Manchester United Women v Reading Women match programme WSL 27.10.19

01_MUW Cover.CGIM.indd 4 West Ham United

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 2019/20 SEASON • VOLUME 02 ISSUE 04

BARCLAYS FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE SUNDAY 27 OCTOBER 2019 KICK-OFF 12.30 pm

22/10/2019 12:01

WIN. RINSE. REPEAT.

Follow @KohlerUnited on

or visit KohlerUnited.com

CONTENTS

WELCOME Last Sunday was fun, wasn’t it? Two brilliant goals, another clean sheet and a much-deserved win against our Manchester rivals – played out in front of over 4,000 supporters.

As well as all that, we enjoyed the sight of so many young Reds high-fiving Jess Sigsworth as our scorer walked around the perimeter of the pitch following her second-half substitution – just one uplifting moment from a memorable day.

After hearing from the head coach (p4) you can relive the action on the pitch from the derby on p7, before the focus turns to today’s WSL meeting with Kelly Chambers’ Reading (p30). It’s certainly a big day for United goalkeeper Mary Earps, as she goes up against some old friends at her former club, and the England stopper is our big interview (p20). From trying her hand at German and judo, to her Champions League aspirations here at United, Mary is one determined character. Let’s go!

p4

Casey Stoney column

p7

Derby day match 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

p12 MU Foundation

Martin Edwards

Honorary president

p15 Fred’s fan zone/gallery p20 Mary Earps exclusive p27 Siobhan Chamberlain p30 Today’s opposition

PROGRAMME TEAM Editor Charlie Ghagan Editor-in-chief Ian McLeish Contributors Harriet Drudge, Feargal Brennan, Siobhan

p33 Player and team statistics

Chamberlain, Michael Plant Design Anthony Moore Photography Ash Donelon, John & Matt Peters, Richard Roberts, Getty, PA Thanks to Haylee Howe, Tom Holmes / Reading FC, John Shiel / MuPrint.com © Manchester United 2019

Manchester United Women v Brighton Hove Albion

03_contents.CGIM.indd 4

22/10/2019 12:07

HEAD COACH

CASEY STONEY THE HEAD COACH’S COLUMN

The team executed the game plan superbly against City, and if we can show the same level of discipline today, we’ll have a great chance of more success Hello and welcome back to Leigh Sports Village, where this afternoon we host Reading in the WSL. Both teams come into this match in good form. We are three wins from three with three clean sheets, and Kelly Chambers’ side arrive having won four of their last five.

We played each other twice last season and though both ended in defeat for us, the matches were close and we took positives from them. We know how good a side Reading are. They have masses of experience, are very adaptable, and with Fara Williams in such great form her name is definitely one I’ve circled to be wary of! We are going to have to be at our very best again to get a result.

As ever, though, our priority focus is on what we do.

Though there will always be things we can improve on week-to-week, to be where we are, beating Manchester City just 15 months into our journey, shows that we are doing the right things. I take real confidence from that.

I said to the players before the match last week that they have to start believing they belong at this level, representing this great club. I also reminded them of this

before kick-off: I hand-picked every single one of them – none of the players in the squad were given to me.

Against City, they trusted the game plan and executed it perfectly. They denied them opportunities in our final third, got into excellent positions in theirs and were clinical when chances came. The second goal was outstanding and our game management when they went down to 10 was brilliant.

As a group, we are always talking about belief. It’s such a huge part of the game – and not just for the players.

I need to back myself and believe in what I’m delivering to them. I’m 15 months into my journey too – my first as a head coach – and I’m learning all the time: what the players need from me, how I can have the best impact and influence on them as players and as people, challenging them, supporting them, improving them.

We’ve come such a long way and we’re still heading in the right direction.

Long may that continue.

Enjoy the game.

04 Manchester United Women v Reading FC Women

04_05_casey_column.CGIM.indd 4 West Ham United

22/10/2019 12:08

HEAD COACH

Y

ow ss

“I SAID TO THE PLAYERS BEFORE THE MATCH LAST WEEK THAT THEY HAVE TO START BELIEVING THEY BELONG AT THIS LEVEL, REPRESENTING THIS GREAT CLUB”

Manchester United Women v Brighton Hove Albion 08

04_05_casey_column.CGIM.indd 5

22/10/2019 12:08

Mancheste

LAST TIME AT LSV

MATCH CENTRE Groenen takes control of the midfield in the early stages of the tie

• Zelem sets Reds on our way to famous derby win • Three points makes for perfect start in League Cup Pure joy as Zelem finds the City net

Ladd stands strong for the hosts

KEY STATISTICS MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN 2 MANCHESTER CITY WOMEN 0 SUNDAY 20 OCTOBER, LEIGH SPORTS VILLAGE Scorers: Zelem (7), Sigsworth (55) Attendance: 4,042 Referee: Amy Fearn United line-up: Earps; A Turner, McManus, M Turner, Harris; Ladd, Zelem, Groenen (Toone 78); Hanson (Arnot 71), Sigsworth (Ross 62), Galton. Subs not used: Mikalsen, Okvist, Green, Williams

Walsh sees red for City after a strong challenge on Hanson

Manchester United Women earned a first-ever victory over Manchester City Women last Sunday, when Casey Stoney’s Reds won 2-0 at home in the Continental League Cup. Katie Zelem and Jess Sigsworth scored the vital goals for the Reds, in what was our maiden home clash against our local rivals, played out in front of 4,042 fans – the second-highest home crowd in the Reds’ short history.

It didn’t take long for Stoney’s side to go ahead in front of the big crowd here at Leigh Sports Village.

Following Leah Galton’s mazy dribble and shot in the sixth minute, the ball fell to Hayley Ladd, who was fouled on the edge of the box.

From the subsequent free-kick, Zelem stepped up and – under the watchful eye of the England manager Phil Neville – the Reds’ skipper curled a superb effort past City goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck.

City’s 20-year-old stopper was at full stretch but still couldn’t get anywhere near the inch-perfect shot, which was greeted by a jubilant cheer from our home support.

It proved to be one of the few real chances in the first half-hour. Nevertheless, our midfield three of Ladd, Zelem and Jackie Groenen were pulling the strings from the centre of the park, ensuring the majority of the play ⊲ Manchester United Women v Reading FC Women 07

07_08_match_centre.CGIM.indd 4

22/10/2019 12:09

LAST TIME AT LSV

“TO TURN THE CITY RED, IT’S AMAZING! CITY ARE A TOP SIDE, TO BEAT THEM GIVES US GREAT MOMENTUM”– JESS SIGSWORTH

McManus takes the ball to safety against her former club

THE BIG NUMBERS

3

9.4

Number of clean sheets in our last three games (2-0, 3-0, 2-0)

Total attendance, in thousands, from our first three home games (9,385)

2

19

Seven goals into our ’19/20 campaign, Zelem became the first player to net twice

Goals scored by Jess Sigsworth – our all-time top scorer – in 35 games

took place in the opposition half. The current League Cup holders did grow in stature towards the end of the first period, however, with Caroline Weir and Lauren Hemp looking the biggest threats.

When the next chance did come it was courtesy of United’s Kirsty Hanson. She picked the ball up on the right and after cutting inside, she unleashed a great curling effort which was palmed over by Roebuck.

It took until injury-time in the first half for City to create their first significant chance of the game, but Megan Campbell’s stooping header, from a corner, flew high over Mary Earps and the United crossbar.

The start of the second period saw City have long spells of possession without mustering much in the way of scoring opportunities.

United looked more potent in front of goal and after 55 minutes, the lead was doubled in superb fashion.

Hanson flew down the right wing and delivered a well-timed cross into Sigsworth. The Reds’ no.9 reacted like the arch poacher she is, and from just a few yards out she tucked the ball into the City net: 2-0.

The visitors’ day went from bad to worse when Keira Walsh was dismissed after 65 minutes, for a poor tackle on Hanson. The England international lunged in at the winger and received a straight red card from the referee.

With the extra player, United enjoyed the majority of the ball in the latter stages of the game and further reduced City’s capacity to create chances.

Jill Scott could have expected to do better with a header 10 minutes from time, but she failed to get a clean connection on the ball from just a few yards out. Leah Galton tested Roebuck soon after, with Amy Turner heading over from the subsequent corner.

City defender Gemma Bonner offered a late threat on the Reds’ goal, but her header looped wide of Earps’ far post, much to the delight of the home support.

In the final moments, Stoney’s players used all their professionalism to see out the game and earn a famous victory against a City side who lost just one domestic game in the entirety of last season. The victory was also the perfect start for United in our five-team League Cup group, with three points secured in Group C.

08 Manchester United Women v Reading FC Women

07_08_match_centre.CGIM.indd 5

22/10/2019 12:09

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

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

CAPTAIN

KATIE ZELEM THE CAPTAIN’S COLUMN

Last weekend’s win meant so much to every one of us, and here’s hoping for more 10-player bundles from the girls today as we face another talented side...

What a feeling to win our first home derby! And to get on the scoresheet was an incredible feeling too – though when you end up at the bottom of a 10-player bundle, you’re thinking to yourself that the knee slide to celebrate perhaps wasn’t the best idea!

Joking aside, it was a great result and brilliant team performance. We competed well in the first match at the Etihad but now we know we can win these matches.

That’s huge for us. And that goal celebration just shows you how much it meant to all of us. It didn’t matter who scored it, it would have been the same.

“CASEY AND THE STAFF TEAM IDENTIFIED WHERE WE COULD PUNISH CITY... AS A GROUP ON THE PITCH WE DID JUST THAT”

All credit to Casey and the staff team, they identified where we could punish City and as a group on the pitch we did just that. My message to the girls before the match was to keep it simple, do the things we know we can do well. We took our chances this time around and the match was ours for the taking and leaves us in a really strong position in our League Cup group.

Now we want to take that momentum with us into the league. Reading are here today and have the most capped player in England in their squad. Fara Williams is a brilliant player and someone I’ve played with so I know just how good she is. We will absolutely have to try to keep her out of the game as much as possible.

We faced them twice last season and lost both matches. We have improved significantly since then, and if we execute our game plan as well as we did against Manchester City last week, I’m confident we can pick up the three points this afternoon and make it four wins from four.

Manchester United Women v Reading FC Women 11

11_captain_column.CGIM.indd 4

22/10/2019 12:09

MU FOUNDATION

ENGAGE

⬤

INSPIRE

⬤

UNITE

SUPPORTING STREET REDS There were tricks, flicks and smiles aplenty when two members of the United men’s team paid a surprise visit to a Foundation-run session...

United men’s team midfielders Scott McTominay and Angel Gomes dropped in on a group of young people in Stockport recently to take part in their community football training session.

Participants at Manchester United Foundation’s Street Reds programme at Werneth School were attending their usual Friday-night session when they were joined by the members of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad.

McTominay, 22, and Gomes, 19, took part in various football drills and games with the children before posing for photos and signing autographs.

After the event, which was filmed for last Sunday’s repeat broadcast of BBC’s Match of the Day, the midfield duo were happy to discuss how much they had enjoyed meeting the kids.

“It’s amazing to be here,” said Scott.

“When you see the smiles on their faces, especially the little ones, it’s brilliant to see.

That’s the main thing when you’re a young kid, to enjoy it, and it translates straight through to the first team.”

Scott’s United team-mate, Angel (pictured inset), added: “I was once the star-struck kid when I saw players when I was young, so to be that person now is special, and I love to meet young fans whenever I have the chance.”

Each year, Match of the Day offers every Premier League club the chance to showcase a community initiative. The Foundation’s Street Reds programme aims to use the power of football to give young people the

High-fives all round from Scott on the Werneth School football pitch

opportunity to pursue their interest in playing, leading and coaching. The initiative, adapted from Premier League Kicks and part-funded by the PL Charitable Fund and Stockport Youth Offending Service, runs 48 weeks of the year and takes place at 11 sites.

The Foundation’s community engagement manager, Philippa Harrison, said: “Street Reds is an engagement opportunity for young people to take part in an evening activity, in a safe environment that’s also fun. To see the participants’ faces was fantastic.”

As well as Street Reds, the Foundation offers the free sessions and alternative activities for young people aged 8-18, which provide youngsters with the opportunities to learn new skills in a supportive, positive environment.

Keep an eye out on MU Foundation’s YouTube channel to see the Street Reds session

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WORK OF MANCHESTER UNITED FOUNDATION, HEAD TO MUFOUNDATION.ORG 12 Manchester United Women v Reading FC Women

12_foundation.CGIM.indd 4

22/10/2019 12:09

DON’T MISS A GAME

THIS SEASON BUY TICKETS: MANUTD.COM/MUWTICKETS

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

BarclaysFootball

@BarclaysFooty

Barclays Bank UK PLC. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register number 759676). Registered in England. Registered number 9740322. Registered office: 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP.

KIDS’ QUIZ

FRED’S FAN Z ON E The eyes have the answers in part one of our quiz, and then there’s a spot-the-ball test!

CLOSE-UPS! Can you tell which MU Women players we’ve zoomed in on here? Write their names below each image...

1

2

3 D

A B

C

ZEL’S ON THE SPOT! We love this pic of Katie Zelem’s penalty against Liverpool in our last home WSL game – but can you remember where the ball hit the back of the net?

Answers: Close-ups! 1. Ella Toone; 2. Millie Turner; 3. Amy Turner; Zel’s on the spot! C

Manchester United Women v Reading FC Women 15

15_kids.CGIM.indd 4

22/10/2019 12:09

FAN PHOTOS

RE DS ’ GA LL ERY

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

#8 Here’s Ben, with Mary Earps! Ben can be anxious in crowds, but he always feels at home cheering on the Reds. Love from big sis, Emily.

A big hello to 10-year-old Aimee, a ­season ticket holder from Chester who attended her first game against Liverpool – and got to chat to Kirsty!

TAKE FIVE WITH...

MOLLIE GREEN Who I’m following...

I love The Body Coach.

I like to follow anything based around fitness or well-being.

Making me laugh...

Mary Earps – she has my type of humour, which is rare.

This is Hermione, aged 8, with her no.1 player. Hermione and her Stockport Dynamoes team-mates had a top day out as we faced City.

United fan Carl and daughter Ellie (pictured) were interviewed by a Dutch newspaper as they waited for this great pic with Jackie Groenen!

Where I’m going...

I’m a real coffee lover so discovering new quirky places is a hobby. I’ve ticked most of Manchester off!

Who’s inspiring...

Katarina Johnson-Thompson. I used to train alongside her at Liverpool Harriers so seeing her do well is amazing and exactly what she deserves.

What I’m watching...

Manchester Girls FC are a Salford-based development club, and some of the younger girls got a first taste of derby day last week!

Here’s another great photo of two young United Women fans, pictured with our new midfielder Hayley Ladd: Emily (aged 9), and Ben (aged 6).

Power. Me and Martha are watching it. I always want to watch the next episode but I have to wait for her!

16 Manchester United Women v Reading FC Women

16_gallery.CGIM.indd 4

22/10/2019 12:10

DO WNLOAD THE ADIDAS APP NO W

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

30520_art_adidas_MUFC_Hardwired_United 1 30520_art_adidas_MUFC_Hardwired_United Review_Advert_210x240mm.indd Review_Advert_210x240mm.indd 1

29/07/2019 15:

SNAPSHOT

JESS LOSES HER HEAD! Our no.9 Jess Sigsworth can’t contain her delight after her clinical close-range finish put United 2-0 up in the Manchester derby. It was a first goal of the season for the Reds’ record scorer, who celebrated in typical Siggy style. “When it comes to scoring, I can be a mad-head!” she told us last year. “I forget everything else.”

More of the same today, please...

18 Manchester United Women v Reading FC Women

18_19_BIG PICTURE.CGIM.indd 4

22/10/2019 12:11

SNAPSHOT

Manchester United Women v Reading FC Women 19

18_19_BIG PICTURE.CGIM.indd 5

22/10/2019 12:11

INTERVIEW

MARY EARPS PROFILE: Date of birth 7 March 1993 Place of birth Nottingham Position Goalkeeper United record 5 apps; 3 clean sheets Previous clubs: 2009-10 Leicester City 2010-11 Nottingham Forest 2011-12 Doncaster Rovers Belles 2011 Coventry City (loan) 2013 Birmingham City 2014-15 Bristol City 2016-18 Reading 2018-19 Wolfsburg International career England (7 caps, 0 goals)

07 Manchester United Women v Brighton Hove

20_25_interview.CGIM.indd 4

22/10/2019 12:40

O

INTERVIEW

“I SAVED A PENALTY AS A KID...

IT WAS TOO M UCH

OF A B U Z Z

FOR ME TO TU RN DOWN!” Mary Earps caught the goalkeeping bug from a very young age, and as the 26-year-old prepares to face her former club, she insists her biggest ambition has yet to be realised...

Four months into your United career, how happy are you with your decision to move to the club?

I’m chuffed! It’s been a good start to the season, both personally and collectively, and we’ve put in some really good performances and fought really hard. That’s the type of team I want to play for. So I’m really happy.

How have you enjoyed working with Casey Stoney, as well as your new coaches and team-mates?

My main relationship is obviously with Willco [Ian Willcock] as goalkeeping coach, but Casey is the manager and she lets me know what she wants from me, and from the back five in general – how we can support each other to make the team as defensively strong as possible. But I like that she gives me the freedom to make decisions and to express myself on the pitch. Casey trusts us all, which is the most refreshing thing. The players have

been great too. I didn’t know many beforehand, to be honest – Abbie [with England], I had a season with Hayley at Bristol, and obviously I’d played against quite a few previously, including Casey before she retired.

There’s certainly competition between the sticks at the club right now. What’s it like to be part of such a big ‘goalkeepers’ union’?

The goalkeepers’ union is a unique group – you’re competing for one position but at the same time you have to drive standards. You don’t have to be best friends but you need to be able to work together and we’ve got a really good atmosphere in the group alongside Willco.

Obviously Fran and Rambo have been injured, and Aurora arrived a bit later, but I’m looking forward to seeing them in full flow as the season progresses. We demand a lot from each other. And of course, Siobhan is still one of us, although she’s not out on the pitch for obvious reasons! ⊲

“I LIKE THAT CASEY GIVES ME FREEDOM TO MAKE DECISIONS AND EXPRESS MYSELF ON THE PITCH... SHE TRUSTS US ALL” Manchester United Women v Reading FC Women 21

20_25_interview.CGIM.indd 5

22/10/2019 12:40

Mancheste

INTERVIEW

You had a solid debut away to City seven weeks ago. Having just come from the World Cup finals, did that help you feel comfortable playing in front of such a big crowd that day?

With the game growing so much, big crowds like that are more familiar now. After the City game, I played for England at Middlesbrough – it’s happening more frequently, and it’s such a great buzz to see so many people supporting you; it gives you that extra kick. Hopefully the women’s game will keep going from strength to strength, and United is a club known for its big support. I really hope we can keep pushing the crowds higher at Leigh. It’s such a performance booster, and intimidating for opponents.

Mary was named in the PFA WSL Team of the Year while at Reading in 2016/17...

The United fans have a cracking chant for you – how much of a boost does it give you to hear that?

Yeah, I’ve heard it a few times, as have friends and family.

It gives you a great buzz and I’ve really enjoyed the home games so far. I love wearing this badge and it makes you want to put in a performance to make the fans proud.

As a new player it can be difficult to settle in at first, so to have the fans embrace you so quickly means a lot.

I really hope they’re calling my name for a long time!

We were all gutted after the last-gasp loss to Arsenal on your home debut, but that defeat must have hurt you as much as anyone considering what a superb game you had...

I’d say that was my most complete United performance in terms of distribution, crosses and shots – often in a game you’re restricted to one particular area depending on the strengths of the opposition, so you don’t get a mash of everything, but I did against Arsenal. It was my first game at home so I’ll remember that night for a long time.

...before she went on to be part of Wolfsburg’s 2018/19 double-winning squad

Tell us about your two seasons with today’s opponents Reading – how do you look back on your time there and what made you move on?

For the most part I had a great time, with great people, and I’m still friends with people there. But I also felt that we got up to fourth [in 2017/18], then Wolfsburg came knocking and when one of the best clubs in the world asks you to join them, it’s a massive compliment. It soon became clear it was a move I really wanted to make – I wanted to get experience in a team with so many great players, that could potentially win the Champions League.

That didn’t work out when I was there – we drew Lyon in the quarters, which really did feel like it should have been the final that year – but we still did the double, so it was an unbelievable season on all fronts.

22 Manchester United Women v Reading FC Women

20_25_interview.CGIM.indd 6

22/10/2019 12:40

INTERVIEW

Did you pick up much of the language out in Germany? And did you get to face and watch Jackie Groenen at Frankfurt?

No! I played against Frankfurt in a friendly but she was injured, and so I only met her when she came here. I can understand the language better than I can speak it, but it’s really hard. I want to continue German lessons, and I even put a tweet out asking for recommendations, but people thought that was a message that I wanted to go back to Germany, so that backfired! [Laughs].

Our no.27 was kept busy on her home debut against the champions, and she put in a superb display

“AS A NEW PLAYER IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO SETTLE IN, SO TO HAVE THE FANS EMBRACE YOU SO QUICKLY MEANS A LOT” How did the game in Germany compare to your experiences in the WSL with Doncaster Rovers Belles, Birmingham, Bristol City and Reading?

The WSL is definitely growing year on year, and it’s a league that internationally more people are looking to come to, but in terms of comparison the Bundesliga has been set up just that little bit longer, and I could sense that when I was there. It’s definitely been different coming back to the WSL, but prior to that, the structure of the league was just a bit more efficient in Germany.

The WSL is not far off now, though. With the quality of the players and the investment into the game, it won’t be long until the WSL is up there as one of the best one or two leagues in the world. And it’s exciting to think about English teams competing in the Champions League and winning it – that’s why I joined United, to win that Champions League trophy in five to six years’ time.

As well as your excellent shot-stopping, Casey has praised your confidence with the ball at your feet.

Have you always been good with your feet, or is that something you’ve worked more on in recent years as the keeper’s role has evolved?

It’s something I’ve always liked to do. Even as a kid playing in goal with my brother in the garden, I always liked to touch the ball with my feet. But definitely now, considering how the game has evolved, the goalkeeper’s role is a really important part of the possession game.

If I can help influence our attacks in positive way by getting our players further up the pitch and taking more opponents out of the game, I absolutely want to do that.

It sounds like you were wearing the gloves from a very early age. Have you ever played outfield – and have you ever scored a goal?!

I always wanted to be a keeper. I saved a penalty in one of my first games as a kid and never looked back. It was too much of a buzz for me to turn down. I have scored though, yes, on the odd occasion I was allowed to play outfield in my grassroots days. Once when I was at Leicester, it was my birthday so they let me play out for the second half. I ran around like a headless chicken! I enjoyed whacking the ball, but I don’t think I’d be much use now.

Who were your goalkeeping heroes growing up?

On the men’s side I loved [Iker] Casillas, [Pepe] Reina, ⊲

Manchester United Women v Reading FC Women 23

20_25_interview.CGIM.indd 7

22/10/2019 12:40

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

Barclays Bank UK PLC is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register No. 759676). Registered in England.

Registered No. 9740322. Registered Office: 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP. Item Ref: 9916727_UK. July 2019.

Untitled-1.indd 10

30/08/2019 09:38

INTERVIEW

Earps was one of three goalkeepers in England’s World Cup squad this summer, alongside Karen Bardsley and Carly Telford

[Joe] Hart, [Manuel] Neuer – they all had strengths, and you’d try and learn from all of them. You’d obviously take the best from each one if you could, to be the complete goalkeeper! [Hugo] Lloris is another I continue to watch for his agility, and Neuer’s a real sweeper-keeper, so you watch and study, and hope you can take something from them. On the women’s side, the best I’ve ever seen was Hope Solo. She definitely left her mark in many different ways.

Loughborough University business studies graduate Mary looks to USA legend Solo as one of her sporting heroes

“MY MUM AND DAD THREW ME INTO AS MANY ACTIVITIES AS POSSIBLE – THAT’S PART OF THE REASON WHY I AM HOW I AM”

How are you enjoying Manchester as a city?

Manchester’s a really good city. I’d not spent a lot of time in it before – my clubs were further south – so I didn’t know what to expect. But I’ve really enjoyed exploring it, going to different coffee shops, having brunch with the girls on our day off, going to the cinema... I’m easily pleased doing the simple things. When I’m at home, I watch football constantly – that’s how I grew up, watching the game in the pub with my dad!

– although they don’t count as sports! My mum and dad were keen to throw me into as many activities as possible, and I think that’s part of the reason why I am how I am. Some players feel embarrassed about shouting on the pitch, or even just communicating because everyone can hear you, but I’ve never had that issue.

Dancing on stage would probably be my idea of hell if I’d never done it, but when you’ve done a song and dance to Pop Goes the Weasel at a festival as a kid, it becomes less of a thing, just like shouting on the football pitch!

We hear football isn’t your only sporting talent...

I was a junior black belt at judo, plus I did dancing, swimming, badminton, I played the piano and clarinet

A black belt at judo – just like Jackie Groenen...

That girl says she’s good at everything I’m good at, but I definitely think I’d beat her in a fight [laughs]!

Manchester United Women v Reading FC Women 25

20_25_interview.CGIM.indd 8

22/10/2019 12:40

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!

Find your nearest centre at

TheFA.com/SSEWildcats

SIOBHAN CHAMBERLAIN

SHIV’S Just to be here on derby day was a special feeling, and seven days on it’s great to be back, this time to face a team we got to know well last season I’ve barely had time Last season’s home game to catch my breath against Reading will live long in the memory since my last column, with the big games coming thick and fast.

After the international break at the start of this month, when a number of the girls were away, it’s nice to be properly back in the full flow of club fixtures, with today being the third of four straight Sundays when the team has a game on.

I’ve got to say what a great feeling it was to win the derby – especially considering how well we played against City just a few weeks ago, only to take nothing from that WSL fixture. Of course I’d have loved to have been out there on Sunday playing in front of over 4,000 of you fans, but just to witness such an occasion was a brilliant feeling and I thought the team fully deserved the win. It was always going to be a tough game but I was surprised at how well we controlled it.

It’s easy to recognise the 14 players out on the pitch but it truly is the whole playing staff – and the coaches too – who contribute to a result like that. As I saw for myself in the days leading up to it, so much hard work went in to prepare. That’s the reason we’re starting to see these great results – 2-0 v Liverpool, 3-0 v Spurs and 2-0 v City – and long may that run continue. Scorelines like that don’t

get any better for a keeper, I know that much!

As we saw for ourselves last season, stopping Reading from scoring is no easy feat. We didn’t have much luck against Kelly Chambers’ side last season, but the game here at Leigh is one I’ll always remember: Our first ever home game, a crowd of close to 5,000, and plenty of noise throughout – although it’s fair to say you fans have come up with a few new songs since that day!

Today might have a different feel to it – I can’t imagine anyone getting the sun cream out, and we’ll do well to match that attendance – but the stakes are definitely higher. Reading are an established top-half side in the WSL, and if we’re going to keep ourselves close to the teams at the very top, these are the games we need three points from – clean sheet or no clean sheet!

I’m told that next week’s ‘Team United’ activity is topical – Spooky World, which I’ll tell you about next time. Being pregnant, I can’t get involved in this one (I’m secretly glad about that... I think Amy and Lizzie wished they had an excuse too when they found out what it was!). As ever with these days, it’s about doing something outside your comfort zone, which in this case means haunted houses and being chased with chainsaws. Happy Halloween!

Manchester United Women v Reading FC Women 27

27_Shiv_diary.CGIM.indd 4

22/10/2019 12:37

PLAYER PROFILES

MEET THE 2019/20 SQUAD Today we profile one of our seven new signings – the midfielder in the no.14 shirt...

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 Reading FC Women

28_29_the_squad (Groenen).CGIM.indd 4

22/10/2019 12:36

PLAYER PROFILES

8

10

12

14

MOLLIE GREEN

KATIE ZELEM

HAYLEY LADD

JACKIE GROENEN

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

Position Midfield DOB 17/12/1994 Nationality Dutch

7

9

11

ELLA TOONE

JESSICA SIGSWORTH

LEAH GALTON

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

Back in the team for our last two games following injury, the World Cup finalist already looks destined to become a major player for the Reds. An intelligent presence on the ball as she looks to dictate the midfield play, Jackie also has WSL experience, having spent 16 months with Chelsea prior to her 2015 move to Frankfurt in the women’s Bundesliga.

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 Reading FC Women 29

28_29_the_squad (Groenen).CGIM.indd 5

22/10/2019 12:36

OPPOSITION

The Royals left it late to claim victory last weekend in the Continental League Cup, with their winner against Lewes coming in the 90th minute

TODAY’S VISITORS

READING

Top-half finishers in the last two WSL campaigns, the Royals have started 2019/20 in fine fettle, but Stoney’s Reds have some scores to settle today...

Twice victors against Casey Stoney’s United last season – once in the Continental League Cup, once in the FA Cup – both teams approach today’s maiden league match-up in good form, having won three in a row in all competitions.

After finishing fifth in the WSL last season (albeit 13 points behind fourth-placed Birmingham), head coach Kelly Chambers had a busy summer behind the scenes as she bolstered her squad with a trio of Norwegians: defender Kristine Leine and forward Amalie Eikeland (from Norwegian sides Roa and Sandviken, respectively), along with fellow forward Lisa-Marie Karlseng Utland, from Swedish side Rosengard. Welsh international midfielder Angharad James also joined the ranks, with all four recruits already seeing much action within Chambers’ reasonably settled starting XI. Leine has slotted into a defensive unit that also includes Scottish international Sophie Howard,

with Mayumi ‘Maz’ Pacheco and Rachel Rowe either side at full-back, and Grace Moloney in goal – the Royals’ no.1 having impressed between the sticks since the departure of Mary Earps to Wolfsburg in June 2018.

OPTIONS IN THE MIDDLE Chambers has tinkered a bit more with her formation in the middle of the park, with James and Jade Moore often

WILLIAMS POSSESSES ALL THE KNOW-HOW TO DROP DEEP SHOULD THE VISITORS BECOME OUTNUMBERED IN THE MIDDLE

30 Manchester United Women v Reading FC Women

30_31_oppo.CGI M.indd 4

22/10/2019 12:46

d y...

E

E E

OPPOSITION

Williams signed a new contract this summer, with England boss Phil Neville insisting she could yet add to her 172 caps

deployed in front of the backline. The return of Remi Allen has given the boss another option in this area, however, and could result in a reshuffle this afternoon on account of Allen’s ability to maintain possession away from home.

Should the ex-Birmingham player get the nod over current England international Moore, expect to see Fara Williams advance forward whenever possible – although the vastly experienced 35-year-old (scorer of a hat-trick in last weekend’s League Cup win against Lewes and England’s most capped player) possesses all the know-how to drop deep should the visitors become outnumbered in the middle.

Natasha Harding (see right) filled in as right-back in Reading’s last WSL game – a 3-2 home win against Everton – but she’s expected to return to her usual role to the right of the attack. On the left, Chambers will pick between Brooke Chaplen and Millie Farrow, with both seeing game time already this season. If Chaplen gets the nod, the focus will be on her looking to cut inside to create chances; if it’s Farrow, she’ll look to mirror the play of Harding on the opposite flank by using her pace to charge down the line.

Up front, Eikeland is likely to lead the line.

Despite not yet scoring in five appearances for the Royals, the Norwegian international – who lined up against England at the World Cup in France – gives her team a focal point in attack, and can be difficult to handle from set-pieces.

30_31_oppo.CGI M.indd 5

ONE TO WATCH NATASHA HARDING

THE MANAGER KELLY CHAMBERS

Caerphilly-born Harding was named Reading’s captain at the start of 2019/20, following the retirement of defender Kirsty Pearce, with Chambers looking to utilise the Welsh international’s experience. Having started out at Cardiff, in 2012 she moved on to Bristol City (then Bristol Academy), with stints at Manchester City and Liverpool following ahead of her 2017 transfer to Reading. Her role for the Royals has been more about supplying goals than finding the target, and United’s left-back could be in for a busy 90 minutes.

As one of the WSL’s most experienced managers, Chambers has racked up over 100 top-flight games as Reading boss since 2014. Previously captain of the team before an anterior cruciate ligament injury ended her playing career in 2012, her role is now all-encompassing off the pitch, combining the day-to-day of first-team duties with the role of director of football. Her longevity has allowed her to become of one the WSL’s leading voices on league expansion, financial support for clubs and grassroots development.

22/10/2019 12:46

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

17600_THE_FA_PLAYER_ASSET_CREATION PROGRAMME ADVERTS 170_X_228_V5.indd 9

27/08/2019 16:36

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

Mary Earps

4 0 0 0 1 0 5 0

Leah Galton

4 0 0 0 1 0 5 0

Jackie Groenen

2 0 0 0 1 0 3 0

Martha Harris

1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0

1 Manchester City 4 4 0 0 7 12

Kirsty Hanson

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

2 Chelsea

4 3 1 0 6 10

Lauren James

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

3 Arsenal

4 3 0 1 5 9

Hayley Ladd

4 0 0 0 1 0 5 0

4 Manchester United 4 2 0 2 3 6

Abbie McManus

3 0 0 0 1 0 4 0

5 Everton

Lotta Okvist

4 2 0 2 1 6

2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0

6 West Ham United 4 2 0 2 0 6

Jane Ross

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

7 Reading

Jess Sigsworth

3(1) 0 0 0 1 1 4(1) 1

3 2 0 1 0 6

8 Tottenham Hotspur 4 2 0 2 -1 6

Kirsty Smith

9 Brighton

4 0 2 2 -6 2

Ella Toone

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

10 Bristol City

4 0 2 2 -6 2

Amy Turner

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

11 Liverpool

4 0 1 3 -4 1

Millie Turner

4 0 0 0 1 0 5 0

12 Birmingham City

3 0 0 3 -5 0

Katie Zelem

4 1 0 0 1 1 5 2

CONTINENTAL LEAGUE CUP GROUP C

Teams

L

Pns GD Pts

3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0

UNITED CAREER APPEARANCES/GOALS

P

W

1 Birmingham City

2

2 0 0/0 +5 6

Player

App Gls App Gls App Gls App Gls

2 Manchester City

2

1 1 0/0 +3 3

League

FA Cup

League Cup

Total

Lizzie Arnot

12(5) 6 1(1) 0 3(3) 1 16(9) 7

3 Manchester United 1 1 0 0/0 2 3

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

2 0 2 0/0 -9 0

Mary Earps

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

LEAGUE CUP RUN GOES ON FOR QUARTET Sunday’s win against City saw Jess Sigsworth, Amy Turner, Millie Turner and Katie Zelem maintain their 100 per cent appearance record with the Reds in the Continental League Cup, with the latter three playing every minute of all seven games we’ve played in the competition.

Ella Toone, meanwhile, kept up her run of coming off the bench in all seven ties, dating back to our 1-0 win at Liverpool in August 2018.

4 0 0 0 1 0 5 0

Leah Galton

14(4) 3 1(1) 0 4(2) 1 19(7) 4

Mollie Green

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

Jackie Groenen Kirsty Hanson

2 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 13(8) 6 2(1) 0 4(3) 0 19(12) 6

Martha Harris

13(3) 1

Lauren James

14(8) 15 0(3) 2

3 0 5 0 21(3) 1 6

1 20(11) 18

Hayley Ladd

4 0 0 0 1 0 5 0

Abbie McManus

3 0 0 0 1 0 4 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(1) 0 2(2) 1

Jess Sigsworth 18(5) 17 3 0 7 2 28(5) 19 Kirsty Smith

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

Ella Toone

19(5) 14

Amy Turner

18(2) 2 2 0 7 0 27(2) 2

Millie Turner

24 2 3 0 7 0 34 2

Katie Zelem

22 11 2 0 7 2 31 13

3

1 0(7) 0 22(12) 15

Manchester United Women v Reading FC Women 33

33_app stats.CGIM.indd 4

22/10/2019 12:26

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

3-0 x

1,299

Earps

Harris

A Turner

M Turner

Smith

Lad

CC

Manchester City

12pm

2-0

4,042

Earps

A Turner

McManus

M Turner

Harris

Lad

Reading

12.30pm H

Sun 20

WSL Sun 27

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

CONTACT US via email

34_35 season statsIM.indd 4 West Ham United

TBC

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

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

22/10/2019 12:25

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

FOLLOW US online

34_35 season statsIM.indd 5

Hanson 1

Hanson

Facebook: manutdwomen

Sigsworth 1

Galton Galton

Twitter: @manutdwomen

Sigsworth Ross

Toone

Arnot

YouTube: /ManUtd

Ross 1 Toone

Instagram: @manutdwomen

22/10/2019 12:25

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)

36_MUW back cover.CGIM.indd 4 West Ham United

READING FC 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 8 9 10 11 14 15 16 18 19 22 23 26 27 29 31

Grace MOLONEY (GK) Kristine LEINE Mayumi PACHECO Fara WILLIAMS Molly BARTRIP Angharad JAMES Remi ALLEN Amalie EIKELAND Lauren BRUTON Natasha HARDING Millie FARROW Rakel HONNUDOTTIR Lisa-Marie KARLSENG UTLAND Jade MOORE Brooke CHAPLEN Jo POTTER Rachel ROWE Sophie HOWARD Rachael LAWS (GK) Kiera SKEELS Bethan ROBERTS

MATCH OFFICIALS: Referee Helen Conley Assistants Paul Ince, Alex James • Fourth official Richard Aspinall

22/10/2019 12:47