve been to see the Northern Quarter, which is really funky, and I like it. It has history and nice coffee shops, which really speaks to my way of living. I’ve really enjoyed it here up until now, but I honestly can’t get used to the weather! It goes up and down really quickly. When it rains here, it pours! It’s not just rain... you drown! But I’ve settled in well. I like the mentality –
people are very friendly and accommodating in the north, which feels very welcoming. We noticed you waving to people in the crowd as you left the pitch against Spurs recently. Do your family come over to visit often? My parents come over basically every weekend to see the games, so I don’t have to miss them that much. Everyone wants to come and watch United play, so sometimes I feel a bit like a ticket seller! But it’s been great. Everyone’s very excited and wants to come and see me in a Manchester United shirt. Where have you been taking them in Manchester? My dad loves architecture so I took him to the John Rylands Library. My friends have been with me to the Northern Quarter and we went Christmas shopping, ⊲
“I’VE REALLY ENJOYED IT HERE, BUT I CAN’T GET USED TO THE WEATHER! I LIKE THE MENTALITY – PEOPLE ARE VERY FRIENDLY” Manchester United Women v Chelsea Women 21
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Mancheste
INTERVIEW
Job done! Jackie receives a high five from the boss as she leaves the pitch against Spurs with United two goals up
things like that. It’s been a bit of everything when people have been coming over, which is good for me because it means I get to do a bit of sightseeing as well! What’s the perception of the club back home? Obviously, Manchester United is seen as one of the world’s biggest clubs. When I came here people were very excited. They’re interested in every single thing – the pitch we play on, the stadium we play in. It’s massive. I think I’ve created a new Dutch fan base for the club now. It’s very big in the Netherlands, and everywhere else. What’s Casey Stoney like as a manager? I really appreciate her. The best way to describe her is honest. You always know where you are, which I appreciate a lot. Sometimes it can be hard to take but it makes you a better player. Working with her has made me better and you want to do what she tells you, because she is someone you want to follow. One of the biggest things about being a coach is getting your players to respect you, because when they do, it works. It’s a big night in the cup, against one of your old clubs. Are there any players from your time at Chelsea who you’re still in touch with, or who you think we’ll need to keep an eye on in particular?
It’s been five years since I was there [from February 2014-June 2015] so the players and the team have changed a lot, but obviously there are still a couple of the girls I used to play with, like Ji So-yun in midfield. I’ve always rated her as a player. What have you made of Chelsea so far this season? They’re a very decent team. They’re very organised and they’ve got a lot of good players up front. I think we didn’t have a bad game against them last time and we gave them a good game. Hopefully this time we can give it the extra push to make the difference. We only lost to a penalty in that WSL game back in November. Do you think we were unlucky on the day down at Kingsmeadow? In a way. We had some good spells and we could have scored to get the game going our way. Losing to a penalty always feels a bit unlucky. But we showed we are close to them and now it’s just about giving that bit more, and hopefully we can go through. Did that game give the team more confidence that we can match the big sides? All the games against the bigger teams have given us
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INTERVIEW
developed up until now and I hope we can make our mark, because it would be good for us as a club to get to the final in our first season in the WSL. I’m very excited about the game and I think that the improvements we’ve made since last time we played them will make it a very exciting game.
Always articulate talking about the sport she loves the most, our Dutch no.14 speaks post-match with MUTV
“WOMEN’S FOOTBALL HAS DEVELOPED A LOT HERE – NOT JUST ON THE PITCH BUT ALSO IN TERMS OF COVERAGE” confidence that we can match them. It’s really more about that last little bit that hasn’t worked out previously. I think we are much stronger now than the last time we played them and I hope that can be enough for us to win the game and reach the final of this competition. How determined are the players to take United to the Continental League Cup final? Very! It would be the first time United have reached a final so there’s a bit of pressure, but I think everyone has been very excited ever since the draw came out. We want to play in these big games, and we want to get better at playing big games, so this could be something that helps us get to that point. Chelsea are obviously one of the biggest sides in England but we know it’s a cup game and it can go either way. We’ve
You’ve got plenty of big-game experience to call upon, including a World Cup semi-final last year, of course. Is that something you can pass on to the other players in the squad? I hope so. I’ve had some big games in the past few years and I think I can help the other girls with advice on how to stay calm and relax, and deal with the tension. I hope I can help to manage the game so that it can go our way. After leaving Chelsea in 2015 you spent four years in Germany before joining United. Had you been hoping to come back to England? I did miss the English enthusiasm, when it comes to football. It’s a big football country and very footballminded. I missed the passion of the games and of the fans, so I’m very happy to be back here playing again. Is the style of play as you remembered it? Women’s football has developed a lot here. It’s much less kick-and-rush compared to what it used to be. There’s a lot more technical ability. It’s good to see how far it has come in the last five years – not just on the pitch but also in terms of coverage. It’s taken massive steps and it’s nice to see how much it has grown. What’s it like moving to a club that’s still so new? It was a bit of a gamble and a risk, which obviously comes with joining a new team. To me, I always saw it as something fresh and exciting. I’m very upbeat about it. When we achieve things, it’s new, and that’s a nice thing to be a part of. ⊲
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Change “I want it” to “Can I afford it?” BarclayPlus children’s account for 11 to 15 year olds. Change the conversation. Search BarclayPlus. Let’s go forward
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INTERVIEW
Jubilation at Stade de Lyon as Jackie fires the Dutch into last summer’s World Cup final
On the international stage, how special was last year’s World Cup semi-final, when you scored the winning goal, and the tournament as a whole? It’s been really great. I didn’t really have time to look back at anything before the winter break, but I’ve had time for things to settle down now. The World Cup was a great moment in my career. I’m very proud I got to be there and do things for my country. I always love playing for my country and I also love being at United. Now I want to help give the fans a cup final – that would be great. Your biggest success to date has been winning Euro 2017, and it sounds like you’re hungry to pick up another piece of silverware with United... Yes – a lot more than I thought I’d be. I started playing football because I wanted to enjoy it. I never really thought about winning trophies. That wasn’t the biggest thing to me. But I’m very exited to be at United because this is a club that will go on to win a lot of trophies and a lot of games. I hope I can help make a start on that. Away from football, you’ve also had some success with judo...
Out on the training ground here in Leigh with team-mate Leah Galton
“JUDO HELPED ME TO LEARN ABOUT TIMING AND USING MY BODY AT THE RIGHT TIME... IT’S BEEN BIG IN MY CAREER” A while back! I did it until I was 16. I won a national championship and participated in a European one. It was very nice to do and it can be good for footballers. It really helped me to learn about timing and using my body at the right time. It’s been really big in my career, helping me in one-on-ones. I’d recommend it. You’ve also studied for a law degree – is that something you’re interested in pursuing after football? Maybe. It’s more about security and having a back-up in case things don’t go the way you want. It would be nice to focus on something else after football. It’s a way to create something for when other things finish.
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MU FOUNDATION
ENGAGE
⬤
INSPIRE
⬤
UNITE
PROVIDING INSPIRATION Introducing Kile Smith, a Street Reds participant turned coach for whom Manchester United Foundation has made a huge impact on his life outlook... Manchester United Foundation’s Street Reds programme has changed the lives of many young people across Greater Manchester for the better, and Kile Smith is a prime example of the real difference it can make. Having grown up in Moss Side, the lifelong United fan jumped at the chance to get involved with the club through the Foundation. That opportunity came via the Street Reds project, an initiative he has been involved with ever since – going from participant to coach. “The Foundation opened a session in my local area and I was just happy for free football, because there aren’t many opportunities. To go to Street Reds for free every week with your friends and with coaching staff that are qualified was amazing,” reveals Kile (right). Part of the national Premier League Kicks initiative, Street Reds uses the hook of United to inspire young people of all backgrounds and abilities to achieve their potential and improve their well-being. Running for 48 weeks of the year, Street Reds offers free sessions and alternative activities to young people aged 8-18, with the opportunity to learn new skills and work towards qualifications in a positive environment. As someone who has seen the benefits of Street Reds first-hand, when the prospect of being involved in the coaching side arose, Kile was keen to get involved. “I’d always wanted to work with young people; what the Foundation does with young people is what happened
Kile’s story is just one of the many tales of people whose lives have been touched by the work of MU Foundation
to me. I’ve gone to youth clubs, they’ve put me on courses, sent me on trips and have provided me with opportunities. That is something I’ve always wanted to do, so to do it for a club I support? It’s a no-brainer,” says Kile. Since starting his coaching journey with the Foundation, Kile has risen through the ranks, and is now head coach at the Street Reds project in Stretford, as he continues to give back to his local community. However, it’s not just within football that Kile has found benefits from being a part of Street Reds. He’s learnt valuable life lessons, too. Now, along with coaching, Kile balances a full-time job at a primary school as well as running his own business cleaning footwear, which he set up in 2018. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, set my own business up. I’ve got that inspiration from the Foundation,” says Kile. “United always strive to be the best; they are always a step ahead and that’s something that I’ve learnt.”
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WORK OF MANCHESTER UNITED FOUNDATION, HEAD TO MUFOUNDATION.ORG 26 Manchester United Women v Chelsea Women
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The best stories are yet to be written The world is watching. The fans are waiting. The players are ready. The new Barclays FA Women’s Super League season is here, and it’s all to play for. Creating opportunities with football. #AllToPlayFor
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PLAYER PROFILES
MEET THE 2019/20 SQUAD We focus on our dependable no.12, who has settled in nicely since her summer arrival...
1
22
SIOBHAN CHAMBERLAIN
FRAN BENTLEY
Position Goalkeeper DOB 15/8/1983 Nationality English
Position Goalkeeper DOB 26/6/2001 Nationality English
27 MARY EARPS Position Goalkeeper DOB 7/3/1993 Nationality English
2
3
4
AURORA MIKALSEN
MARTHA HARRIS
LOTTA OKVIST
AMY TURNER
Position Goalkeeper DOB 21/3/1996 Nationality Norwegian
Position Full-back DOB 19/8/1994 Nationality English
Position Full-back DOB 17/2/1997 Nationality Swedish
Position Centre-back DOB 4/7/1991 Nationality English
15
5
20
ABBIE McMANUS
KIRSTY SMITH
Position Centre-back DOB 14/1/1993 Nationality English
Position Full-back DOB 6/1/1994 Nationality Scottish
21
6
MILLIE TURNER
AIMEE PALMER
Position Centre-back DOB 7/7/1996 Nationality English
Position Midfield DOB 25/7/2000 Nationality English
28 Manchester United Women v Chelsea Women
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PLAYER PLAYERPROFILES PROFILES
10
12
KATIE ZELEM
HAYLEY LADD
Position Midfield DOB 20/1/1996 Nationality English
Position Mid/defence DOB 6/10/1993 Nationality Welsh
7
9
The experienced Welsh international turned down a new deal at Birmingham last summer to move to Manchester, and she’s since been a regular sight in a red shirt, featuring in all 17 of our 2019/20 fixtures. Ladd started her career with Arsenal and spent two seasons with Birmingham after joining from Bristol. Always dependable in the middle, our versatile no.12 made her debut at full-back.
11
14 JACKIE GROENEN Position Midfield DOB 17/12/1994 Nationality Dutch
16
ELLA TOONE
JESSICA SIGSWORTH
LEAH GALTON
LAUREN JAMES
Position Mid/forward DOB 2/9/1999 Nationality English
Position Forward DOB 13/10/1994 Nationality English
Position Winger DOB 24/5/1994 Nationality English
Position Mid/forward DOB 29/9/2001 Nationality English
OTHER 2019/20 SQUAD PLAYERS: 13 Emily Ramsey (GK, on loan at Sheffield United) 8 Mollie Green (MF, on loan at Sheffield United)
17
18
19
LIZZIE ARNOT
KIRSTY HANSON
JANE ROSS
Position Winger DOB 1/3/1996 Nationality Scottish
Position Winger DOB 17/4/1998 Nationality Scottish
Position Forward DOB 18/9/1989 Nationality Scottish
23 Charlotte Newsham (DF, on loan at Huddersfield Town) 24 Maria Edwards (FW) 25 Chloe Williams (MF)
Manchester United Women v Chelsea Women 29
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OPPOSITION
Last weekend saw the Blues win 4-0 at Charlton in the Women’s FA Cup
TONIGHT’S VISITORS
CHELSEA
Standing in the Reds’ way this evening are a formidable Blues side, with their lethal no.9 leading the way with goals as they target three trophies... Whatever the outcome tonight, it’ll be a landmark result for either the Reds or the title-challenging Blues, with neither team having previously reached the final of the Continental League Cup. Chelsea have been hugely impressive this season, suffering just one defeat (on penalties) en route to this competition’s last four. In the WSL, they sit in third place but remain unbeaten, with 10 wins from 12 and a single point behind leaders Manchester City with a game in hand. Emma Hayes’s team secured top spot in League Cup Group D with a game to spare. West Ham and Crystal Palace were comfortably dispatched, before a hard-fought 2-1 win away to Championship outfit Lewes. But the best display of the run was yet to come, with a 5-1 hammering of Tottenham confirming their progression. A shoot-out loss to Reading was academic, with a 3-1 win over Aston Villa in the quarters setting up tonight’s tie. In the WSL, our
opponents have also been buoyed by some big results to start 2020. They came from behind to gain revenge over Reading with a 3-1 win, and followed that up by crushing Bristol City 6-1, again after going a goal down. Their most recent WSL outing was a sensational 4-1 triumph away to champions Arsenal, putting Chelsea in touching distance of top spot as they aim for a second title in three seasons. The only previous meeting between United and Chelsea came in November, with the Blues edging it 1-0 after a contentious Maren Mjelde penalty. Leading the line for
ERIKSSON BRINGS AGGRESSION AND AUTHORITY TO DEFENCE, AND CAN BE A FORMIDABLE BARRIER
30 Manchester United Women v Chelsea Women
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ND
OPPOSITION
Goalkeeper Berger was one of many impressive additions to the Chelsea squad in 2019
the Londoners that day was Beth England, who twice came close to finding the target. Part of a potent Blues attack, England has 15 goals in 18 Chelsea games in ’19/20, including five in six in the League Cup, and she made her senior England debut last August. Chelsea’s ‘Mini Messi’ Fran Kirby is likely to be absent tonight, having not played since facing the Reds due to a virus, while club stalwart Ji So-yun and recent star signing Sam Kerr are both away on international duty, as South Korea and Australia seek to reach the 2020 Summer Olympics. Nevertheless, last weekend’s FA Cup win at Charlton provided more evidence of Chelsea’s strength in depth in attacking areas, with Drew Spence and Emily Murphy both bagging a brace in the 4-0 win.
QUALITY AT THE BACK Out wide, dynamic Scot Erin Cuthbert is Chelsea Women’s Player of the Year, and she’s ably assisted in more central areas by Sophie Ingle (see right). At the back, Swedish skipper Magdalena Eriksson brings aggression and authority to the defence, and can be a formidable barrier next to Millie Bright – as can German keeper Ann-Katrin Berger, whose form has been keeping England no.1 Carly Telford on the bench in the WSL. The Blues might keep things tight at the back, conceding just 12 goals all season – but let’s not forget, we’ve only conceded two more than that ourselves. It’s all set for a fascinating battle ahead.
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ONE TO WATCH SOPHIE INGLE
THE MANAGER EMMA HAYES
Chelsea’s Players’ Player of the Year last term, Ingle has been displaying the best form of her career since arriving from Liverpool in 2018, five years after she left Chelsea to join Bristol. A full-back in her younger years, these days Ingle’s game is all about intelligent distribution from midfield, while she’s not afraid to have a shot from distance, as she demonstrated in sensational fashion against Arsenal earlier this month, finding the net with a leftfooted half-volley. Although Eriksson generally wears the armband, Ingle is a natural leader, and captains the Welsh national team – for whom she is closing in on a century of caps.
Hayes has been at the helm since 2012, having spent most of the previous decade coaching in the US, and she’s since won the WSL and FA Cup Double with Chelsea, in both 2015 and 2018, as well as the 2017 Spring Series. The 43-year-old has also overseen some impressive European campaigns, last season leading her team to a second consecutive Champions League semi-final. As far as the Continental Cup is concerned, her side have reached three semis, and Hayes – who in 2016 was awarded an MBE for services to football – will be aiming to finally go at least one step further this time.
27/01/2020 12:04
DON’T MISS A GAME
THIS SEASON BUY TICKETS: MANUTD.COM/MUWTICKETS
STATISTICS
TABLES & PLAYER STATISTICS
FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE TABLE
Teams
P
W D L GD Pts
APPEARANCES/GOALS 2019/20 Player
League
FA Cup
League Cup
Total
App Gls App Gls App Gls App Gls
Lizzie Arnot
0(1) 0 0(1) 0 2(2) 2 2(4) 2
Mary Earps
11 0 1 0 3 0 15 0
Leah Galton
11 2 0 0 2 0 13 2
Mollie Green
0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0
Jackie Groenen
9 0 1 0 2 0 12 0
Martha Harris
7(1) 0 0 0 3(1) 0 10(2) 0
Kirsty Hanson
6(5) 3 1 0 4 0 11(5) 3
Lauren James
7(3) 5 0(1) 1 1(3) 2 8(7) 8
Hayley Ladd
11 0
1 0 3(2) 1 15(2) 1
1 Manchester City
13 11 0 2 28 33
Abbie McManus
10 0 1 0 5 1 16 1
2 Arsenal
13 11 0 2 27 33
Aurora Mikalsen
0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
3 Chelsea
12 10 2 0 26 32
Lotta Okvist
2 0 0 0 2(1) 0 4(1) 0
Emily Ramsey
0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
4 Manchester United 11 6 0 5 11 18 5 Everton
11 6 0 5 2 18
Jane Ross
4(4) 1 1 0 3(2) 3 8(6) 4
6 Reading
12 5 2 5 -5 17
Jess Sigsworth
5(6) 2 1 0 3(1) 2 9(7) 4
7 Tottenham Hotspur 13 5 1 7 -10 16
Kirsty Smith
4(1) 0 1 0 3 1 8(1) 1
8 West Ham United 11 4 1 6 -7 13
Ella Toone
3(8) 0 0 0 3(2) 6 6(10) 6
9 Brighton
13 2 3 8 -19 9
Amy Turner
9(2) 0 1 0 3(1) 1 13(3) 1
10 Birmingham
11 2 1 8 -15 7
Millie Turner
11 0 1 0 4 0 16 0
11 Liverpool
12 1 3 8 -9 6
Katie Zelem
11 5 1 0 5 2 17 7
12 Bristol City
12 1 3 8 -29 6
FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE TOP SCORERS
UNITED CAREER APPEARANCES/GOALS Player
League
FA Cup
League Cup
Total
App Gls App Gls App Gls App Gls
Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal)
14 goals (8 assists)
Lizzie Arnot
12(6) 6 1(2) 0 5(4) 3 18(12) 9
Beth England (Chelsea)
10 goals (3 assists)
Fran Bentley
0(1) 0 0(1) 0 0 0 0(2) 0
Pauline Bremer (Manchester City)
9 goals (0 assists)
Siobhan Chamberlain 18 0 3 0 6 0 27 0
Chloe Kelly (Everton)
8 goals (0 assists)
Mary Earps
11 0 1 0 3 0 15 0
Ellen White (Manchester City)
5 goals (3 assists)
Leah Galton
21(4) 5 1(1) 0 5(2) 1 27(7) 6
Ji So-Yun (Chelsea)
5 goals (2 assists)
Mollie Green
14(4) 13 3 1 8 2 25(4) 16
Katie Zelem (Manchester United)
5 goals (2 assists)
Jackie Groenen
LAUREN’S FA CUP IMPACT As well as moving to the top of our 2019/20 scoring charts on Saturday, Lauren James netted her third Women’s FA Cup goal for the Reds – more than any player, despite our no.10 having never started a game in the competition, with all four of her United career appearances coming from the bench. Indeed, no other Red has scored more than once in the FA Cup... although we’ve benefited from two own goals!
9 0 1 0 2 0 12 0
Kirsty Hanson
18(10) 8 3(1) 0 7(3) 0 28(14) 8
Martha Harris
19(4) 1
Lauren James
19(9) 19 0(4) 3 7(3) 3 26(16) 25
3 0 7(1) 0 29(5) 1
Hayley Ladd
11 0
Abbie McManus
10 0 1 0 5 1 16 1
Aurora Mikalsen
0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
Lotta Okvist
1 0 3(2) 1 15(2) 1
2 0 0 0 2(1) 0 4(1) 0
Aimee Palmer
6(7) 1 1 0 0(1) 0 7(8) 1
Emily Ramsey
2 0 0(1) 0 1 0 3(1) 0
Jane Ross
4(4) 1 1 0 3(2) 3 8(6) 4
Jess Sigsworth Kirsty Smith
20(10) 19 4 0 9(1) 3 33(11) 22 17(4) 0 2(1) 0 8 1 27(5) 1
Ella Toone
19(12) 14
3
Amy Turner
25(2) 2
3 0 9(1) 1 37(3) 3
1 3(8) 6 25(20) 21
Millie Turner
31 2 4 0 10 0 45 2
Katie Zelem
29 15 3 0 11 3 43 18
Manchester United Women v Chelsea 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
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
WSL Sun 5
Bristol City
12pm
H
0-1
2,021
Earps
A Turner
McManus
M Turner
Harris
Lad
CC
Brighton (QF)
7.30pm
H
2-1
642
Earps
Harris
McManus 1
A Turner
Smith
Lad
WSL Sun 19
Tottenham Hotspur
12pm
H
3-0
1,836
Earps
A Turner
McManus
M Turner
Smith
Lad
FA
Sat 25
Manchester City (R4) 12.45pm H
2-3x
1,948
Earps
A Turner
McManus
M Turner
Smith
Lad
CC
Wed 29
Chelsea
Wed 15
7.30pm
H
FEBRUARY WSL Sun 2
Reading
2pm
A
WSL Sun 9
Chelsea
4.30pm
H
WSL Wed 12
Brighton
7.45pm
A
WSL Sun 23
Everton
12.30pm A
CC
Final
N
WSL Sun 22
West Ham United
12pm
H
WSL Sun 29
Manchester City
12pm
H
WSL Sun 5
Arsenal
2pm
A
WSL Sun 26
Bristol City
3pm
A
WSL Sat 16
Birmingham City
TBC
H
WSL TBC
Birmingham City
-
A
WSL TBC
Liverpool
-
A
Sat 29
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
CONTACT US via email
Message and picture requests: MUWomenfamily@manutd.co.uk
Ticket information: Call 0161 868 8000 or visit ManUtd.com/Tickets
34 Manchester United Women v Chelsea Women
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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
Zelem
Ladd
Zelem
Ladd
Zelem
Ladd
Zelem 2 (1•) Groenen
Ladd
Zelem
Toone 1
Arnot 1
Groenen
FOLLOW US online
Ross
Sigsworth
Toone
Hanson Sigsworth
Groenen
Galton 2
James 1 Sigsworth
Sigsworth
James
Galton Arnot
James
Toone
Sigsworth 1 Ross
Hanson James 1
Twitter: @manutdwomen
Hanson
Toone
YouTube: /ManUtd
Arnot
Smith
A Turner
Sigsworth Toone Arnot
Sigsworth
Facebook: manutdwomen
Toone
Hanson Ladd
Galton
Ross
Ross 1
Ross
Ross
Galton Hanson
Toone
Toone
Harris
Galton James 1
Ross 1 Hanson
Ross 1
Toone
Ladd 1 Ross
Sigsworth Toone
James 2
James
Toone
Arnot 1
Hanson 1
Toone
Arnot
Galton Sigsworth
Ross 1
Zelem
Green
Galton
Hanson James 1
Groenen
Ross
Galton Sigsworth 1 Ross
Zelem 1 • Groenen
Zelem 1 • Groenen
Sigsworth
Galton
Okvist Harris
–
Instagram: @manutdwomen
Manchester United Women v Chelsea Women 35
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CHELSEA WOMEN
MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN
Siobhan CHAMBERLAIN (GK) Martha HARRIS Lotta OKVIST Amy TURNER Abbie McMANUS Aimee PALMER Ella TOONE Jessica SIGSWORTH Katie ZELEM Leah GALTON Hayley LADD 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)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 27
2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 14 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 28 30
Maria THORISDOTTIR Hannah BLUNDELL Millie BRIGHT Sophie INGLE Anita ASANTE Jessica CARTER Bethany ENGLAND JI So-yun Guro REITEN Fran KIRBY Magdalena ERIKSSON Adelina ENGMAN Maren MJELDE Sam KERR Deanna COOPER Erin CUTHBERT Ramona BACHMANN Drew SPENCE Jonna ANDERSSON Jamie-Lee NAPIER Carly TELFORD (GK) Ann-Katrin BERGER (GK)
MATCH OFFICIALS: Referee Elizabeth Simms Assistants Natalie Aspinall, Lucy-Anne Briggs • Fourth official Lisa Benn
36_MUW back cover Chelsea (officials added, check Ramsey_Palmer) IM.indd 4 West Ham United
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