Manchester United Women v Tottenham Women match programme WSL 19.01.20

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OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 2019/20 SEASON • VOLUME 02 ISSUE 10

BARCLAYS FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE SUNDAY 19 JANUARY 2020 KICK-OFF 12pm

14/01/2020 22:09

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CONTENTS

WELCOME It’s another high noon in Leigh, as the Reds look to finally get off the mark in the WSL this year, following the disappointment of defeat to Bristol City and last Sunday’s postponement away to Liverpool.

Today’s programme kicks off with Casey Stoney’s column (p4), in which she focuses on the positives of her squad having had a rest weekend amid such a busy spell. Both the boss and captain (p9) are well aware of the threat posed by Spurs today, however, with the London club recruiting well in recent months.

You can read more on the opposition on p30, while today’s big interview is with the player who’s scored more goals than anyone against Tottenham for the Reds: forward Jess Sigsworth (p20).

Our powerful no.9 also pops up on our Foundation page (p10), Jess having joined Katie Zelem on a recent trip to the club’s Regional Talent Club (right).

Right, let’s go to work...

MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB Co-chairmen Joel Glazer, Avram Glazer Directors Bryan Glazer, Kevin Glazer, Edward Glazer, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz,

p4

Casey Stoney column

p7

News

Charlton, Sir Alex Ferguson,

p9

Katie Zelem column

Secretary Rebecca Britain

Ed Woodward, Richard Arnold, Michael Edelson, Sir Bobby David Gill CBE

p10 MU Foundation

Honorary president Martin Edwards

p13 Fred’s fan zone/gallery p20 Jess Sigsworth interview p27 Siobhan Chamberlain p30 Today’s opposition

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

p33 Player and team statistics

Sean Mullan, Harriet Drudge 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

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HEAD COACH

CASEY STONEY THE HEAD COACH’S COLUMN

We have to take the positives following last weekend’s postponement, as we strive to rediscover our pre-Christmas form in the Women’s Super League...

It’s good to get back to business in the league after our trip to Liverpool was postponed last weekend.

That was very frustrating, because we wanted to put right a few wrongs from the Bristol City performance.

Unfortunately, that’s two out of our previous three WSL fixtures we’ve had postponed. It’s disappointing because of all the work we put in during training beforehand, but there’s one thing we can’t control and that’s the weather.

We have to try and take the positives as it’s allowed us more time to get physically ready for our next games.

Off the pitch, Mollie Green has joined Sheffield United on loan recently. She’d had limited playing time with us, and it was really important we got her out to get some minutes, because the competition for places here is fierce.

As for today’s opponents, Tottenham had a positive result last time out against West Ham and have gone ahead of us in the table. They’ll come into this game with confidence and they’re very organised, with goals in their team. Gemma Davison is back fit now and they’ve signed Emma Mitchell on loan from Arsenal, so they’ve

strengthened in certain areas, but I also think Rachel Furness going to Liverpool was a big loss for them.

Karen Hills and Juan Amoros are a very experienced management team and deserve a lot of credit. I was saying to my staff recently what a brilliant job they’ve done. They’ve been together for many years, so they know the club inside out. There was a lot of recruitment required after being promoted with us and the change of going from part-time to full-time. They know their players very well and they’re getting results, so I think they have to be really pleased with what they’ve done so far this season.

We go into every game wanting to win but we can only focus on this one. We had a good run before Christmas that put us in a positive position and we want to get back to that. So we’ll go into this one determined to put in a good performance to give ourselves the best chance of going back above Spurs.

Thanks for your support – enjoy it today.

04 Manchester United Women v Tottenham Hotspur Women

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HEAD COACH

Y

e ...

“THERE’S ONE THING WE CAN’T CONTROL AND THAT’S THE WEATHER – BUT IT’S ALLOWED US MORE TIME TO GET PHYSICALLY READY FOR OUR NEXT GAMES” Manchester United Women v Brighton Hove Albion 08

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Mancheste

AND AFTER!

NEWS

NEWS ROUND-UP

GREEN LOANED TO BLADES Mollie joins Palmer in South Yorkshire for rest of season Manchester United’s Mollie Green has joined Sheffield United Women on loan for the remainder of the 2019/20 season.

The attacking midfielder has made 29 appearances in all competitions for the Reds since her arrival from Everton in the summer of 2018, scoring 16 goals – all of which came last season, with only Jess Sigsworth (18) and Lauren James (17) netting more for United in 2018/19.

With added competition for places in the Reds’ squad following a number of arrivals last summer, Mollie’s game time in the current campaign

has been limited to two starting appearances – in our Continental League Cup wins against Leicester and, most recently, Birmingham, in our final game of 2019 (right).

United head coach Casey Stoney said: “Mollie is a great talent and had a fantastic season with us last year.

“The competition for places is at such a high level this season but it’s important to get minutes on the pitch so this loan move will be really beneficial for her

Green made her Blades bow last Sunday

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

development. Sheffield United have been in great form and are currently battling for a place in the Super League so it’s a perfect opportunity for Mollie with her talent and experience.”

Mollie joins Reds team-mate and fellow midfielder Aimee Palmer at Sheffield United, with the pair both involved in last weekend’s top-of-the-table clash against Aston Villa. With Palmer starting the game for Carla Ward’s side, Green was introduced from the bench in the 74th minute on a day when the Villans edged a 1-0 win to leave them six points ahead of Sheffield United in the Championship.

As for Palmer (left), she has six goals in 16 games for the South Yorkshire club, following on from her 15 appearances for Stoney’s side in our promotion campaign.

Everyone at Manchester United wishes Mollie and Aimee the best of luck for the rest of the campaign.

LATER TIME FOR CHELSEA WSL GAME Home fixture to be televised

United’s next WSL home fixture, against Chelsea on Sunday 9 February, has been moved to a 4.30pm kick-off, with the game to be broadcast live by BT Sport.

The top-flight fixture will see Emma Hayes’s Blues face the Reds here for the first time, three months on from their inaugural meeting (above), at Chelsea’s Kingsmeadow home. The Londoners won that game 1-0 courtesy of a Maren Mjelde penalty, in a clash watched by 4,790 fans – a record for a WSL game held at a nonPremier League stadium.

Another big crowd is expected for the return fixture in front of the BT cameras here at Leigh Sports Village – as ever, tickets are £6/£3 at ManUtd.com/muwtickets, or 50p more on the gate.

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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

Much like us, Tottenham showed their willingness to get into the top flight last season, and you can see why they’ve been winning games recently...

Good afternoon. It’s an important one for us today as we return to WSL action. Tottenham have gone above us in the table so it’s a big three points for us to try and bounce back to winning ways, after losing to Bristol City and last weekend’s postponed fixture.

We were looking forward to playing against Liverpool and it was a difficult situation. We had a game plan and we had been working hard in the build-up, although we did have an inkling that it might get called off at the time. Now, we have Spurs, and we can take a lot of the planning we did for Liverpool into this match, too.

“WE WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO LIVERPOOL... ALTHOUGH WE DID HAVE AN INKLING THAT IT MIGHT GET CALLED OFF”

With our postponed games, we’ve slipped a bit in the table and we’ve got two to fit back in. Those could be big points, if we can take them on the rearranged dates. It’s something that happens in football – we’ve had games called off before and we just take things week by week. Now, our focus is fully on Tottenham.

They’re a difficult side to play against. They made a lot of signings coming up to the top division and that really tells. They’ve had some good results and have some great individual players, particularly in the forward positions with Rosella Ayane, Gemma Davison and Rianna Dean. It’s a strong frontline we have to be wary of and we need to aim to keep a clean sheet today.

Spurs came up with us last season and I think you can see how determined both teams are. We’re both working hard trying to climb the table. We’ve beaten them three times before but we’re looking at this as a clean slate. We’ll need to be at our best to take something today. Let’s do this!

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MU FOUNDATION

ENGAGE

⬤

INSPIRE

⬤

UNITE

ENCOURAGING YOUNG TALENT Girls hoping to make it in the women’s game receive some sound advice from United stars Katie and Jess, who share their own journey to the top...

Budding footballers at the FA Girls’ Regional Talent Club (RTC) were paid a visit recently by MU Women players Katie Zelem and Jess Sigsworth.

This season, members of United Women have regularly been attending RTC sessions to show support to all age groups. On this visit Katie and Jess attended a training session with the budding young players, where they assisted the coaches and gave valuable advice and insight to the girls, who often train and play against boys’ teams in order to enhance their game and allow them to develop in a more challenging environment.

For Reds’ skipper Zelem, who progressed through the RTC (previously known as the Girls’ Centre of Excellence) from the age of eight, it was even more special, allowing her to see her former coaches and inspire the young players for whom she is now a role model. “When I was younger there wasn’t a women’s first team,” said Katie. “I think for the girls to see players like me and Jess, and all the other girls coming down, shows that there’s a pathway to follow and hopefully we can inspire them a little bit.”

Jess added: “The standard is really high here.

For them to have this opportunity and test themselves against lads, who are usually more physical, and better teams, means they can really kick on themselves.”

Hannah Mitchell, female development officer for the Foundation and an RTC coach, underlined the impact that meeting senior stars can have. “Meeting the players

Watch the film of the visit on the MU Foundation’s YouTube channel

has been a real eye-opener for the girls,” she said.

“They’ve been able to relate to them by asking questions and seeing what things they struggled with or what they believe are the most important things to develop.”

The Manchester United FA Girls’ Regional Talent Club provides opportunities for girls to play football at the highest level, with the aim of developing international players.

Once selected, they receive intensive training and support, along with the chance to compete against other clubs from across the North West. “To hear their role models giving them advice is a lot more realistic than hearing it from their coach and you can see they really listen and take comments on board,” continued Mitchell.

Katie concluded her visit with this message for the girls aspiring to one day be in her shoes: “If this is really the career you want, now especially with all of the opportunities, you can definitely make it happen.”

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WORK OF MANCHESTER UNITED FOUNDATION, HEAD TO MUFOUNDATION.ORG 10 Manchester United Women v Tottenham Hotspur Women

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Change the conversation. Search BarclayPlus.

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QUIZ TIME

FRED’S FAN Z ON E Let’s start with some anagrams – unscramble the names of these United Women stars!

(Answers on p15)

1 2

OS TR ICH ES J IGSAWS

MAY R ETU R N

3 VAST TO OL KIT

4

AN TH ON Y R IS KS

5 R E PAY RAM S YOUR ANSWERS:

2.

4.

1.

3.

5.

Manchester United Women v Tottenham Hotspur Women 13

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

QUIZ TIME

NAME THAT GAME! Tell us the opponents and the final score for these four pics...

⊲

1

Opposition:

2

⊲

#1 TAKE FIVE WITH...

SIOBHAN CHAMBERLAIN

Final score:

Where I’m holidaying...

My last two holidays were to Portugal and Dubai.

Somewhere to chill in the sunshine is just perfect.

Opposition:

What I’m playing...

Final score:

I’m still playing Candy Crush – I know it’s old now but I find it very addictive!

⊲

3

Opposition:

4

⊲

Final score:

What I’m surfing...

My most used app at the moment is my pregnancy one. It updates me every day on little facts about me and the baby.

What I’m wearing...

I’m pretty much living in maternity jeans and leggings at the moment. Most of my wardrobe has been untouched for the last four months as nothing fits!

What I’m watching...

Opposition: Final score:

The last five episodes of Power – I can’t believe it’s nearly over!

Anagrams: 1. Jessica Sigsworth, 2. Amy Turner, 3. Lotta Okvist, 4. Kirsty Hanson, 5. Mary Earps Name the game!: 1. Everton, 3-1; 2. Leicester, 11-1; 3. Tottenham, 3-0; 4. Reading, 2-0

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FAN PHOTOS

RE DS ’ GA LL ERY

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

TODAY’S MASCOTS

Here is Graycie, alongside the boss! Graycie and dad Paul live in O ­ rpington, Greater London, and love to watch the Reds play away.

What a great picture of Poppy and Isabelle, alongside United defender Amy Turner. “Top-class smiles!” says the girls’ dad, Jason.

A very happy birthday to Grace Hamnett, who is 10 years old. Her favourite players are Katie Zelem and Martha Harris. All the best, Grace!

“Good luck to Mary and the team,” says massive Earps fan Adam Bateman. “A clean sheet and three points, please!” Let’s hope he’s right.

Eden is nine today (happy birthday!) and her no.1 player is Katie Zelem.

Jessica is eight years old and her favourite MU Women player is Lauren James.

It’s a big week for Sienna – she’s mascot today, then it’s her birthday in a few days’ time!

This cool dude is seven-year-old Harry, from Barnton, near Northwich.

He’s here today for his first United Women match, with his dad Luke.

Happy birthday to Ruby, who was 10 on Tuesday. She’s been telling her school pals how great it is to watch the Reds. We hope you’re back today!

AWAY MASCOTS: Natasha, aged 8 Jennifer, aged 10 Amy, aged 7 Olivia, aged 10 Courtney, aged 5

16 Manchester United Women v Tottenham Hotspur 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

BarclaysFootball

@BarclaysFooty

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SNAPSHOT

CHAMPS OF THE TRAINING GROUND! It’s been a wet and windy start to January across England’s North West, resulting in our last Women’s Super League game, away to Liverpool, being postponed. But the wretched weather hasn’t dampened the mood out on the training ground this month, with this group of eight looking particularly pleased with themselves after winning a post-training match at MU Women’s Leigh base. Here’s hoping for more beaming smiles from those wearing red come 2pm today!

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SNAPSHOT

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INTERVIEW

JESS SIGSWORTH PROFILE: Date of birth 13 October 1994 Place of birth Doncaster Position Forward United record (up to 14.01.20) : 41 apps (30 stars/11 sub); 21 goals Previous clubs: 2011-15 Doncaster Rovers Belles 2015 Notts County 2016-18 Doncaster Rovers Belles International career England U17, U19, U20, U23

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INTERVIEW

“I STILL WAKE UP AND

CAN’T BELIEVE

I PLAY FOR

THIS FOOTBALL CLUB!” Eighteen months and 21 goals into her United career, childhood Red Jess Sigsworth is still living the dream, and she has especially nice memories of facing today’s visitors...

Quite well, actually. We had a very tough start, against Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool. But we’ve had some good results since then – we beat City in the cup and went on quite a good run, and topped our group in the Continental Cup. I think, last season, having good cup runs and playing against better sides gave us quite a good indication of where we needed to be at this season.

We’re doing well but there’s still room for improvement.

How has the season been going for you, on a personal level?

Obviously, I’d like to start more, like any player, but I know that the competition for places is so high. I just want to try and make an impact when I’m called upon. I enjoy starting and I embrace coming on off the bench, and I just make sure I do everything I can to help the team.

Do you find you’re approaching games differently this season as opposed to the last?

Last season, Casey had us set up with a professional mindset and we aimed for promotion straight away.

We didn’t want to take anything for granted. We did the best that we could, and we had a good game plan.

This season, we’re doing exactly the same. We’re going into every game well prepared and well set up, and everyone gives 100 per cent. ⊲

How steep has the step up in quality been from the Championship to the WSL? There’s a massive gulf in quality in the step up to the Super League. In the Championship, there are little things you can get away with that you can’t in the Super League. It’s fine lines at the top and little mistakes can cost you games, as we’ve found out.

How do you feel yourself and the other players have adapted to that so far?

“IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP, THERE ARE LITTLE THINGS YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH.... LITTLE MISTAKES CAN COST GAMES IN THE WSL” Manchester United Women v Tottenham Hotspur Women 21

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Mancheste

INTERVIEW

Out wide or in a more central role, the Doncaster-born forward is a tireless presence in Casey Stoney’s attack

You’ve played wide right quite regularly this season – how have you found that?

I enjoy it. Anywhere along the forward positions, I enjoy.

Last season I played a bit more down the middle but quite a lot out wide too. I enjoy any role, to be honest.

Spurs are a side you know well, having faced them last season. What are they like to play against?

They’re an organised side, a good side that works really hard. But we’ve beaten them three times now, so they are a team we know how to beat, and we’ll be going out to beat them a fourth time. It’s three points we need to get.

Does beating them three times already provide a big psychological advantage?

Definitely. It gives us more confidence because we know we can beat them. We’ll approach the game with a professional attitude. We won’t be complacent, we’ll stick to the game plan and we’ll hopefully get the three points.

What are you expecting from today’s visitors this time around?

I expect they’ll want to change some things up.

What they’ve done in the last three games [against United] hasn’t worked but we’ll be prepared and ready for anything they throw at us, I’m sure.

The teams ahead of us in the table have all played more games due to our postponements – as such, does it feel like we’re in a bit of a false position?

We’re just focusing on each game as it comes, and we don’t focus on our position in the league at the moment.

We just want to win as many games as we can and come the end of the season, we want to be up the table. We know we’ve been dropping points against the likes of West Ham and Bristol City, so we just want to win every game now and get as high as possible.

The games against the top three have all been very close affairs. Does that help with confidence, given it’s still such a new team?

It does, but obviously we’re disappointed. We got caught out by a wonder goal in the City game and we needed to be more clinical. In the Arsenal game, we had chances to put it to bed early on and then conceded in the 89th minute. Like I said previously, it’s fine lines at the top and we’ve got to make sure we don’t switch off for a second.

We can’t be coming away happy because we’ve only lost 1-0 to a top team because we want to be beating them.

It’s quite a young squad, too. How helpful have the new signings been in terms of added experience?

It’s massive. I think they’ve all come in and done really

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INTERVIEW

Everyone did extremely well, and it was a great season.

Jess – wearing a head bandage following an injury – uses her power in last season’s 5-1 away victory against Tottenham

“FOUR OF US WERE ONLY THREE GOALS APART – THAT WAS ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT LAST SEASON” well. They’ve fit into the side really well and I think they’re enjoying it. They’ve been a big help and bring something different to the team. There’s more competition for places and the standards are higher in training because people need to fight for their place.

It was a great first season for you at United, winning promotion and the Championship’s Golden Boot for the second successive year.

How proud were you of those achievements?

It’s always nice as a forward to win the Golden Boot. At the end of the day, you want to be scoring goals that help the club. But it was so, so tight. I think there were four of us who were only three goals apart. That was one of the great things about last season, that so many players scored, and everyone added to winning the league.

Was it made more special because of what had happened with Doncaster Belles the previous year, when you won the league but didn’t get promotion due to licence issues?

Obviously, to win a league title with any club is great.

When Doncaster didn’t get promoted, they dropped down instead, so it was nice to come to a team and be able to do the same, but this time come up into the Super League.

I think that’s every player’s dream, to play at the top.

You mentioned that we have a lot of scorers and the goals have been spread around again this time round. How much of a help is that?

It’s great. Throughout the season, it takes a whole squad for a team to do well, so it’s great that we have so many players who can put the ball in the back of the net. It’s so important that everyone can defend, as well. I’m sure Casey knows that, across the season, everyone is going to be needed.

How are you enjoying the Manchester United experience as a whole?

It’s amazing. It’s always been my dream. I’ve supported them since I was a little girl and now, to play for the club, it’s unreal. I still wake up and can’t believe I play for this football club! I think that shows in my performances. I always give 100 per cent. Being here feels really special.

How does it feel to have been here from the start?

That just makes it extra special. The players who were here from the start are history makers as the first professional Manchester United women’s team. We’re embracing every second and we enjoy everything about it.

You were on target against Manchester City in a memorable win earlier this season – how does that rank among your highlights here? ⊲

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INTERVIEW

England legend turned Belles team-mate Smith helped Jess with her development

It’s right up there. It’s one of my favourite goals of my career. Playing in a Manchester women’s derby, in a cup game and scoring... it doesn’t get much better than that!

We’ve had an even stronger support this season – how much of an impact have the fans made?

We say every week that they’re our 12th player. They give us that extra boost and we can always hear them chanting. They’re always behind us and it really does help.

Did you have any role models when you were coming through as a young player?

For me, it was always Sue Smith. She was one of England’s best players when I was growing up and to be able to play with her at Doncaster was a dream come true. She’s such a nice person, on and off the pitch.

Who’s been the biggest influence on your career so far?

I’d probably say my dad. When I was growing up, he was always out on the field with me practising, every single night. He’d stand there in the rain, timing me or putting my cones out. He was always at my games and it’s just

Our no.9 doesn’t hold back after finding the target against Manchester City in October

“PLAYING IN A MANCHESTER WOMEN’S DERBY IN A CUP GAME AND SCORING... IT DOESN’T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THAT!” so nice now to be at Manchester United, the club he supports as well. He’s extremely proud.

Which player has been the toughest opponent of your career so far?

I’d say when I was 16 or 17 and coming through, it would be Faye White at Arsenal. I was playing centre-forward, and I could just never get past her. She was so good.

How do you unwind away from football?

I like to watch TV, play on the PlayStation or just hang out with the girls – I live with Martha and Katie so I see a lot of them. We’ll go shopping, get some food or watch some rubbish television!

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DON’T MISS A GAME

THIS SEASON BUY TICKETS: MANUTD.COM/MUWTICKETS

SIOBHAN CHAMBERLAIN

SHIV’S The goalkeeping columnist has come to appreciate our Leigh pitch over the past week, and she’s hopeful of seeing some top-quality action on it today!

When two of your last I’ll be keeping a close three Women’s Super eye on Mollie’s involvement League games have alongside Aimee Palmer in the months ahead been cancelled and your other one didn’t go according to plan, it’s very frustrating for everyone connected to the squad – as I’m sure it was for you fans also.

I’m writing this column ahead of Wednesday’s Continental League Cup match against Brighton, so I can only hope things are right back on track by the time you read this programme.

I was ready in my tracksuit to leave for the game last Sunday morning when I heard the game at Prenton Park had been cancelled. We’re very lucky here at Leigh Sports Village in that we get to play on a carpet week in, week out, regardless of the weather... sorry if I’ve just put a bit of added pressure on the amazing groundstaff by writing that sentence!

In my experience, though, there are a few pitches in our division which aren’t that great, and hopefully that’s one of the things that can be improved on in the women’s game in the next couple of seasons. Not only does it affect the WSL schedule with cancellations but it also affects the quality of the football being played.

Looking at the weather forecast in Leigh this week, the sun is

supposed to be out for the visit of Tottenham, so I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for a top-quality game played on a beautiful surface!

Our opponents Spurs have started the season well with some good results, and they have strengthened their squad considerably since they got promoted last season. Players like Gemma Davison have a wealth of experience in the WSL and will always cause problems for the opposition.

It was good to see Mollie Green back on the pitch playing last weekend after she headed out on loan to Sheffield United. Mollie’s a player of real attacking quality and I’m sure her, as well as Aimee Palmer, will strengthen their push for promotion following their experience in the Championship last season.

I don’t normally predict results in my column but I’m going to predict three points and a strong performance against Tottenham. If we can achieve that, it’ll move us above them in the table – and we could even be back into fourth spot if Reading lose at Everton as well. That’s what we all want to see, plus we’ll have at least a game in hand on the teams above us, of course.

That’s what I’m going for, so let’s go girls!

Manchester United Women v Tottenham Hotspur Women 27

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14/01/2020 22:00

PLAYER PROFILES

MEET THE 2019/20 SQUAD Today we profile the club’s first Scandinavian signing, wearing the no.3 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 LOTTA OKVIST

MARY EARPS

AURORA MIKALSEN

MARTHA HARRIS

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

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

Position Full-back DOB 17/2/1997 Nationality Swedish Okvist, who turns 23 next month, has faced much competition on the left of defence since her August arrival, but when given the chance she’s demonstrated the quality and composure on the ball that first put her on the coaching team’s radar, when Okvist was lining up for Swedish top-flight side Hammarby last season.

Of Lotta’s four United games to date, two have come in the WSL.

28 Manchester United Women v Tottenham Hotspur Women

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PLAYER PLAYERPROFILES PROFILES

21

10

14

12

MILLIE TURNER

KATIE ZELEM

HAYLEY LADD

JACKIE GROENEN

Position Centre-back DOB 7/7/1996 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

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: 6 Aimee Palmer (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

8 Mollie Green (MF, on loan at Sheffield United) 23 Charlotte Newsham (DF, on loan at Huddersfield Town) 24 Maria Edwards (FW)

Manchester United Women v Tottenham Hotspur Women 29

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OPPOSITION

It’s delight for Dean (centre) and her team-mates after Spurs claim a 96th-minute winner against West Ham last Sunday

TODAY’S VISITORS

TOTTENHAM

Spurs have enjoyed a solid maiden season in the Women’s Super League and are aiming for their first win over United at the fourth time of asking...

Like United, Tottenham were promoted from the Championship last season, securing second place with a game to spare. This is Spurs’ debut in England’s top flight since their formation in 1985 and they started strongly, narrowly losing 1-0 to title contenders Chelsea before winning at home to Liverpool and away at West Ham. Since then, Spurs have shown promise as they get used to WSL life, with three wins, a draw and five defeats in their subsequent nine games. They suffered a 3-0 home loss to United in October but moved up to fifth, one place ahead of Casey Stoney’s side (albeit having played two games more), with another three points against West Ham last time out, thanks to Rianna Dean’s dramatic late winner.

In order to maintain that advantage, however, they will need to end a three-game losing streak in this fixture.

Spurs lost home and away to the Reds in 2018/19 before

again failing to pick up points when the two teams met in the current campaign. They did put up a strong fight for the Championship title last time out, however, and were actually ahead of United in the table until late March.

In terms of personnel, Spurs’ main goal threats come from Dean and Kit Graham. Dean hit 14 in the second tier last season, with only our own Jess Sigsworth bagging more. She has three in the league so far in 2019/20, including the crucial opener in her team’s first

EMMA MITCHELL, ON LOAN FROM ARSENAL, HAS STARTED WELL, SCORING ON HER FULL DEBUT

30 Manchester United Women v Tottenham Hotspur Women

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14/01/2020 21:58

M

ue ...

M

OPPOSITION

Ayane is beginning to establish herself into Spurs’ forward line

WSL win, away to West Ham, as well as the aforementioned last-gasp strike against the same opposition. Graham, meanwhile, also has three, having registered well over a century during her time with former club Charlton and being named FAWC Players’ Player of the Year last term – a campaign in which she notched a dozen goals, including a brilliant 25-yard effort against United.

TROPHY-WINNING EXPERIENCE Winger Gemma Davison brings a wealth of trophy-winning experience – see right for more – while the versatile defender-midfielder Ria Percival has played in four World Cups and three Olympic tournaments with New Zealand.

Emma Mitchell has recently arrived on loan from Arsenal to bolster the defence and has plenty of silverware to her name, lifting last season’s WSL title as well as two FA Cups and three Continental League Cups. She’s started well, breaking the deadlock on her full debut against West Ham. Also at the back is club captain Jenna Schillaci, who has been with the club for over a decade, while forward Rosella Ayane, signed last summer, has league and cup honours with Chelsea alongside Champions League experience from her time with Cypriot side Apollon Limassol.

With two teams who know each other well, and who are keen to build on encouraging starts in the WSL, an intriguing match-up awaits today.

30_31_oppo.CGIM.indd 5

ONE TO WATCH GEMMA DAVISON

HEAD COACHES KAREN HILLS & JUAN AMOROS

Davison is no stranger to success, winning the WSL with Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea (twice). She added an FA Cup medal at each of the London clubs, and a League Cup triumph with the Gunners.

She’s no stranger to Reds fans, having scored in our first-ever home game as Reading claimed a 2-0 victory here in September 2018. After spending time on the sidelines due to damaged medial ankle ligaments sustained in October, the 32-year-old has now started the last four WSL games and will be out to kick-start her season.

Spurs are unique among WSL sides in having two head coaches. After turning out for Charlton as a player, Hills took charge in 2007 with Spurs in the London and South-East Regional Premier Division.

Four years later she was joined by Amoros, and the pair have overseen two promotions in three years.

Among their highlights was a lower-league quadruple in 2016/17, with Spurs winning the FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division and play-offs, FA Women’s Premier League Cup and Ryman Women’s Cup.

14/01/2020 21:58

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

STATISTICS

& PLAYER STATISTICS

FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE TABLE

Teams

P

W D L GD Pts

Player

League

FA Cup

League Cup

Total

App Gls App Gls App Gls App Gls

Lizzie Arnot

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

Mary Earps

10 0 0 0 2 0 12 0

Leah Galton

10 2 0 0 2 0 12 2

Mollie Green

0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0

Jackie Groenen

8 0 0 0 2 0 10 0

Martha Harris

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

Kirsty Hanson

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

Lauren James

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

Hayley Ladd

10 0

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

1 Arsenal

12 11 0 1 30 33

Abbie McManus

9 0 0 0 4 0 13 0

2 Manchester City

12 10 0 2 26 30

Aurora Mikalsen

0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0

3 Chelsea

11 9 2 0 23 29

Lotta Okvist

2 0 0 0 2 0 4 0

4 Reading

11 5 2 4 -3 17

Emily Ramsey

0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0

5 Tottenham Hotspur 12 5 1 6 -7 16

Jane Ross

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

6 Manchester United 10 5 0 5 8 15

Jess Sigsworth

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

7 Everton

Kirsty Smith

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

10 5 0 5 0 15

8 West Ham United 10 3 1 6 -8 10

Ella Toone

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

9 Brighton

12 2 3 7 -18 9

Amy Turner

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

10 Birmingham

10 2 1 7 -13 7

Millie Turner

10 0 0 0 4 0 14 0

11 Bristol City

11 1 3 7 -28 6

Katie Zelem

10 3 0 0 4 2 14 5

12 Liverpool

11 0 3 8 -10 3

FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE TOP SCORERS Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal)

14 goals (8 assists)

UNITED CAREER APPEARANCES/GOALS* Player

League

FA Cup

League Cup

Total

App Gls App Gls App Gls App Gls

Lizzie Arnot

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

Beth England (Chelsea)

9 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

Ji So-Yun (Chelsea)

5 goals (3 assists)

Mary Earps

Kim Little (Arsenal)

5 goals (2 assists)

Leah Galton

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

Lauren James (Manchester United)

5 goals (0 assists)

Mollie Green

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

Chloe Kelly (Everton)

5 goals (0 assists)

Jackie Groenen Kirsty Hanson

EARNING THEIR SPURS Today is our fourth fixture against Spurs, dating back to a 4-1 win in November 2018, with a trio of Reds having played every minute of each of the first three meetings: Amy Turner, Millie Turner and Katie Zelem. Our current captain has also scored twice in these three games, but she doesn’t top the list of scorers against Spurs; that honour goes to Jess Sigsworth, who has three goals, both coming last season.

*Stats do not include Wednesday’s game v Brighton

TABLES

APPEARANCES/GOALS 2019/20*

10 0 0 0 2 0 12 0

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

Martha Harris

19(3) 1

Lauren James

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

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

Hayley Ladd

10 0

Abbie McManus

9 0 0 0 4 0 13 0

Aurora Mikalsen

0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0

Lotta Okvist Aimee Palmer

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

2 0 0 0 2 0 4 0 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

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

Jess Sigsworth

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

Kirsty Smith

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

Ella Toone

19(11) 14

Amy Turner

24(2) 2

3

1 2(8) 6 24(19) 21

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

Millie Turner

30 2 3 0 10 0 43 2

Katie Zelem

28 13 2 0 10 3 40 16

Manchester United Women v Tottenham Hotspur Women 33

33_app stats v2.CGIM.indd 4

14/01/2020 21:57

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 3pm

A

2-3

1,736

Earps

A Turner

McManus

M Turner

Harris

Lad

Everton

12pm

H

3-1

1,805

Earps

A Turner

McManus

M Turner

Harris

Lad

CC

Wed 11

Birmingham City

7.30pm

A

3-1

442

Ramsey

Smith

McManus

M Turner

Okvist

Gre

WSL JANUARY Sun 15

Birmingham City

2pm

A 2,021

Earps

A Turner

McManus

M Turner

Harris

Lad

+ Date/kick-off TBC

West Ham United

WSL Sun 8

WSL Sun 5

* Head to ManUtd.com for match report and reaction from Wednesday's game v Brighton

WSL Sun 1

WSL Sun 2

Reading

2pm

A

WSL Sun 9

Chelsea

4.30pm

H

WSL Wed 12

Brighton

7.45pm

A

FA

Round five

Bristol City

12pm

H

CC

Brighton (QF)

7.30pm

H

WSL Sun 19

Tottenham Hotspur

12pm

H

FA

Manchester City (R4) 1pm+

H

Wed 15 Sun 26

CC 29/30 Semi-final

0-1

*

FEBRUARY

Sun 16

WSL Sun 23

Everton

CC

Final

Sat 29

12.30pm A N

MARCH Quarter-final

WSL Sun 22

West Ham United

12pm

H

WSL Sun 29

Manchester City

12pm

H

WSL Sun 5

Arsenal

2pm

A

FA

Semi-final

Bristol City

A

FA

Sun 15

APRIL Sun 19

WSL Sun 26

3pm

MAY Final

N

WSL Sat 16

Birmingham City

TBC

H

WSL TBC

Birmingham City

-

A

WSL TBC

Liverpool

-

A

FA

Sat 9

CONTACT US via email

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

34_35 season stats (check FA Cup ko).CGIM.indd 4 West Ham United

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

14/01/2020 21:56

WSL - Women’s Super League

Scorers Bold

First sub

CC - FA Continental League Cup

Penalty •

Second sub

FA - Women’s FA Cup

x Own goal

Third sub

* after extra-time

Yellow/red card

SUBS USED

KEY:

Groenen Ladd

Zelem

Toone

Sigsworth

Ross

Zelem

Toone

Sigsworth

Ross

Sigsworth

James 1

James

Ladd Zelem 1 • Toone

Galton

A Turner

Galton James Galton

Hanson

James

Hanson

-

A Turner

Hanson

-

Ladd

Zelem Groenen

Ladd

Zelem 1 Groenen

Hanson

Ladd

Zelem

Groenen

Groenen

Hanson James 1

Ladd

Zelem 1 •

Ladd

Zelem

Green

Zelem

Ladd Ladd Ladd

Hanson 1

Hanson 1

James

Groenen

Hanson

Sigsworth 1

Toone 5

Galton

Sigsworth 1

James Ross 1

Zelem

Ladd

Zelem

Hanson 1

Ross

Sigsworth

Toone 1

Arnot 1

Groenen

Hanson

FOLLOW US online

Facebook: manutdwomen

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

Toone

Arnot

Toone

Galton 2

Toone

Ross James 1

Sigsworth

Sigsworth

Toone

Galton Hanson

Ross 1

Hanson Ladd

James

Galton Arnot

Twitter: @manutdwomen

Ross

Galton James 1

Toone

Toone

Harris

James 2

James

Ross 1

Toone

Ladd 1 Ross

Sigsworth

Galton Sigsworth Arnot 1

Zelem

Green

Galton

Hanson James 1

Groenen

Ross

Galton Sigsworth 1 Ross

Zelem 1 • Groenen

Zelem 1 • Groenen

Sigsworth

Galton

Toone

YouTube: /ManUtd

Smith

A Turner

Sigsworth Toone

Instagram: @manutdwomen

14/01/2020 21:56

MANCHESTER UNITED ­WOMEN

Siobhan CHAMBERLAIN (GK) Martha HARRIS Lotta OKVIST Amy TURNER Abbie McMANUS Ella TOONE 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)

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR WOMEN 1 2 3 4 5 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 27

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 19 21 22 23 25 29

Chloe MORGAN (GK) Lucia LEON Ria PERCIVAL Josie GREEN Sophie McLEAN Anna FILBEY Gemma DAVISON Chloe PEPLOW Rianna DEAN Coral-Jade HAINES Jenna SCHILLACI Megan WYNNE Angela ADDISON Siri WORM Kit GRAHAM Jessica NAZ Lucy QUINN Emma MITCHELL Becky SPENCER (GK) Rosella AYANE Hannah GODFREY Ashleigh NEVILLE

MATCH OFFICIALS: Referee Edward Duckworth Assistants Magdalena Golba, Jack Nield • Fourth official Daniel Locker

36_MUW back cover spurs (officials added, Green removed).CGIM.indd 4 West Ham United

14/01/2020 21:55