Manchester United Women v Chelsea Women match programme, WSL, 30.04.25
WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE • WED 30 APR 2025 • 8.15PM
FAN
DERBY-DAY
GABBY
JUNIOR
TEAM
MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL
Co-chairmen Joel Glazer, Avram Glazer
Directors Bryan Glazer, Kevin Glazer, Edward Glazer, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, Michael Edelson, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill CBE, Omar Berrada, Sir Dave Brailsford, Jean-Claude Blanc Secretary Rebecca Britain Honorary president Martin Edwards
MATCH PROGRAMME TEAM
Editor Charlie Ghagan Contributors Mikey Partington, Helen Rowe-Willcocks, Cerys Jones, Sean Mullan, Joe Ganley, Jamie Spencer, Katie Salter, Harry Robinson, Tom Chase Photography Charlotte Tattersall, Poppy Townson, Ash Donelon, Zohaib Alam, Getty, Alamy
Thanks to Ellie Decrop, John Shiel, Ian Nolan, Mark Froggatt, Paul Davies, Ben Williams, Simon Davies
Printed
The Reds show their appreciation for the travelling fans at West Ham’s Victoria Road home – a day when we had to make do with one point rather than three while claiming a fourth straight clean sheet in all competitions
Marc
SKINNER
THE EXCITING SEASON RUN-IN IS A “CHALLENGE
WE’RE READY FOR” SAYS THE BOSS, AND YOUR ENERGY FROM THE STANDS CAN PLAY A BIG ROLE
Welcome to Leigh Sports Village, for the last time this season before we head to Old Trafford.
LSV has been such a strong home for us this season and you fans have played a huge part in that. There have been some really memorable moments and games here and we want to finish at Leigh on a high this evening.
We know Chelsea are a difficult opponent but we go into this game with the belief that we can overcome anything and anyone. We all remember the memorable Cup semi-final against Chelsea here last season – another game when you fans were so important – and we’ll need you once again to help throughout this final push of games. We rise and strengthen even more when we can you hear you in loud voice and we really appreciate you getting behind us each and every week, wherever we play. Seeing that sea of Red gives us the extra energy we need to get over the line. The players are fully motivated for this final run of fixtures. There was a lot of frustration after the West Ham draw but we limited them
to very few attacking threats. We just could not get the ball over the line to get the three points.
The players know that we need to switch that frustration into action. We know what we didn’t do against West Ham and we know what we need to do for our remaining four games.
These are the types of fixtures we want to be involved in. We don’t want to look at these games as increased pressure but as a challenge we’re ready for. Let’s keep the drive and the momentum going.
In every game this season, no matter how it’s been going, we’ve shown unity as a team. We talk a lot about togetherness and what that means but it’s never on show more than in those tough moments when we need to come together. It’s what makes us special and gives us that extra edge.
So with that, I hope you have your voices ready to give us all the energy we know you can. Enjoy the game.
numbers Run the
A STAT-BASED PREVIEW OF TONIGHT’S WSL CLASH
Good evening and welcome back to LSV for what is our 14th and final game of the campaign here in Leigh. With Sunday’s Manchester derby being staged 14 miles down the road at Old Trafford, tonight will be the last time we’re all together in the LSV stands in 2024/25, and what a season it’s been here. Once again, Marc Skinner’s side have turned this place into a real fortress,
To summarise the state of play in the WSL as simply as possible for the Reds: three points tonight would assure us of a spot in next season’s Champions League. Our visitors secured their UWCL place before the end of March and have since had two huge semi-final clashes v Barcelona to contend with in this season’s tournament (Sunday’s second leg being the reason this game was moved from the weekend to tonight), while attempting to win their sixth straight WSL title. That’s a feat they can achieve this evening if the three points go their way, and second-placed Arsenal
with January’s narrow League Cup reverse to Manchester City the only blot on an otherwise unbeaten record at our primary home. We’ve racked up 10 wins to go with two November draws, scored 36 goals and conceded just eight. It goes without saying how crucial your support has been to those numbers –through the sunny weekend afternoons and those biting cold midweek nights! – so here’s to rounding things off on a high over the next 90 minutes of football. Chelsea have proved a difficult opponent here over the years but our FA Cup semi-final win on the Blues’ last visit just over 12 months ago was perhaps our finest day at LSV and a reminder of what we can achieve together in these surroundings.
fail to beat Aston Villa (6pm k/o). As little as a draw will also complete the job for the Blues should the Gunners lose at Villa Park. Sonia Bompastor’s Blues will arrive in Leigh determined to put last Sunday firmly behind them, with Chelsea falling to a 4-1 loss at Stamford Bridge against Barça, meaning a crushing 8-2 defeat on aggregate. With no UWCL final to come, it’s now all about securing a domestic Treble, with the League Cup already in the bag...
Both teams will be checking Arsenal’s result this evening
What a season it’s been at LSV
After keeping her 13th clean sheet of the WSL season in our last outing at West Ham, Phallon Tullis-Joyce will at least tie as the winner of the division’s Golden Glove award for 2024/25. Presented to the goalkeeper with the most shut-outs across the campaign, it’s an accolade that Phallon leads the standings for, with her 13 clean sheets the most that fellow front-runners Hannah Hampton – likely to line up in Chelsea’s goal tonight –and Arsenal’s Daphne van Domselaar can reach before the term is out. It means that Tullis-Joyce can clinch it outright tonight if we don’t concede – an achievement that would see her match Mary Earps’s WSL record clean-sheet tally of 14 in a season in 2022/23. Should Phallon become the sole recipient or share the prize at the end of this campaign, it will be
another achievement to mark her exceptional breakout term, in which she has impressively emerged as United’s first choice between the sticks following Earps’s departure last summer. As you can read more about on p9, Tullis-Joyce’s United future looks very bright indeed...
Tonight, Phallon could match the WSL record for clean sheets in a season – 14, set by Mary Earps in ’22/23
While plenty is on the line in tonight’s encounter at the top end of the WSL table, the 90 minutes is also something of a dress rehearsal between United and Chelsea, with the two teams set to contest this year’s FA Cup final in 18 days’ time. Just over 24 hours before our semi-final triumph at City, Bompastor’s Blues came from behind to beat Liverpool and book their place at Wembley Stadium for
what will be a repeat of the 2023 showpiece. That was a contest edged 1-0 by the London side so we’ll be doubly determined to take the spoils this time around. And aside from the importance of tonight in a league context, there is potentially a psychological edge to be gained ahead of the upcoming Cup meeting under the arch. If you haven’t yet got your tickets for the final, scan the code above for the latest availability.
Hands up if you’re at the very top of your game...
*date and kick off time subject to change
PHALLON’S FRESH CONTRACT
Tullis-Joyce
Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce has signed a new contract with United until June 2028, it was confirmed last Friday.
The New Yorker joined the Reds in September 2023, making her debut that November with a clean sheet against Everton in a 7-0 League Cup victory.
The 28-year-old has since followed that up with 19 more shut-outs in her 29 subsequent appearances, including her remarkable run in this season’s WSL: 13 clean sheets in 19 games. She’s also been instrumental in Marc Skinner’s side reaching a third consecutive FA Cup final.
Phallon’s form has also led to her winning a first senior cap for the United States earlier this
month, five months after she received a maiden call-up. Upon signing her new deal, she said: “I’m really grateful to have this opportunity to continue the exciting journey we are on. All of us in the team have ever-growing dreams of what we can achieve together. We want to keep making history and I am so proud to keep wearing the United badge.”
Matt Johnson, United’s interim head of women’s football, said: “Phallon has been exceptional for us this season, both on the pitch, and off the pitch as an ambassador and leader. This shows the ambition of the club that we can retain one of the best goalkeepers in the world.”
Congratulations, Phallon!
ALL SET FOR SOME SEVENS!
United heading to Portugal for a small-sided post-season tournament
Marc Skinner’s Reds will take part in the inaugural World Sevens Football tournament in Portugal next month.
United will be one of eight women’s teams from around the globe competing to become the first W7F champions, through a series of fast-paced seven-a-side games at Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota in Estoril, a short journey from Lisbon, from 21-23 May. Ajax, Bayern Munich and Benfica have also had their
involvement confirmed in the new competition.
United are expected to take a strong group of first-teamers to the tournament, which could involve up to five 30-minute games, depending on our progress through a two-day group phase, and one-day knockout stage.
Skinner said: “This is a really exciting opportunity to be part of something new for the women’s game. Our only focus right now is on finishing the domestic season
as strongly as possible, then we can travel to Portugal to enjoy what promises to be an entertaining three days of fast, fun, seven-a-side football.”
Collette Roche, United’s chief operating officer, said: “We want to be at the forefront of growth and innovation in women’s football and that includes experimenting with new formats in parallel with the traditional 11-a-side game. We welcome new ideas for how women’s football can attract new audiences.”
For ticket information, visit worldsevensfootball.com.
Putting pen to paper and (below) yet another clean sheet on her USWNT debut
QUE SERA, SERA...
Photo taken: Sunday 13 April 2025, Joie Stadium, Manchester. What’s the story? We didn’t think a Sunday trip across town could get any better than January’s 4-2 in the WSL, but our semi-final win just over the Etihad’s footbridge was right up there! Two goals ahead at the break, thanks to Celin Bizet (a beautiful curled finish, right) and Grace Clinton (a stooping header, far right) proved enough on the day, with some staunch defensive work keeping the hosts at bay. Wholesome scenes followed at full-time, as the players, backroom staff and fans came together to celebrate a third successive FA Cup final appearance. There was even room for a ‘Romi 6’ shirt – Hannah Blundell’s daughter being born exactly two weeks earlier – as held by Millie T. As our centre-back would say: ‘KAMOOONNN!’
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Captain’s column
MLT
ON A MASSIVE NIGHT AT LSV, MAYA INSISTS EVERY RED WILL BE READY FOR BATTLE...
It’s great to finally be back on home soil after exactly a month away from Leigh, and two away fixtures in that time.
The semi-final at City was a brilliant day, with Celin and Grace both showing their quality with their goals, and that win has given us something big to look forward to once the WSL season ends. We were also delighted to get another clean sheet, with Phallon stepping up once more with some fantastic saves.
We followed that up with another clean sheet, away to West Ham, where I thought we were unlucky not to continue our long winning run. West Ham have been hard to beat at home this season and we couldn’t quite break them down, but City’s draw on the same weekend has kept us in a strong position to achieve a top-three finish, which is one of two huge targets for us in the weeks ahead.
As a team we were naturally disappointed not to bring all three points back home from London, but we’ve been channelling that into our training and preparation for tonight’s match with Chelsea. The great thing about this team is that we always come together. We share every high and low together and make sure we work through our feelings.
The disappointments show how much we care and how much we want to succeed. We’ve learned a lot about ourselves since we last played Chelsea in November and we are all up for the challenge they will bring, both tonight and in the FA Cup final. We know they are a strong side but I’m confident in the team, and our abilities to take on anyone. Games under the LSV lights are always special – here’s hoping for an extra special one tonight!
Our so-solid centre-backs look set to pair up for the 26th time this season as Chelsea come to town
#9 Melvine Malard
OUR FLAMBOYANT FRENCH FORWARD LOVES THE
BIG OCCASION, SO SHE CAN’T WAIT FOR THE GRAND FINALE TO ’24/25. AHEAD OF HER 50TH APPEARANCE FOR THE REDS SHE JOINS
US TO TALK CELEBRATIONS, CITY LIVING AND GIVING “ENERGY TO THE FANS”. SPLENDIDE!
It’s your first full season as a permanent United player, Melvine, and you seem to have really settled into life in Manchester. What are some of your favourite things about the city?
I love the people in Manchester! I also like shopping, going for coffee, taking my time in the city – it’s a big city and I love that.
FACTFILE
DATE OF BIRTH
28 June 2000
PLACE OF BIRTH
Saint-Denis, Reunion
POSITION Forward
YOUTH CAREER
Saint-Denis, Lyon
SENIOR CAREER
2017- Lyon
93 apps, 32 goals
2019-20 Fleury (loan)
11 apps, 3 goals
2022- Manchester United (loan)
51 games, 12 goals
INTERNATIONAL CAREER
2020- France: 26 caps, 6 goals
You seem to have really connected with the United fans as well. How would you describe your relationship with them? You know, this is the first time I’ve had a fan chant of my name in the stadium. For me, that’s so amazing. Sometimes I want to cry because it’s like ‘oh, wow!’ It’s amazing for the player. When I see that and listen to that, I think, ‘I play football for that’. I needed to come here, to Manchester, to feel that, and that is good.
You always celebrate a lot after wins – we particularly remember the video of you leading the dressing room celebrations at the Etihad after the WSL derby against Manchester City… I think a lot of games are so hard here – there’s a lot of intensity, we work so hard in the training, and for me I say it’s very important to enjoy a win and take a moment for that. I tell all the girls: “We need to celebrate when you score!” You work hard on the pitch for that and you score, so you need to take your time [to celebrate], because football, it’s [something to] enjoy. You need good moments for your football. After a game I say that to the girls on the coach: “Girls, we need to enjoy this for us!”
Was that game a standout one in the WSL this season? And are you looking forward to facing City again in the WSL at Old Trafford very soon?
Interview: Cerys Jones
SUNDAY 15 JUNE, OLD TRAFFORD
SOCCER AID
“We need to stay focused. The fans deserve for us to play Champions League and I hope we can do that”
Yeah, because it’s the big derby and it’s so close here between Manchester United and Manchester City, and also the fans are very excited for these games. We work hard for derbies and we need to win and play good football and enjoy it. I’m looking forward to the game at Old Trafford – every time we play at Old Trafford, it’s a good moment. We lose sometimes, but now we’re ready for the future, for a win. I hope we win because we are so focused this season.
People are starting to think about the Champions League as the end of this season arrives. You’re probably one of the most experienced players in the squad when it comes to that competition, having won it! You didn’t get to play much last time in the competition with United, so how much would it mean to you to qualify again? I think we need to stay focused every game, because the football is so hard and when we go down [in a
game] it’s possible to lose. But we know that, and we are so professional. We would like to play the Champions League, we know that it’s so amazing for the club and the fans. The fans deserve for us to play Champions League and I hope we can do that.
You’ve had some fantastic goals and assists this season. Have you got a favourite moment from this season – a favourite goal, perhaps? My favourite moment is when I’m playing –honestly, when I’m on the pitch [smiles]. But I think for me, it’s the goal against Liverpool, the volley [in December’s 4-0 win at LSV]. That was a good one – it was instant, direct. It was a good goal!
To turn to the home league game against Chelsea, we know this will be a difficult one. When we faced them away in November, you came closer to scoring for us than anyone that day
Putting in the hard yards down at Carrington
Melvine’s goal against Liverpool is a personal highlight for 2024/25
United’s no.9 was so nearly our late saviour down at Kingsmeadow
down at Kingsmeadow. How do you remember that game, and did you learn anything from it? Their coach, Sonia Bompastor, was of course my coach before [at Lyon], so I know her very well. The staff too [at Chelsea], they’re very good staff. But I think we can win this game. We work so hard, we are focused this season because we know where we would like to go. I think if we play together for the whole game we can win it – and also, we need to enjoy the football. Don’t overthink.
You came on as a substitute last season when we beat Chelsea at Leigh Sports Village in the FA Cup semi-final – you’re smiling already! That was a great win, and we remember you dancing and celebrating a lot in front of the stands... [Grinning] I think it was the first time we beat Chelsea... the only time when I’m here was the first time, which is crazy! But it was good, if we can do it once, we can do it again. We need to think like that. It’s a moment for us that we remember and we will go for a win again. The celebrations were because I wanted to enjoy it after the game! We won the big game, it was really hard, and I wanted to give my energy to the fans and say thank you to the fans also, because we win but it’s about the fans too.
“We need to play together for the whole game [tonight] – and we need to enjoy the football. Don’t overthink”
After this season, it’s the Euros. You were a key player the last time France played at the Euros, making it through to the semis. Are you looking forward to hopefully being involved again? My national team, we want to win a trophy. I think it’s a good moment for us. I love France, I love my national team, and I think we can do that.
If you do play at the Euros there could be a lot of United players in the group alongside France, with England, Netherlands and Wales also in Group D... I don’t think it should be too difficult because I know the players! [Laughs] But the French team is very different to Manchester United. If we play against a lot of United players, I think it’ll be good because I know the players well. But I’ll keep playing my football! ●
On the ball for France earlier this month, in Les Bleues’ Nations League clash against Norway, and Melvine could go up against some familiar faces at this summer’s Euros
Right: Stepping out in style at our recent FA Cup semi-final against City
UNITED TO DELIVER EXCELLENCE
PLAY WITH STYLE
WHAT IS STYLE?
It’s Control. Creativity. And being prepared to cross that line. It’s the freedom to do your thing and play to your own whistle. It’s the ‘I’ in Individuality and the ‘You’ in UNITED.
www.remington.co.uk/manutd
M E SSAGES
Olivia is a massive Maya fan and she loved meeting her after the Leicester game.
Here’s Kimberley, whose favorite player is Jayde.
Happy 10th birthday Harper – have the most wonderful day. Love Mummy, Daddy and Essie.
Happy 17th birthday Abigail – her favourite players are Lisa and Safia.
Happy birthday to Sarah in West Stand –love Simon, Esme and Eloise.
Keren Close is at the game and she says: ‘My daughter would love to be in the programme!’. Only too happy to help...!
A belated happy birthday to Megan (and her dad Richard).
‘Wembley we go!’ says Ellie, who had the ‘best birthday gift ever’ with our FA Cup semi-final win at City.
TEXT MESSAGES: Happy birthday to Katarzyna, who is at the game having travelled all the way from Krakow in Poland. Good effort! ● Happy 60th birthday to Tony Kuczaj, love from all the family. ● Happy 16th birthday to Aimee Elliott. She has travelled from Northern Ireland to experience her first MUW game. Aimee is a huge Red, following in the footsteps of her mum and aunt, who she’s here with tonight. ● A warm welcome to Bex Wood!
JUST FOUR DAYS TO GO...
THIS
WEEKEND, OLD TRAFFORD HOSTS THE FINAL MANCHESTER DERBY OF AN ENTHRALLING SEASON -- AND WE’D LOVE IT IF YOU CAN JOIN US!
Tonight’s showdown with league leaders Chelsea presents United Women with a late opportunity to affect this year’s WSL title race. But the decisive day in the Reds’ own league campaign could very well come this Sunday, when Old Trafford hosts the fourth Manchester derby of 2024/25.
It’s our final home game of the campaign, and a passionate crowd is expected at the Theatre of Dreams, hot on the heels of the recent FA Cup semi-final victory over our neighbours, not to mention January’s dramatic 4-2 win at the Etihad – our first-ever WSL win over the Etihad club. But beyond the always-spicy context of a derby, this weekend’s match could also have a conclusive say on which of the two Manchester clubs qualifies for Champions League football next term.
City kept their UWCL qualification hopes alive with a hard-earned win at Leicester City on Sunday – Jess Park scoring the game’s only goal with 70 minutes on the clock – and it moved Nick Cushing’s side four points behind third-placed United, although we do have one game extra to play. That’s against Chelsea tonight, where a home win will wrap up a top-three spot for the Reds. Any dropped points this evening, however, and the importance of Sunday suddenly becomes even greater.
Regardless of the permutations, for United the derby will be a chance to record a third victory over City during a single season, and to achieve a first
league ‘double’ over our cross-town rivals since our team’s reformation in 2018.
More than that, it’s a chance to build momentum ahead of the season’s undoubted climax – a third consecutive Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley, against tonight’s opponents on Sunday 18 May.
Following this evening’s match and the upcoming derby, we’ll then finish our WSL programme with another challenging test, away to second-placed Arsenal. So it’s a tough old run-in for Skinner’s side, who’ll be desperate to share a special moment with our home supporters at the big stage of Old Trafford, to build more confidence to carry on that march to Wembley. As of last Thursday over 25,000 tickets had been sold for Sunday, and that figure was expected to greatly increase throughout this week.
The derby kicks off at 12pm and, if you haven’t already secured your ticket, head to tickets.manutd.com, or simply scan the code above, where prices start from just £7.50.
We hope to see you there at Old Trafford for what could be a day of real intrigue – and hopefully celebration for those wearing red...
The great-value tickets make for a brilliant family day out at Old Trafford – and there could be a lot at stake for captain Maya and co on the pitch
2024/25 POSTER GABBY GEORGE
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CHAMBERLAIN
CLUB CONNECTIONS
Words: Cerys Jones
Such are the neat player links between today’s teams, how we enjoyed assembling a nicely balanced Reds/Blues seven-a-side line-up, with the ideal boss to lead from the sideline…
GK SIOBHAN CHAMBERLAIN
CHELSEA APPS/GOALS: 133/0 (2001-03; ’07-10)
UNITED APPS/GOALS: 27/0 (2018-19)
BLUE DAY: The keeper played well over a hundred games for Chelsea, across two spells when (unlike these days) they weren’t sweeping up multiple trophies. Indeed, in Chamberlain’s first stint Chelsea were still working their way up to the top flight in the Southern Division of the Women’s Premier League pyramid, with her competitive debut coming against Barking on 19 August 2001, days after her 18th birthday. Chelsea won 8-3 (although we’re sure she’d have preferred a 1-0!) and the childhood gymnast swiftly began to make a big impression on account of her agility between the sticks. Shiv was soon part of England’s U19 squad, while 2003 saw her join Fulham – by then national champions – before returning to Chelsea from 2007-10. By then the Blues were top-flight staples, finishing 5th, 3rd and 3rd, with Chamberlain’s final outing coming in May 2010 – Chelsea’s final game before the start of the WSL era. Shiv was soon off to Vancouver Whitecaps for five months, but she’d be back to line up in the inaugural WSL campaign, joining Bristol Academy.
RED LETTER DAY: Chamberlain started 27 of our 29 games in United’s first season as a professional side, and while she’d probably agree that the Reds’ 2018/19 season wasn’t her busiest, her experience and ability went a long way in
helping us secure so many clean sheets (14 in her 18 Championship games), as we secured promotion. It was in the intriguing cup ties in early 2019 against WSL opponents where Siobhan was able to have more of an impact. First there was the League Cup quarter-final at home to West Ham, where she showed real authority in a 2-0 win. But it was Brighton away – our first-ever FA Cup fixture –on 3 February 2019, where she’d have her big moment. Already doing her bit to help us hang on to a 1-0 lead, Siobhan’s brilliant diving penalty save from Danni Buet with 12 minutes to play deflated the hosts, giving Casey Stoney’s Reds the impetus we needed to secure an eventual 2-0 victory.
DF HANNAH BLUNDELL
CHELSEA APPS/GOALS: 161/11 (2013-21)
UNITED APPS/GOALS: 91/3 (2021-)
BLUE DAY: Hannah’s time with Chelsea coincided with their rise as a dominant force; the full-back playing for the Blues across a six-year spell that saw them collect four league titles (plus the 2017 Spring Series), two FA Cups and two League Cups. East Sussex-born Blundell joined their academy in her teens and soon caught the eye of boss Emma Hayes, who handed her a debut in a 2-1 loss to Birmingham – a landmark day for the 19-year-old (despite the result), as she made her mark by scoring within minutes of coming on as a sub. Hannah wouldn’t continue netting at quite the same rate, but she did play a key part in their success – especially in 2015, as Chelsea won their
Shiv’s dominant display at Brighton in the Cup saw us land a WSL scalp
Hannah and the Blues won the first Women’s FA Cup final to be played at Wembley in 2015
her
DF MARIA THORISDOTTIR
CHELSEA APPS/GOALS: 47/2 (2017-21)
UNITED APPS/GOALS 45/1 (2021-23)
first WSL and FA Cup. Before joining United she described that maiden Cup win on 1 August 2015 as her best achievement until that point.
RED LETTER DAY: Upon moving to Manchester in July 2021, Hannah quickly became just as pivotal to her new team, playing 21 of our 22 WSL games in her debut term. Her contributions at the back were even more noticeable in 2022/23, as United qualified for the Champions League for the first time. Our stellar defensive record that season, as we conceded the fewest goals in the division, was thanks in no small part to the ever-present full-back and led to her being voted our Players’ Player of the Season (above). The no.6 collected the award in the sunshine at Prenton Park after our final-day win over Liverpool on 27 May 2023, as we cemented our best WSL finish and only just missed out on the title. “She’s a bit of an unsung hero,” said Marc Skinner, “so it’s great to be able to celebrate [her award] with the whole squad.”
BLUE DAY: Versatile Maria started out in midfield for Klepp in her native Norway before stepping back into defence, and in her three-and-a-half years at Chelsea after moving to England she showcased that adaptability by playing across the defence, and even at wing-back. One standout contribution in attack came on 13 October 2019. With Arsenal having snatched the title back from Chelsea the season before, this derby at Kingsmeadow was a chance for the Blues to lay down a marker for ’19/20. Arsenal went ahead inside early, but after Beth England’s leveller, it looked set to end 1-1. That was until Maria found herself in space on the edge of the box with five minutes left, and fired in a first-time finish. Not a bad time to net your first WSL goal – especially as with two fewer points the Blues would have missed out on the title that season.
RED LETTER DAY: Joining us midway through ’20/21, Maria soon settled in to become a defensive stalwart in her first full term, with that versatility on show as she switched between centre-back and full-back. Her 2022/23 was curtailed by injury in March, but she played a key cover role beforehand as we qualified for Europe. A personal highlight came just two months after her arrival, however, when she played all of our first Old Trafford game on 27 March 2021, as we beat West Ham 2-0. “I was really calm but very excited,” Maria would recall of a day when she assisted Lauren James’s opener.
Maria uses
head to tee up a historic moment in our history: goal no.1 at Old Trafford four years ago
MF JACKIE GROENEN
CHELSEA APPS/GOALS: 31/4 (2014-15)
UNITED APPS/GOALS: 60/0 (2019-22)
BLUE DAY: The Dutch midfielder spent just over a year at Chelsea, and she helped the Blues reach the UWCL for the first time – even if they were painfully pipped to 2014’s WSL title by Liverpool on the last day. The move to London was Groenen’s first time in English football and the then-teenager scored four goals in her 16 months down south, the best of which was her WSL winner at home to Man City on 20 July 2014. With the game level at 1-1 in the final minute, sub Jackie pinched the ball from Betsy Hassett, played a one-two, before rounding Karen Bardsley to net. A moment of class.
RED LETTER DAY: After Chelsea, Jackie returned to Germany to play for then-UWCL holders FFC Frankfurt, where she enjoyed four years as a regular starter. But the United fan couldn’t resist a move back to England when Casey Stoney came calling ahead of our maiden WSL season. Jackie’s arrival was momentous, as she become our first overseas player, making her bow in the first WSL Manchester derby on 7 September 2019. Her credentials were immediately obvious as Groenen came agonisingly close to stunning City with a late equaliser – her well-struck effort hitting the post. Jackie went on to spend three seasons with us, and often spoke about how much she relished her two Old Trafford outings – particularly the second in 2022 as we beat Everton. For the childhood Red, it was all she’d dreamed of...
FW RACHEL WILLIAMS
CHELSEA APPS/GOALS: 12/6 (2014)
UNITED APPS/GOALS: 78/21 (2022-)
BLUE DAY: No WSL fan can quite recall the league without Rachel in one kit or another! Her CV already included Leicester City, Doncaster Rovers Belles and Birmingham City by the time she joined Chelsea in late 2013 – having no doubt impressed during Birmingham’s defeat of Chelsea in the previous year’s FA Cup final. Her time at the London club was short but productive, with Rach scoring six in a dozen appearances as they finished WSL runners-up, with Blundell and Groenen as team-mates. She notched three in a devastating League Cup rout of London Bees on 13 July 2014 on a day when the Blues scored 13!
RED LETTER DAY: After Chelsea came Notts County and Spurs, plus a return to Birmingham, before Williams signed for United in 2022. Since then, she’s built up a strong reputation as a super-sub (or ‘game changer’ might be a more apt description). Whether it’s putting us top of the WSL with the winner at Reading in 2023, or scoring late in the semis against Brighton to see us through to our first FA Cup final, she’s so often delivered when stepping off the bench. “I have
James began 2024 with a bang against her former club in SW6
Rattling the post on her debut (Aoife knows how close the shot was!)
every intention to just give everything when I cross that white line,” she said in 2023. “For me, it doesn’t make a difference whether you start, as long as you have an impact.” One of her leading contributions was as a starter against none other than Chelsea on 14 April 2024. United avenged our loss at Wembley the year prior with a first-ever win over the Blues, and Rach’s header after Lucia Garcia’s opener was the goal that sealed our Wembley spot. What a day!
FW LAUREN JAMES
UNITED APPS/GOALS: 56/28 (2018-21)
CHELSEA APPS/GOALS: 91/29 (2021-)
RED LETTER DAY: ‘LJ’ was one of our ‘Originals’ in 2018 and –while still only 16 – she soon put her name in our history books by netting our first-ever league goals, a brace within 23 minutes of the Championship opener away to Aston Villa. Lauren continued to rack up the goals at a real rate that term with 14 in 18 league matches, including a four-goal haul in the win v Palace to seal the second-tier title on 20 April 2019. Her scoring prowess continued into 2019/20 where
she would claim two more milestone moments: our first-ever goal in the WSL, against Liverpool (the day before her 18th birthday) and our first goal at Old Trafford, v West Ham in March 2021.
BLUE DAY: The Londoner left United for hometown club Chelsea in 2021, where she’d previously risen through their academy as a youngster. Her star has only continued to rise there, with James soon becoming a regular England starter. As much as we’d prefer to pick another game when selecting Lauren’s standout day for the Blues, it’s hard to look beyond her stunning solo performance against United at Stamford Bridge on 21 January 2024. The forward turned her ruthlessness on us with a lethal hat-trick, securing a 3-1 win for Chelsea en route to their fifth straight WSL title.
Williams’s arrival at United came in the same summer that her Chelsea team-mate Groenen departed for PSG
Williams brings the house down at LSV by doubling our lead in last season’s FA Cup semi win against her old club
A scene we’ll never forget at the Emirates
FW ALESSIA RUSSO
CHELSEA APPS/GOALS: 1/0 (2016)
UNITED APPS/GOALS: 59/27 (2020-23)
BLUE DAY: It might come as a surprise to some to learn that Russo’s first senior game came in Chelsea’s colours. The Kent-born forward started out in the youth system at Charlton before moving to the Blues, becoming captain of their development squad. Then, on 2 July 2016, aged 17, she had the opportunity to make her only appearance for the seniors. It was a cross-capital trip to London Bees in the League Cup (above), where the Bees pulled off an upset by beating Russo and co on penalties. After Chelsea, she had a brief spell at Brighton before moving to the US to play for collegiate team North Carolina Tar Heels.
RED LETTER DAY: When Alessia was lured back to the UK in 2020, it was by the team she wore the shirt of as a kid. She took little time to make an impact, opening her account against former club Brighton in only her second game, and Russo was nominated for the league’s Player of the Month at the first opportunity. Alessia would go on to be our top scorer and Players’ Player of the Year in her second term of ’21/22, but many of her best goals came in her last campaign here, when she finished as our joint top 2022/23 scorer alongside Leah Galton. Away to future employers Arsenal on 19 November 2022, she was the hero we needed to round off an unforgettable 3-2 comeback win.
MANAGER CASEY STONEY
CHELSEA APPS/GOALS: 145/33
CHELSEA PLAYER/MANAGER RECORD:
P11 W8 D0 L3 (FEB-MAY 2009)
UNITED MANAGER RECORD:
P77 W52 D6 L19 (JUN 2018-MAY 2021)
BLUE DAY: Who else could we have chosen to guide our dream ‘purple’ team? Casey first joined Chelsea as a 12-year-old and by the time she returned for her second spell in 2007, she was already an England international, with winner’s medals in both league and cup while at Arsenal and Charlton. The defender took on a whole new challenge with the Blues when she took over as player-manager after boss Steve Jones stepped down in February 2009. Still only 26, she had a very respectable record in her surprise stint at the helm, with Chelsea winning seven of their final eight league games – ending with a 4-0 win v Blackburn on 3 May 2009 – to finish third in the top flight. Not bad for a first-time boss...
RED LETTER DAY: As she once told us, management was “the only way for me” after hanging up her boots in February 2018. After a few months working in Phil Neville’s England coaching set-up, United came knocking and Casey made the call to take her first permanent head coach job at what she called “the biggest club in the world”. Her tenure saw promotion to the WSL, followed by two fourth-place finishes in the WSL during the disruption of the pandemic. Asked in a lockdown interview in 2020 about her top moment here, she said: “It’s an easy one: winning the Championship. More so to see the smiles on the faces of my players and staff [at the presentation on 11 May 2019 after we’d beaten Lewes], because I knew how much hard work they’d put into winning it.” ●
Helping our young people tell their stories.
FOLLOW ALONG
SPECIAL DAY AT THE CLIFF
Youngsters embrace a festival of football as part of Women’s History Month
Female participants from across Manchester United Foundation’s partner schools were invited to the historic Cliff training ground for a girls’ football festival, in celebration of iconic players who have paved the way in the women’s game.
Over a hundred girls from five partner primary schools and four partner high schools were invited to the fun-filled day, taking part in activities and workshops to help hone their skills, have new experiences, and learn more about female players from over the years.
The activities included a whistle-stop refereeing session, football tennis, reaction-testing, target-shooting, VR headsets that simulated playing at Old Trafford, small-sided games, and an interactive workshop where the participants found out more about past and present women’s players and their contribution to football.
Shania-Marlene, a pupil from Manchester Enterprise Academy in Wythenshawe, said: “I’ve really enjoyed doing these fun things and spending time with friends outside of school. My favourite thing has been the referee training. The coaches helped us understand everything.”
Classmate Caoimhe added: “Not many people get opportunities like this, so it
makes me feel really special to be chosen – I loved the activities like the shooting and little games.”
Izzy Tyler, primary delivery officer for the Foundation, said: “We had so many activities. My workshop focused on looking at all the different women who have contributed to football over the years. I think the girls really
embraced the day and learned a lot – it was a really fantastic day.”
The event concluded an action-packed month of March, during which participants from across all Foundation programmes engaged in activations to celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. From career workshops, football tournaments and a visit to the National Football Museum, young females have received opportunities to widen their aspirations for the future and play their part in gender equality in sport and other industries.
The many activities were enjoyed by students from across nine schools
Taking a breather in the dugout during a busy day at The Cliff
Tonight’s visitors: CHELSEA
About our opponents...
Nicknames: The Blues
Founded: 1992
Ground: Kingsmeadow (4,850 capacity)
This season: WSL, currently 1st; FA Cup finalists (to be played 18 May); League Cup winners; Champions League semi-finalists
Top scorer (all competitions):
Aggie Beever-Jones, Guro Reiten (12)
Chelsea stepped into the season without Emma Hayes at the helm for the first time in over a decade, but the Londoners could hardly have wished for a more seamless transition into the new era.
“I hope to live up to Emma’s legacy and continue the work that’s been done in recent years,” was how Sonia Bompastor introduced herself upon being appointed last May. The French boss certainly began with a bang, as her side won each of her first 14 games in charge across all competitions.
A self-confessed “really bad loser”, Bompastor may have a competitive streak to match her predecessor, but there are key differences too. Midfielder Erin Cuthbert has spoken of a greater focus on “technical execution”, as well as the way Chelsea now build their play from the back.
The personnel have evolved as well. Bompastor hasn’t had the benefit of Sam Kerr, sidelined since January 2024, or Sophie Ingle, yet to kick a ball this season either, while Niamh Charles was out until December. Lucy Bronze was a new arrival last July
and there are more prominent roles for midfielder Sjoeke Nusken, and forwards Aggie Beever-Jones and Maika Hamano. The club also spent big in January to recruit US international defender Naomi Girma, and bring Keira Walsh back to England.
By March, Chelsea had taken 40 points from a possible 42 in the WSL and were awaiting a League Cup final and Champions League quarter-final, both against Manchester City. They twice saw off Nick Cushing’s side, lifting the season’s first silverware and progressing in Europe. The FA Cup final against United is also to come at Wembley on 18 May.
But Chelsea’s ambitions of winning a first UWCL were brutally ended on Sunday, as Barcelona –previously victors over the Blues in the semi-finals of 2023 and 2024 – made it three in a row; the Catalans progressing via a pair of humbling defeats for the London side, both by a 4-1 margin. It was the weekend scheduling of the second leg that led to their latest trip to LSV being rescheduled for tonight, and juggling multiple competitions since
Chelsea’s no.9 Macario scored twice against Palace in the Blues’ most recent WSL game
LAST LINE-UP:
v BARCELONA (HOME, UWCL), 27.04.25
HEAD COACH
After spending 2010-2024 at Lyon – as a player, academy coach and finally first-team boss (where her side won 100 of her 118 games in charge) – Sonia Bompastor arrived at Kingsmeadow last summer incredibly well prepared for the demands of leading Chelsea. The 44-year-old won the French league and UWCL as both player and manager, and the former midfielder represented Les Bleues 156 times as a player.
the winter break hasn’t been easy for Bompastor’s Blues. Although still unbeaten in the WSL after 19 games, March did see them drop points in fixtures they’d have been heavy favourites to win: a 2-2 draw at Brighton, with the repeat scoreline coming at home to West Ham to end the month. They did look back to their ruthless best against Crystal Palace last time out in the WSL, however, winning 4-0 thanks to goals from Guro Reiten (a penalty), Catarina Macario (2) and Mia Fishel. It left the Blues requiring four points – at a maximum – from their remaining three games to clinch a sixth straight title, with Tottenham (away) and Liverpool (home) to follow after tonight.
After sharing duties with Zecira Musovic last season, 24-year-old Hannah Hampton has established her herself as Chelsea’s preferred starter in 2024/25. The former Birmingham stopper was handed her senior club debut by Marc Skinner aged 16 and has a good chance of being named as England’s no.1 for Euro 2025 after starting four of the last five games for the Lionesses.
HOMEGROWN HERO
Among a cast of global stars, London-born Aggie Beever-Jones is, in her own words, “living the dream”, and a shining example to academy starlets of the pathway into the first team. The versatile 21-year-old forward, capped five times by England, was a ball girl at Kingsmeadow as a kid, wishing one day she’d step on to the pitch as a player. She has 12 Chelsea goals to her name so far this season.
Rewind to...
WEDNESDAY 13 APRIL 2011 ● IMPERIAL FIELDS
We’re still in April (just!), which is an exciting month in the Women’s Super League, as the jostling for final positions really starts to intensify. It wasn’t always this way, though, with the first six years of the WSL’s existence seeing the campaign get under way at this time of year, before the shift to the current autumn-to-spring schedule ahead of 2017/18.
It was 14 years ago this month when it all began, with tonight’s visitors Chelsea hosting the inaugural WSL fixture at what was their new home – Imperial Fields in Mitcham – and Arsenal being the opposition.
Only eight teams contested the newly branded, semi-professional WSL, with the pre-match pomp consisting of a set from girl band Parade (kudos to you, reader, if you recall their top 10 hit that year, Louder) and a mass of purple and white balloons released high into the south London sky.
As the first whistle blew for the evening kick-off, a crowd of 2,510 – a huge number at the time for a women’s game in this country – watched on as
Chelsea’s Helen Ward kicked the first ball in WSL history. But as the reigning national champions, Laura Harvey’s Gunners were favourites to make a winning start, and a 33rd-minute goal from (future Chelsea stalwart) Gilly Flaherty would ultimately prove enough on a pitch that wasn’t befitting for such a momentous occasion, with the sandy surface regularly affecting the bounce of the ball. Still, it could be considered a successful start for the new league, with ESPN’s cameras there to broadcast it live. It’s been quite a journey since, for both the WSL and the Blues, who are on the brink of confirming an eighth WSL title since it all began...
Led by Matt Beard in the dugout, Chelsea were narrowly beaten in WSL game no.1
Future Blues Katie Chapman, Niamh Fahey and Gilly Flaherty all lined up for Arsenal that night
FACTS & FUNNIES FROM FRED THE RED!
CAPTION ROUND
WE TAKE A GUESS AT WHAT THESE REDS WERE SAYING... YOU MIGHT HAVE OTHER IDEAS!
CLINTON:
“ YES, IT’S HARDER TO HUG LIKE THIS – BUT IT’S MORE FUN!”
BIZET:
TURNER:
“I’M NOT EVEN JUMPING – I’M JUST REALLY TALL!”
GALTON:
“OH WAIT, I’M NOT THE GOALKEEPER…”
“I THINK THESE CAPTIONS TOONEY SENT ME ARE BETTER!”
ARE THESE TOTALS HIGHER OR LOWER THAN MILLIE TURNER’S SQUAD NUMBER (ABOVE)? ANSWERS BELOW... OR
1. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF GAMES UNITED WILL PLAY HERE AT LSV THIS SEASON
2. THE NUMBER OF TEAMS IN THE WSL
3. THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS TO MAKE AN APPEARANCE FOR THE REDS THIS SEASON
4. HOW MANY GOALS UNITED HAVE CONCEDED AT LSV IN 2024/25
NAME GAME
YOU IDENTIFY THE FIRST NAMES SHARED BY THESE EX-REDS?
3. TOTAL GOALS TERLAND, GALTON AND TOONE HAVE BETWEEN THEM THIS SEASON SAME NAME BUT DIFFERENT SPELLING!
Stats AT THE BACK
WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE TABLE, 2024/25
UNITED APPEARANCES & GOALS, 2024/25
WSL TOP SCORERS, 2024/25
A CLOSER LOOK...
Millie Turner hit a milestone in our draw at West Ham, with it being her 100th WSL start for the Reds. The defender also has 20 starts in the Championship, the same number in the FA Cup, 26 in the League Cup and two in the Champions League, bringing her to 168 starts overall, alongside just two sub appearances to complete her 170 (below). Millie is one of three Reds who could yet reach 30 appearances this season.
WSL TOP ASSISTS, 2024/25
FIXTURES + RESULTS
ADDED-TIME QUIZ
It’s our last Leigh game of ’24/25, so here’s an LSV test...
Name the five current Reds who all made their first LSV appearance for United in last October’s 2-0 League Cup win over Liverpool.
What is our record attendance at LSV, set for the WSL game against Arsenal last November: 7,348, 8,348 or 9,348?
2. 1. 3.
Who scored in both the final game at LSV last season and the first such fixture of the current campaign?
4.
Which team did the Reds beat for the sixth time in six WSL games at LSV this season – the most such victories achieved against any club?
Who were the first competitive opponents at Leigh for both Casey Stoney and Marc Skinner? 8.
This season saw Crystal Palace become the 14th side to visit Leigh in a WSL fixture – but who was the first side, back in 2019?
5. 6. 7.
What is the current name (not the pre-2022 one!) of the rugby league team we share Leigh Sports Village with: Leigh _________?
Who are the only club the Reds have faced more times in the WSL at Old Trafford than at Leigh Sports Village?
9.
Name any of the five international teams to play a game here at LSV in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 tournament.
10.
Can you name the most recent Red to make their club debut at Leigh?
