Manchester United Women v Manchester City Women match programme League Cup 20.10.19

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 2019/20 SEASON • VOLUME 02 ISSUE 03

FA WOMEN’S CONTINENTAL LEAGUE CUP SUNDAY 20 OCTOBER 2019 KICK-OFF 12pm

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CONTENTS

WELCOME United Women’s run to the Continental League Cup semi-finals last season provided plenty of drama, and today’s return to the competition is a mouth-watering clash against our Manchester rivals.

Kirsty Smith still has strong memories of that six-game run, and she’s the focus of our interview (p20), where she reflects on her first year living south of Scotland, this summer’s World Cup and the healthy rivalry among the Reds’ full-backs.

Casey Stoney (p4) and Katie Zelem (p11) have been looking forward to today’s game since our narrow loss to City last month, and both believe we have nothing to fear against the reigning Continental League Cup holders (p30).

In Shiv’s diary (p27), the Reds’ keeper says she’s feeling lucky after an enjoyable trip to the capital last weekend – you can read the match report from that WSL game (right), along with our home win against Liverpool on p7. Come on you Reds!

p4

Casey Stoney column

p7

Spurs/Liverpool reports

p11 Katie Zelem column

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 Secretary Rebecca Britain

p13 News

Honorary president

p15 Fred’s fan zone/gallery

Martin Edwards

p20 Kirsty Smith exclusive p27 Siobhan Chamberlain p30 Today’s opposition p33 Player and team statistics

PROGRAMME TEAM Editor Charlie Ghagan Editor-in-chief Ian McLeish Contributors Harriet Drudge, Feargal Brennan, Siobhan Chamberlain, Sam Carney Design Anthony Moore Photography Ash Donelon, John & Matt Peters, Clive Howes, Getty, PA Thanks to Haylee Howe, John Shiel / MuPrint.com © Manchester United 2019

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HEAD COACH

CASEY STONEY THE HEAD COACH’S COLUMN

The entire squad has been working tirelessly on our game plans, and with the rewards now coming in the league, we want a winning start in the cup...

Good afternoon and welcome to Leigh Sports Village for our first home Manchester derby.

Derbies are always exciting. We’ve faced Nick Cushing and his side already this season, of course, and although we lost, we took a lot from it. We know we can compete.

City have had the distraction of Champions League football this week and they’ve changed systems in their last two domestic games, so we’ll have to be prepared for that.

But we want to make this match more about us: how we can keep possession, how we can hurt them, how we can get our attackers on the ball in the right areas. We’ve been doing that in the last two games and you could hear the relief when the opener went in against Liverpool.

It was a game of two halves for us: we didn’t use the ball well enough in the first, and kept making technical errors. But in the second, we stuck to the game plan, using the areas we knew we could exploit.

We were comfortable winners after 90 minutes, as we were at Spurs last week, when we were dominant.

My only criticism is that we need to take more of the

chances we’re creating. If we can convert more, it just takes the pressure off a little bit rather than going in 1-0 at half-time, which always keeps the opposition in the game.

I have to give credit to the entire squad for how we’ve performed either side of the international break. They’ve worked really hard to make sure they can execute the game plans we put in place. Leah Galton has been excellent, Kirsty Hanson came in against Spurs and did well on her first start of the season and Jane Ross scored her first goal. Strikers need goals for confidence. You could see it meant a lot to her and to the team for her to score that first goal. Jane is the ultimate professional.

Our midfield balance looked the best it has been too – it’s great to have Jackie back – and we didn’t concede.

It really is a credit from front to back that we’re getting results. Football is all about momentum. We’ve got that momentum now and we want to keep it.

Enjoy the game.

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HEAD COACH

Y

“FOOTBALL IS ALL ABOUT MOMENTUM. WE’VE GOT THAT MOMENTUM NOW AND WE WANT TO KEEP IT” Manchester United Women v Brighton Hove Albion 08

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Mancheste

SINCE LAST TIME

MATCH CENTRE

• Hanson and Ross among the goals away to Spurs • Superb second-half show helps to see off Liverpool

Captain Zelem leads the Reds out at The Hive last Sunday

Ross gets off the mark for the club in the final stages

Groenen impressed upon her return

KEY STATISTICS ⊲

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR WOMEN 0 MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN 3 SUNDAY 13 OCTOBER, THE HIVE STADIUM Scorers: Hanson (13), Neville (og, 52), Ross (90+2) Attendance: 1,299 United line-up: Earps; Harris, A Turner, M Turner, Smith; Ladd (Toone 79), Zelem, Groenen (Ross 85); Hanson (Sigsworth 66), James, Galton. Subs not used: Mikalsen, Okvist, Green, Arnot MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN 2 LIVERPOOL FC WOMEN 0 SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER, LEIGH SPORTS VILLAGE Scorers: James (71), Zelem (pen, 90+5) Attendance: 2,813 United line-up: Earps; Smith, McManus, M Turner, Okvist (A Turner 46); Ladd, Zelem, Toone; Sigsworth (Hanson 76), James, Galton. Subs not used: Mikalsen, Edwards, Harris, Green, Arnot

Having beaten Liverpool 2-0 with a commanding second-half display on our last home outing, Casey Stoney’s side shot further up the WSL table after putting three past Spurs last Sunday.

In the battle between the newly promoted sides, the Reds almost went a goal up inside a minute. A mix-up in the Spurs defence allowed Lauren James in and she forced a fine save from Rebecca Spencer. From the rebound, James’s second effort struck the post, before Kirsty Hanson’s shot was cleared off the line.

United goalkeeper Mary Earps was quickly called into action to parry away Kit Graham’s strike, before Katie Zelem bent her shot just around the post at the other end to complete a frantic opening 10 minutes.

Spurs were struggling to handle United’s threat in attack and, after another breakaway, Hanson beat Ashleigh Neville to a loose ball to put the Reds into a 13th-minute lead, via a deflection off Ria Percival.

Leah Galton almost doubled our advantage after being given time to chest the ball down in the area, but her attempt flew just beyond Spencer’s far post.

United’s central midfield trio were dominating the action, with Spurs’ high backline allowing them to regularly find the runs of James, Galton and Hanson ⊲ Manchester United Women v Manchester City Women 07

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SINCE LAST TIME

“THERE WAS A LACK OF INTENT IN THE FIRST HALF [AGAINST LIVERPOOL] AND WE SPOKE ABOUT THAT” – CASEY STONEY

James got a birthday goal against Liverpool, but a red card at Spurs means she is suspended today

THE BIG NUMBERS

25

3

Shots on goal by United at Spurs – two more than our 23 shots v Liverpool

Number of times United hit the woodwork against Liverpool

1

6

James’s sending off at Spurs was the team’s first-ever red card

Places moved up table following the two wins – from joint-10th to fourth.

in behind. James was the major beneficiary, regularly finding time and space to test Spencer, who made a number of solid saves to ensure her side went in at half-time only a goal behind, despite United’s overall superiority, which saw us register 16 attempts on goal.

That number grew soon after the break thanks to a couple of early sighters from James, but it was a Spurs player who would eventually stretch our lead. Galton sprinted down the left wing and crossed dangerously into the six-yard box. Neville, fearing the prospect of an easy tap-in for an oncoming United player, stretched for the ball only to clip it into the back of her own net.

A busy end to the match saw James sent off after picking up a second booking for a foul, before sub Jane Ross bundled home her first United goal in injury-time.

The victory in the capital came seven days after the Reds’ first-ever win in the Women’s Super League, 2-0 against Liverpool at Leigh Sports Village. The win came thanks to Lauren James’s clinical finish on the eve of her 18th birthday and an injury-time penalty by Katie Zelem.

United were frustrated in the first half, showing much endeavour but without creating any clear-cut chances following James’s blasted effort against the woodwork.

Galton’s direct running down the left flank began to create more problems as the second half began, however, with the vocal home fans in the 2,813 crowd sensing that a goal was coming. And they weren’t to be denied, with the magic moment coming on 71 minutes.

Sigsworth showed good awareness to feed James with a pass, and our no.16 calmly evaded a sliding tackle as she cut on to her left foot and fired past Anke Preuss.

It was no more than United deserved and the hosts nearly went further in front when hitting the bar twice in a matter of seconds – first with Galton’s far-post header from Hayley Ladd’s right-wing cross, and then with Ella Toone’s volley on the rebound.

The scoreline remained at 1-0 but just when it seemed James would have all the headlines to herself on her birthday weekend, Galton broke into the penalty area one last time and was brought down. Zelem stepped up to send Preuss the wrong way with her penalty, putting the seal on a brilliant afternoon in Leigh.

08 Manchester United Women v Manchester City Women

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CAPTAIN

KATIE ZELEM THE CAPTAIN’S COLUMN

We’re up and running in the league, and as we start our first cup campaign today, our next target is to stand strong against City for the full 90 minutes...

We’ve played twice since my last column and picked up six points in the process. We’re over the moon with the results against Liverpool and Spurs – games we knew we needed to take maximum points from. I’m so proud we were able to do that.

If the girls felt anything like I did when LJ’s goal went in against Liverpool, they were very relieved! It took longer than we’d have liked to get going this season but as soon as we got that opening goal, the game was there for the taking and we’re up and running now.

As she did against Liverpool, Lauren put in another great performance against Spurs. We’ll miss LJ today as she sits this one out through suspension but we are all

“WE’LL MISS LJ BUT RED CARDS HAPPEN AND WE’RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE STRENGTH IN DEPTH”

behind her. Red cards happen in football – she is young and will definitely learn from it. We are fortunate to have strength in depth, so whether there are suspensions or injuries, players are ready to step in.

It was brilliant to see Jane Ross get on the scoresheet against Spurs. Now she’s scored the first one, that will boost her confidence. Her movement off the ball is unbelievable, as is her work rate – we see it every day in training. She works so hard and is determined to give her best, which makes playing with her so enjoyable.

We will need that determination and work rate today against Manchester City. The way we started against them in the league last month is something we want to replicate. We were the better team.

We know we’ve got that in us, now the challenge is to carry that performance over 90 minutes.

If we do that, and if you are at your vocal best in the stands, there’s no reason why we can’t get a result today.

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

AND AFTER!

NEWS

NEWS ROUND-UP

REDS’ NATIONAL SERVICE Recent break sees United stars head across continent A number of the United Women squad have been away on international duty since our last home game, with mixed results for the British contingent.

Goalkeeper Mary Earps played the full 90 minutes in England’s 2-1 defeat to Brazil at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium, and Mary was on the bench as the Lionesses won 1-0 away to Portugal three days later. Abbie McManus withdrew from Phil Neville’s squad ahead of the two friendly games.

Elsewhere in the same week, Hayley Ladd lined up for Wales in a

European Championship qualifier. The Reds’ no.12 (below) nearly scored away to Belarus before team-mate Rachel Rowe’s late winner kept Wales second in Group C, four points ahead of their third-placed opponents.

Top of the same group are Norway, with Aurora Mikalsen part of their squad, although the Reds’ keeper didn’t feature in their huge wins against Faroe Islands (13-0) and Belarus (7-1).

With Scotland having no October fixture in

the calendar, United trio Kirsty Smith, Jane Ross and Lizzie Arnot all headed north to Edinburgh for a training camp as the squad stepped up preparations for their next Euro 2021 qualifier, away to Albania in early November.

Away from the senior teams, Ella Toone and Aimee Palmer (on loan at Sheffield United) were at Loughborough for an England U21 camp, while Lotta Okvist was involved with Sweden U23s as they faced Holland in two games (one win, one loss).

Earps and her England team-mates lined up in front of a record crowd for a Lionesses home match played away from Wembley

TIME CHANGE FOR THE ROYALS’ WSL VISIT

Should you still be using an old fixture list, please note that United’s next WSL game, here at Leigh Sports Village against Reading next Sunday, will kick off at 12.30pm, rather than the original time of 12pm. This is as a result of the game against the Royals – managed by Kelly Chambers (left) – being broadcast live by the BBC, via its iPlayer and the Red Button service.

CONTINENTAL LEAGUE CUP FORMAT Teams can win one-to-three points per game

Should today’s Continental League Cup group tie finish level after 90 minutes, the teams will compete in a penalty shoot-out, with the winners taking two points and the losers a single point.

As you’d expect, teams winning within 90 minutes claim three points. Teams in this first stage meet each just once, with United and City also facing Birmingham, Everton and Leicester in Group C. The top two in each of the four groups will advance to quarterfinal knockout stage, to take place in January.

Along with Arsenal, defending champions City are the only team to have lifted the trophy (above) – Arsenal have five wins, City have three.

Manchester United Women v Manchester City Women 13

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KIDS’ QUIZ

FRED’S FAN Z ON E United’s no.9 Jess Sigsworth turned 25 last week, so here’s a quiz for the birthday girl!

TH INK YO U KN OW S IG GY?!

(Answers at foot of page)

1

Name the two London clubs she’s pictured (above) scoring against last season.

2

True or false: Jess has started all four of our Women’s Super League games this season.

3

Name Jess’s former club, which is situated in the Yorkshire town where she grew up.

4

True or false: no MU Women player has scored more goals in a single game for us than Jess.

5

True or false: the current season is her first ­campaign playing in England’s top division.

Answers: 1. Charlton and Millwall; 2. False; 3. Doncaster Belles; 4. True (five v Villa); 5. False

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FAN PHOTOS

RE DS ’ GA LL ERY Send a pic (with a message) to MUWomenfamily@manutd.co.uk

#2 A very happy 15th birthday to Grace, pictured at the Liverpool match with her favourite player, Mary Earps. Grace is back today cheering on the Reds!

A big hello to nine-year-old Olivia, who has come all the way from Scotland for today’s big cup tie against City. Kirsty loves the flag!

TAKE FIVE WITH...

MARTHA HARRIS Where I’m holidaying...

I had a busy summer. I went to America with Katie Zelem and [Man City’s] Laura Coombs, then away with my family for my dad’s 60th, and then Ibiza with [Liverpool’s] Mel Lawley.

When Holly was seven (above, left), she wrote to Sir Alex Ferguson asking why United didn’t have a women’s team for her to watch – and she got a lovely message back, saying they would one day! Holly is now 16 and plays in goal for her local women’s team (above right), Walton Casuals. Her team compete in the FA Cup, so who knows, she might even get to face the Reds!

What I’m reading...

Snapchat stories... but my team-mates don’t think this counts as reading!

What I’m driving...

A white Seat Ibiza. I love it.

On my TV...

Power, Money Heist, A Confession, The Capture – I do love a good drama.

Who I’m following...

When Mollie met Mollie! The seven-year-old Red loved the whole experience of her first game, and hopes to be back at today’s match.

Pictured are Dan, Ben and Will after the Liverpool match. “It’s great that the players and manager stick around for photos,” says dad Pete.

I follow a lot of reality TV people and TV shows on Instagram. Made in Chelsea is my fave!

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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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SNAPSHOT

WE HAVE LIFT OFF! With 19 minutes remaining in our last home outing, and the Reds still looking to get off the mark in the WSL, the moment finally arrives: Jess Sigsworth to Lauren James, a sharp turn in the box to floor the Liverpool defender... 1-0!

Pictured is the almighty pile-up of players that follows, as a joyous South Stand rises as one to salute United’s first-ever top-flight goal.

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SNAPSHOT

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INTERVIEW

KIRSTY SMITH PROFILE: Date of birth 6 January 1994 Place of birth Edinburgh, Scotland Position Full-back United record 26 apps (22 starts, 4 sub); 0 goals Previous clubs: 2011-18 Hibernian International career Scotland (39 caps, 0 goals)

P

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INTERVIEW

“YEAH, I PROBABLY DID HAVE

A BECKHAM

POSTER ON

MY BEDROOM WALL!” One legendary wideman was among those to inspire a young Kirsty Smith, and here the full-back tells us of her immense pride in charging down the touchline for the modern-day Reds...

Talk us through your international break, Kirsty...

I went away on a training camp with Scotland – we didn’t have a game, which was annoying! – but we had a good few days; it was productive. After that I had a few days back home [with family]. I’m from just outside Edinburgh and it was great to see everyone.

How much did you enjoy our last home game, against Liverpool? Were we worthy winners?

We were. The first half maybe wasn’t quite up to standard, but we came out in the second half with conviction, and once we got that goal it gave us more belief. We’d come so close to scoring in previous games, but we just needed to start taking chances. It was so good to get that first win.

As for today’s opponents, we stood toe-to-toe with them at the Etihad just six weeks ago...

We did. We competed so well with both City and Arsenal – especially City, where we came so close. For this game, it’ll be a case of building on that performance and hopefully getting a better result against them this time.

We were within 90 minutes of reaching the final of today’s competition last season, with you being a regular in that six-game run. How much did you enjoy that League Cup experience?

It was great. We wanted to have a good run in the cups to show how we’ve come together as a team and how we could compete with WSL clubs, and to reach the semis was a really big achievement for us and we all want to try and take it a step further this season. To do that would be an unbelievable achievement for us. We know the league will be very competitive this season, but the cups could be more open. To win any silverware would be a great feeling. ⊲

“TO REACH THE SEMIS WAS A REALLY BIG ACHIEVEMENT AND WE ALL WANT TO TAKE IT A STEP FURTHER THIS SEASON” Manchester United Women v Manchester City Women 21

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Mancheste

INTERVIEW

Lining up alongside Jane Ross and Lizzie Arnot at this summer’s Women’s World Cup in France

How much have you enjoyed home matchdays this season compared to last, with the larger crowds?

The crowd is a big motivation – for us as a team it’s like having another person on the pitch pushing us to win the game – but equally when the game’s under way you do need to try and block the crowd out, keep your calm and play your game. It’s unbelievable to see the support we now have, at every home game. Everyone’s so behind us.

Do your family make it down from Scotland often to sit in the stands here at Leigh?

They come down whenever they can. My dad would love to come to every game but he works weekends on and off, and it’s hardly around the corner for him! They’ll be at more games this season, though. They are my biggest supporters so it’s great to see them in the crowd.

We’ve seen you play on both sides of the defence already this season – do you have a preference?

I wouldn’t say I have a preference. For much of the season before I came to United I played left-back, so it’s become more common for me to play there, but I see them both as good positions. I can play on both sides and I think that’s a good thing to have – it gives me options to be in the team.

My right foot is definitely stronger, but because I’ve played on the left for so long, it feels natural for me to be there too.

Your goals record at Hibernian (17 in 44 league games) suggests you had a bit more freedom to push forward for your old club! Was that the case?

I did have a bit more freedom, yes, but it was a different kind of league. Here it is more competitive defensively, so that’s part of my game I feel I’ve improved at.

How much are you craving that first United goal?

[Laughs] I was pretty much the only player that didn’t score last season! I would love to. I don’t know why it hasn’t happened yet. In the first game, against Liverpool, I hit the crossbar, and I remember thinking, ‘oh, if that didn’t go in, another one will soon,’ but it never happened! So I’ll be looking to do that this season. I’d like to have more assists in my game too.

While Alex Greenwood has left, the new signings have increased the competition at full-back, with midfielder Hayley Ladd also competent in the role...

That was always going to happen after promotion, and we want to have that competition as it pushes all of us to get better at our game and develop. It’s healthy – as a team we’re so united, and team selection will go on who the manager thinks is best suited to each game. We all play for each other here. In the build-up to every game we’re all together, and we all want the same outcome.

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INTERVIEW

do it as well, which was an incredible thing for me – one of those things that will be a memory for ever. Although we didn’t get the results we wanted, as a team we’ll grow from it and learn. It wasn’t to be for us, but there’s a lot to come.

Kirsty gets to grips with Liverpool as she helps United keep a clean sheet in our last home outing

“PLAYING WITH GIRLS ABOVE MY AGE REALLY HELPED ME...

I KNEW IF AN OPPORTUNITY CAME I WANTED TO BE READY” Talking of being united, how have you enjoyed the ‘Team United’ bonding sessions so far this season?

I think I preferred the ballroom dancing one to the sumo wrestling one myself [laughs] but they were both good fun! It’s just all about doing stuff you wouldn’t normally do, and a few of the girls have since been like, ‘oh, we can do dancing again now we’ve had a bit of practice!’ It’s nice to have a bit of a laugh together outside of football.

Let’s go back to the World Cup. Despite the painful manner of Scotland’s exit, it must have been a really proud few weeks for you, with Scotland competing in the tournament for the first time...

That is probably my biggest achievement so far; it’s something you dream about doing when you’re a kid growing up. To be given the opportunity to play at a World Cup was unreal and I had my family out there to see me

With so many Scottish internationals in the WSL, it’s an exciting time for your national team, isn’t it?

It is. We have some really good players within the squad, so there’s plenty of competition right now, which pushes us all on. It’s exciting to come together, and we’re looking forward to the games ahead.

How did you react when you heard your Scotland team-mate Jane Ross was to join you at United?

Yeah, it’s good to have more Scottish people here!

There are quite a few now [smiles]. I obviously already knew Jane as a person and a player, and she’s fitted in great here. She’s a good addition to the United squad.

Tell us how you first got into the sport – at what age did you realise you were better than your peers, and when did you first think about actually making a career out of football?

I’d say when I was about five. I always used to go to summer camps, and I was one of the few girls there – it was all boys. Even when I did start playing with girls, I was always put with girls older than me, and that was when the coaches realised I might be able to take it further.

Playing with girls above my age really helped me develop, I think. I was still at school when I first thought about really making it as a footballer, but back then it wasn’t a thing that you could see yourself achieving compared to how things are now. I really wanted to though, and I knew if an opportunity came along I wanted to be ready to take it. It was only after university when it started to become real.

Did you excel at any other sports as a youngster?

I’d get involved in anything I could. As well as football, I did athletics and gymnastics, and it got to a point where I ⊲

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INTERVIEW

Defeat in last season’s League Cup semis was tough to take, but it’s made Kirsty even more determined to go further in the competition

Our no.20 ahead of last weekend’s Spurs game, in which she made her third start of the season

needed to decide between gymnastics and football – I chose football because it was a team sport, which just made me enjoy it a bit more.

Who were your footballing heroes growing up?

One name in Scottish football was Julie Fleeting, who went on to play for Arsenal. She was one of the few in the public eye back then. For male footballers, David Beckham was one I always looked up to and was inspired by.

Did you have a Becks poster on your bedroom wall?

[Laughs] Probably! Yeah, there’s every chance I did!

After spending over a decade with Hibernian you must feel a strong connection to your old club. How much pride do you take in seeing them continue to thrive, and even compete in the Champions League?

It’s so nice to see how they are still doing, and I’d love to see them achieve a lot more and win the league in Scotland [Hibs last won it in 2007, with Glasgow City winning the last 12 seasons]. We came close but just couldn’t do it, although to win some cups was great. I know a lot of people there and we’ve stayed in touch.

“IT’S MY FIRST TIME LIVING AWAY FROM HOME, AND IT’S A LOVELY CITY. THERE’S SO MUCH TO DO AWAY FROM FOOTBALL” How are you enjoying off-field life in Manchester?

It’s a lovely city, and there’s so much to do away from football. It’s my first time properly living away from home, and I’m still getting to know my way around here, and making new friends. I like to explore, to just get out and go for breakfast or a bit of lunch. It’s a great place.

Finally, if you had to pick one game, what would be the highlight of your United career to date?

There are a few, but I’d have to say the first game of last season, against Liverpool. To come away with a win, with people not knowing how we were going to be, was such a good feeling. We showed everyone what we were about, and that’s what we’re looking to do again this season.

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SIOBHAN CHAMBERLAIN

SHIV’S While me and my bump power up the exercise bike, the girls have been doing the business on the pitch – and the big games keep on coming...

We’re unbeaten since I started writing for the match programme so I guess I better continue as it seems I could be a lucky charm for the team this season!

It’s always nice to get a win heading into the international break so the Liverpool result was important on lots of levels, and we know what any victory against Liverpool means to you fans. It’s also been great that we kept clean sheets in both of our wins against Liverpool and Spurs, and I just hope we can make that three in a row today against a dangerous Manchester City side.

With many of the players away, the numbers at the training ground were down during the international break, but the players there worked so hard and that’s a real credit to their attitude and professionalism. Tapering down my own training is becoming increasingly frustrating and I’m definitely missing being out on the pitch with the girls – there’s only so many kilometres you can do on a bike without actually moving anywhere!

My bump is definitely getting bigger now and I think I could have a little footballer in there as I’m

getting kicked all day long.

It was especially active on Sunday morning before the Tottenham game so I’m hoping for the same before this afternoon’s match – who knows, the baby could be yet another lucky charm!

I had my camera back out for the Spurs trip, although it could be fair to say I’m something of a fair-weather photographer... it’s miserable shooting in the rain and I’d much rather be diving about in it with a ball. Having to stay out of the range of flying footballs makes it a little more difficult to get action shots too, so I think I’ll stick to behind-the-scenes photos for now, and I’ll share some of these in my column. It’s always nice taking pictures of happy, smiley players and Millie Turner is one that constantly has that look on her face, so I’m sure she’ll like this photo of her standing next to the team bus for last weekend’s away game.

A big group of you fans also made the long trip down to London, and that’s so good to see. I’m sure I speak on behalf of the whole squad when I say thank you for your fantastic support. Hopefully you’ll have two big United wins to celebrate today – against City first, then Liverpool at Old Trafford!

Manchester United Women v Manchester City Women 27

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PLAYER PROFILES

MEET THE 2019/20 SQUAD Today we profile a free-scoring midfielder, with 16 goals from 27 United games

27

1

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

15

2

3

MARY EARPS

AURORA MIKALSEN

MARTHA HARRIS

LOTTA OKVIST

Position Goalkeeper DOB 7/3/1993 Nationality English

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

4

5

20

AMY TURNER

ABBIE McMANUS

KIRSTY SMITH

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

21 MILLIE TURNER Position Centre-back DOB 7/7/1996 Nationality English

28 Manchester United Women v Manchester City Women

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PLAYER PROFILES

8 MOLLIE GREEN Position Midfield DOB 4/8/1997 Nationality English

Having been an unused substitute for the past three games, our no.8 will no doubt be eager to get her 2019/20 campaign up and running today.

A midfielder with a strong eye for goal, attack-minded Mollie regularly burst into the box to score last term, with only Sigsworth and James netting more than her 16. Green also has WSL experience with previous clubs Liverpool and Everton.

14

7

10

12

KATIE ZELEM

HAYLEY LADD

Position Midfield DOB 20/1/1996 Nationality English

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

9

11

JACKIE GROENEN

ELLA TOONE

JESSICA SIGSWORTH

LEAH GALTON

Position Midfield DOB 17/12/1994 Nationality Dutch

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

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 Manchester City Women 29

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OPPOSITION

Captain Houghton rallies the troops ahead of last weekend’s WSL win against Birmingham

TODAY’S VISITORS

MANCHESTER CITY Reigning Continental League Cup champions, the Blues kicked off their trophy d ­ efence in some style on matchday one. And now for the Reds...

WSL champions in 2016 and runners-up last season, Manchester City are once again expected to challenge for the top prize in 2019/20, although manager Nick Cushing has shown in the past that he values the cup competitions just as highly.

Since his appointment in 2013, Cushing has taken City to four Continental League Cup finals, winning three of those showpiece fixtures – a real statement of intent ahead of today’s first derby clash in the competition.

Casey Stoney’s side were far from outshone when City met United last month for the inaugural league meeting between the teams, but City once again demonstrated their ability to keep things tight at the back, remain patient in attack, and wait for the moment for some star quality to make a breakthrough. It was Caroline Weir’s spectacular second-half strike that secured a 1-0 win that day, but Stoney should take much encouragement in how her side have come as close as anyone to breaking down

the Blues so far this season, with City conceding zero goals across their five domestic fixtures to date.

TACTICAL OPTIONS IN MIDFIELD Key to their solidity has been the ever-present central defensive pairing of Gemma Bonner and captain Steph Houghton, while Cushing might look to deploy fellow England international Jill Scott as a defensive-midfield shield against Stoney’s side. The experienced midfielder

CUSHING WILL BE MINDFUL OF UNITED’S MIDFIELD ENERGY, AND COULD DEPLOY SCOTT AS A DEFENSIVE-MIDFIELD SHIELD

30 Manchester United Women v Manchester City Women

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15/10/2019 08:38

Y

F

OPPOSITION

Weir’s brilliant strike from distance proved the difference when the teams last met

missed City’s first Continental League Cup tie this term, a 5-0 win against Leicester, but Cushing will be mindful of the energy and goal threat in United’s midfield. With Scott sitting deep, Cushing has options as he looks to provide his own creativity, and that could see Keira Walsh and Jess Park higher up the pitch as part of a three-pronged midfield pivot.

In attack, Cushing has looked to rotate his players this term, as he juggles Champions League football with domestic commitments.

Pauline Bremer (right) is likely to lead the line through the middle of a front three. The wide positions are set to be taken up by two of former Liverpool star Caroline Weir, Belgian international Tessa Wullaert and Canadian attacker Janine Beckie. If it’s the latter two, they will look to push up high on United’s full-backs and get crosses into the box for the pacy Bremer to charge on to.

If Cushing opts to start Weir, she’ll aim to exploit space created by Bremer’s quick movement by shooting from distance – as the Scot did so well against the Reds six weeks ago – or finding the lethal German (see right) with a subtle through ball. An intriguing tactical battle awaits.

City have been back at their Academy Stadium since the derby at the Etihad

D

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ONE TO WATCH PAULINE BREMER

THE MANAGER NICK CUSHING

The German no.9 has been a key figure for City so far this season, despite only playing a bit-part role in 2018/19. The former Lyon striker suffered a serious leg break in 2017, shortly after signing for the Blues, and having missed over a year of football she’s shown real perseverance to re-establish herself in the starting line-up. The 23-year-old is in red-hot form so far in 2019/20, with seven goals from five matches in all competitions.

Movement is the key to Bremer’s game, and the United backline will have to stay alert to prevent her from running into any gaps left behind them.

City’s boss is one of the most experienced managers in the women’s game in this country, and the second longest serving at one club, behind Chelsea’s Emma Hayes.

Appointed in 2013 while still in his twenties, Cushing – now 34 – has played a vital role in City’s rise to become one of the leading WSL sides, with a title win in 2016, alongside five cup triumphs. The Chester-born boss has favoured bringing players through the ranks, but he’s also shown he’s not afraid to bolster certain areas of his squad with WSL know-how, as seen with the summer signings of Ellen White and Laura Coombs.

15/10/2019 08:38

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

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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

Mary Earps

4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0

Leah Galton

4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0

Jackie Groenen

2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0

Martha Harris

1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

Kirsty Hanson

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

Lauren James

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

Hayley Ladd

4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0

Abbie McManus

3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0

Lotta Okvist

2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0

1 Manchester City 4 4 0 0 7 12

Jane Ross

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

2 Chelsea

4 3 1 0 6 10

Jess Sigsworth

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

3 Arsenal

4 3 0 1 5 9

Kirsty Smith

3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0

4 Manchester United 4 2 0 2 3 6

Ella Toone

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

5 Everton

Amy Turner

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

4 2 0 2 1 6

6 West Ham United 4 2 0 2 0 6

Millie Turner

4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0

7 Reading

Katie Zelem

4 1 0 0 0 0 4 1

3 2 0 1 0 6

8 Tottenham Hotspur 4 2 0 2 -1 6 9 Brighton

4 0 2 2 -6 2

10 Bristol City

4 0 2 2 -6 2

11 Liverpool

4 0 1 3 -4 1

12 Birmingham City

3 0 0 3 -5 0

CONTINENTAL LEAGUE CUP GROUP C

Teams

L

Pns GD Pts

UNITED CAREER APPEARANCES/GOALS

P

W

1 Manchester City

1

1 0 0/0 +5 3

Player

App Gls App Gls App Gls App Gls

2 Birmingham City

1

1 0 0/0 +1 3

League

FA Cup

League Cup

Total

Lizzie Arnot

12(5) 6 1(1) 0 3(2) 1 16(8) 7

3 Manchester United 0 0 0 0/0 0 0

Fran Bentley

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

4 Everton

1 0 1 0/0 -1 0

Siobhan Chamberlain 18 0 3 0 6 0 27 0

5 Leicester City

1 0 1 0/0 -5 0

Mary Earps

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

IT’S A SWEET 18TH FOR LAUREN! Our opening goal of the season was certainly one to savour for Lauren James, with it coming on the same weekend as her 18th birthday. What’s more, it moved the teenager level with Jess Sigsworth as United Women’s leading career goalscorer – Lauren’s neat finish into the Liverpool net being (appropriately enough) her 18th goal for the Reds, from just 31 appearances (20 starts and 11 as sub).

4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0

Leah Galton

14(4) 3 1(1) 0 3(2) 1 18(7) 4

Mollie Green

14(4) 13 3 1 6 2 23(4) 16

Jackie Groenen

2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0

Kirsty Hanson

13(8) 6 2(1) 0 3(3) 0 18(12) 6

Martha Harris

13(3) 1

Lauren James

14(8) 15 0(3) 2 6 1 20(11) 18

3 0 4 0 20(3) 1

Hayley Ladd

4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0

Abbie McManus

3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0

Lotta Okvist

2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0

Emily Ramsey

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

Jane Ross

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

Jess Sigsworth 18(5) 17 3 0 6 1 27(5) 18 Kirsty Smith

16(3) 0 1(1) 0 5 0 22(4) 0

Ella Toone

19(5) 14

3

Amy Turner

18(2) 2

2 0 6 0 26(2) 2

1 0(6) 0 22(11) 15

Millie Turner

24 2 3 0 6 0 33 2

Katie Zelem

22 11 2 0 6 1 30 12

Manchester United Women v Manchester City Women 33

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LINE-UP

ATTENDANCE

SCORE

VENUE

KICK-OFF

OPPOSITION

DATE

FIXTURES & LINE-UPS

SEPTEMBER AUGUST 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

CC

Manchester City

12pm

Reading

12.30pm H

Sun 20

WSL Sun 27

3-0 x

1,299

Earps

Harris

A Turner

M Turner

Smith

H

NOVEMBER CC

Everton

12.30pm A

WSL Sun 17

Sun 3

Chelsea

2pm

A

CC

Leicester City

7.30pm

H

Brighton

12pm

H

WSL Sun 1

West Ham United

3pm

A

WSL Sun 8

Everton

12pm

H

CC

Birmingham City

7.30pm

A

Birmingham City

2pm

A

WSL Sun 5

Bristol City

12pm

H

WSL Sun 12

Liverpool

12pm

A

Thu 21

WSL Sun 24

DECEMBER

Wed 11

WSL Sun 15

JANUARY

CC 15/16 Quarter-final

WSL Sun 19

Tottenham Hotspur

H

FA

Round four

CC 29/30 Semi-final

Sun 26

12pm

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 FA

Sat 9

WSL Sat 16

Final

N

Birmingham City

H

TBC

CONTACT US via email

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

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

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Lad

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

Galton

A Turner

Hanson 1

James

Galton

Sigsworth

Ladd Zelem 1 • Toone

Galton

A Turner

Galton James

Hanson

James

Hanson

-

Hanson

-

Ladd

Zelem Groenen

FOLLOW US online

Facebook: manutdwomen

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Twitter: @manutdwomen

YouTube: /ManUtd

Toone

Ross 1

Instagram: @manutdwomen

15/10/2019 08:39

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 Mary EARPS (GK)

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MANCHESTER CITY WOMEN 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 27

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 24 25 26 28 34 35

Karen BARDSLEY (GK) Aoife MANNION Demi STOKES Gemma BONNER Megan CAMPBELL Steph HOUGHTON Laura COOMBS Jill SCOTT Pauline BREMER Georgia STANWAY Janine BECKIE Tyler TOLAND Emma BRADLEY (GK) Lauren HEMP Jess PARK LEE Geum-min Ellen WHITE Caroline WEIR Keira WALSH Tessa WULLAERT Ellie ROEBUCK (GK) Emma BISSELL Karima BENAMEUR (GK) Matilde FIDALGO

MATCH OFFICIALS: Referee Amy Fearn Assistants Stuart Morland, Lucy-Anne Briggs

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