MANCHESTER UNITED
INSide
YOUR MATCH PROGRAMME
HEAD COACH’S COLUMN
STORY OF THE FIRST LEG
TALK OF THE TERRACE
CAPTAIN’S COLUMN
INSIDE STORY FROM STOCKHOLM
ON TOUR WITH MUWSC!
FAN MESSAGES
500-GOAL INFOGRAPHIC
JAYDE RIVIERE EXCLUSIVE
THE OPPOSITION
JUNIOR REDS
ADDED-TIME QUIZ
MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB
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 Secretary Rebecca Britain
Honorary president Martin Edwards
MATCH PROGRAMME TEAM
Editor Charlie Ghagan Contributors Mikey Partington, Helen Rowe-Willcocks, Sean Mullan, Matt Holt, Zoe Hodges, Jamie Spencer, Matt Brown Design Tom Chase
Photography Charlotte Tattersall, Poppy Townson, Ash Donelon, Zohaib Alam, Getty, Alamy
Thanks to Ellie Decrop, Paul Davies, John Shiel, Ian Nolan, Benjamin Williams, Mark Froggatt
SKINNER Marc
THE BOSS SETS THE SCENE FOR A HUGE NIGHT UNDER THE LIGHTS, BEFORE SALUTING A NUMBER OF HIS REDS...
Welcome back to Leigh for an exciting night. It’s half-time in this tie and we are ready to show Brann how special LSV is, just like they showed in Bergen.
Brann got energy from their fans last week but we felt we were the better team. We know the task at hand tonight: we must perform with the same energy as last week but be more clinical in the finishing phase.
We took a lot of learnings from the first leg. We know what spaces to exploit, we know we need to be sharper in both penalty areas, and we need to finish the chances we will create. We pride ourselves on our energy, commitment, creativity and aggression and we need all these qualities to make this a special night.
Our fans are the best in England – you’ve shown that so many times. Against London City on Sunday, journalists commented to me about your noise and we’ll need to work together to bring that energy.
I’d like to take a moment to celebrate Maya Le Tissier’s 100th appearance on Sunday. She epitomises everything about our team and wearing the United badge. Here’s to the next 100 under her captaincy. Maya was not the only one celebrating at London City. Jayde Riviere marked her 50th appearance with her first goal, Hinata Miyazawa hit 50 appearances, and we got to see Fridolina Rolfo for the first time, in which she also got an assist. It’s fantastic as a coach to see these milestones and important to highlight the work these players put in.
I’d like to finish with a small word for Millie Turner. It’s never nice to see a player come off on a stretcher but we have a fantastic team helping her and I can’t wait to see her back on the pitch in red. Enjoy the game. Let’s get LSV rocking!
picture THE BIG
IT’S SO GOOD TO BE BACK!
Eleven days have passed since our last home outing, and what a memorable afternoon it was against Leicester City, for so many reasons. Just to be back at LSV to see the Reds for the first time since late April was reason enough for every home fan among the 4,325 crowd to have a spring in their step, and by the time Country Roads faded out over the sound system (albeit 10 seconds after the game had started!), Marc Skinner’s Reds already had the opposition on the back foot. It would take just over 12 minutes for United to open the scoring, with Ella Toone driving the ball beyond Foxes keeper Janina Leitzig and into the corner – a special moment for Ella, as she marked the first anniversary of her dad’s passing with her celebration (left). It would also be our 500th goal since the Reds were reformed in 2018 (see p30 for more on that). Elisabeth Terland and Melvine Malard (2) would complete the 4-0 win, and as for the rain... we’re struggling to recall the conditions ever being as bad here (at least since we took on Spurs in thick fog in 2020). To steal a line from a wise man called Forrest Gump, it was “rain that flew in sideways”, meaning even those in the back rows weren’t safe! We can only hope your match programme made it home intact...
Advantage BRANN AT
‘HALF-TIME’
HOSTS SECURE SLENDER LEAD, BUT REDS CAN TAKE BELIEF INTO RETURN
LEG AFTER BOSSING PLAY IN FRONT OF BIG CROWD...
Part one of our two-legged tussle with SK Brann in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Women’s Champions League saw United narrowly defeated 1-0 at Brann Stadion in Bergen, despite the Reds being the dominant side for much of the game.
Played in front of 16,019 fans – a record crowd for a women’s match in Norway – Marc Skinner’s side had several chances, through Ella Toone, Melvine Malard and Elisabeth Terland, but Brann keeper Selma Panengstuen was the star performer on the night.
United continued to push on in the second half, but it was the hosts who took the lead, with Ingrid
Stenevik heading in Signe Gaupset’s cross. Toone almost found an equaliser late on but the hosts were inspired by the vocal home crowd as they held on.
Our first chance came via Anna Sandberg, who found space on the left and delivered a great ball into the box, which Terland headed just wide of the target.
The Reds’ next opportunity came when Toone played a forward pass to Malard but our no.9’s cross was too close to the Brann keeper. Soon after, Lisa Naalsund pulled the ball back to Malard, who played it Toone, but her powerful shot was blocked.
Jess Park, making her first start, impressed in midfield. After receiving the ball from Hinata Miyazawa on the edge of the box, Park squared it to Toone, whose shot deflected towards the far bottom corner but Panengstuen, at full stretch, kept it out.
Sandberg then played a perfectly weighted pass into the box and Malard rolled it into the path of the Toone, who forced another good save by Panengstuen.
The atmosphere was far louder than our two previous UWCL games, played in Sweden
MATCH DETAILS
THIRD ROUND QUALIFIER, FIRST LEG
THURSDAY 11 SEPTEMBER,
BRANN STADION
BRANN 1
Stenevik 76
UNITED 0
ATT: 16,019
UNITED: Tullis-Joyce; Riviere, Le Tissier, Janssen, Sandberg (Turner 74); Naalsund (Zigiotti 78), Miyazawa, Toone; Park (Bizet Donnum 74), Terland, Malard
SUBS NOT USED: Rendell, Middleton-Patel, Hill, Rabjohn, Anderson BOOKED: Naalsund
A rare break for the hosts before half-time resulted in a corner that was cleared off the line by Maya Le Tissier, while an ambitious long-range effort from Gaupset forced Phallon Tullis-Joyce into a save. United started the second half brightly but Brann had cottoned on to Park’s threat, forcing us to adapt. The Reds looked in trouble as Lauren Davidson countered, but she smashed her shot wide. As the game ticked on, Brann sat deeper and United grew frustrated. Dominique Janssen’s shot was spilled by Panengstuen, who denied Park on the rebound. Then, on 76 minutes, Brann took the lead. Naalsund, who put in a real shift, gave away a free-kick in the final third and after the ball was whipped in by Gaupset, Stenevik found space to nod the ball home. Toone had one last chance, but the contest would end 1-0. The Brann players and fans celebrated with real gusto at full-time but the tie is only halfway through, with all eyes now on Leigh Sports Village.
LISA AND TERI’S WARM WELCOME
The game in Bergen was a special one for Lisa Naalsund and Elisabeth Terland, who both played a combined 134 appearances for Brann earlier in their careers. Despite wanting to get the better of their old side, the pair explained in a short interview before the match what it meant to them to be going “home”, and that cross-club video also featured words from Brann goalkeeper Selma Panengstuen and midfielder Signe Gaupset, making their return feel like a real event. Lisa and Teri received a warm welcome back, although it may not have been as toasty had Terland (below) netted the two headers she went close with. There was a nice moment after the break too, when the stadium announcer referenced Naalsund’s time at Brann as she was substituted, drawing an embracing reaction from the 16,019 fans at the game. All four sides of the intimate Brann Stadion were packed out, with the attendance beating the previous record for a women’s game in Norway, set 25 years ago for an international clash in Oslo.
Skinner’s side played in our new third kit for the first time
The boss and the United coaches head to the dugout
Terrace TAlk ofthe
THE PRE-MATCH CHAT AHEAD OF TONIGHT’S CUP CONTEST...
Yes, we lost 1-0 in Bergen last week, but it feels like we’re coming into this return game with momentum under our belts… That’s thanks to a big win on our return to action at the weekend, away to London City Lionesses. The 5-1 victory in our second WSL game of ’25/26 was both the perfect response to the narrow defeat in Norway, and the ideal preparation for what is a huge second leg tonight. Any concern about the quick turnaround between games was quashed when Maya Le Tissier scored a penalty on three minutes, and we were full value for the goals that followed from Jayde Riviere, Melvine Malard (2) and Jess Park.
There were a fair few notable milestones brought up in the capital too, right? Not least for captain Le Tissier, as she became just the seventh Red (after Toone, Zelem, Turner, Galton, Earps and Ladd) to play 100 games for United Women since our 2018 reformation. Maya’s remarkable availability, consistency and fitness (see the numbers on p43) will be celebrated when she is presented with a commemorative centurion shirt before kick-off tonight. And as Marc Skinner notes in his latest programme column, Riviere and Hinata Miyazawa also made their 50th United outings on Sunday, so congrats to you all. Who’ll be next to hit a milestone? Lisa Naalsund looks well placed – she needs just five more games to reach 50.
What a day it was on Sunday for Jayde then, having netted her first United goal in the game as well. The big question is: did she mean to shoot, or was it a cross? She sure did mean it. “If I had an intention of crossing, I would straight up say it,” our flying full-back asserted post-match. “I thought I would shoot – I saw the goalie cheat off her line, so I said, ‘why not?’” You could see in the celebrations that the goal meant a lot to Jayde too, having grown up as a United fan. Riviere wasn’t the only Red to open her account on Sunday either, with Park following
Sandberg keeps close tabs on ex-Red Nikita Parris four days ago
suit later on. That brilliant strike was teed up by her fellow new signing Fridolina Rolfo, who it was great to see make her debut off the bench. Could she get a first outing at LSV tonight?
That’s something to potentially look forward to. How are we looking on the team-news front, overall?
Well, Gabby George and Rachel Williams were also included in the matchday squad for the first time this season on Sunday, with George introduced late on for her maiden minutes of the term. She could build on those tonight. Recent absentees Simi Awujo and Leah Galton are getting closer to returns, but Skinner’s recent updates suggest that this game will come too soon for them. Meanwhile, these pages went to print before the boss addressed the media in his pre-Brann press conference, but it appears likely that Millie Turner is set for some time out after leaving the weekend’s contest on a stretcher and later being seen on crutches. We’re all wishing Millie a speedy recovery.
Here’s to that. How about tonight’s visitors, Brann – how did they get on at the weekend?
The Norwegian table-toppers beat Honefoss 2-0 in the league on Sunday, with two goals in four second-half minutes from forward Brenna Lovera the difference. It means Brann have won each of their last 12 fixtures and are a team in red-hot form. They should be pretty fresh too, having made eight changes from the starting XI that was named for the first leg on Sunday. Those energy reserves will be handy if the tie goes to extra-time, should the aggregate score be level after 90 minutes this evening, while a penalty shoot-out will be required if the teams are drawing after an additional period. The away-goals rule will not be in play.
It’s set up to be quite the contest and, if the atmosphere is anything like it was for the first leg, we’re in for a treat… Certainly. In his post-match interview, Skinner called the vast crowd (of 16,019) Brann’s “extra player” on their triumphant night. Now, the boss hopes our “Manchester energy” can make the difference here at Leigh. So, let’s be loud, be proud and do our bit to help get the Reds to the Women’s Champions League’s main stage for the first time in history. It could be a tense one, but there’s nowhere else we’d rather be than LSV.
The floodlights might have been on at lunchtime for our last game here, but we’ll see some proper dark skies in Leigh this evening (especially if the aggregate score is level after 90 minutes)
Rolfo: she’s a fast mover
LEAGUE PHASE DRAW OCTOBER’S TV PICKS
Tomorrow will see the UWCL ‘proper’ take shape, with 18 teams in the mix
The winner of tonight’s tie will be one of 18 clubs in tomorrow’s draw for the inaugural league phase of the 2025/26 Women’s Champions League.
As holders, Arsenal will be involved alongside eight sides who qualified on account of their most recent domestic-league finishes.
The top two in France (Lyon, Paris Saint-Germain) and Germany (Bayern Munich, Wolfsburg) are in, alongside national champions Chelsea, Benfica, Juventus and Barcelona.
The remaining eight places will be filled by those to emerge triumphant from the other third-round qualifiers, all of which are set to be decided tonight.
Valerenga and Twente look well-placed to advance, holding three and four-goal
leads over Ferencvaros and GKS Katowice respectively.
St Polten beat Fortuna Hjorring 3-1 in their first leg, while Oud-Heverlee Leuven are 2-0 up on Vorskla.
Sporting lead Roma 2-1, as do Real Madrid in their bout with Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Atletico Madrid v Hacken and Austria Wien v Paris FC ties are both all square going into tonight’s second legs.
Those to progress to the league phase will have games against six different opponents – three home, three away. Finishing in the top four of the 18-team table ensures a quarter-final spot, while finishing from fifth to 12th will mean a knockout-phase play-off.
As for the teams to exit tonight, they will go straight into the second qualifying round of UEFA’s new secondary competition, the Women’s Europa Cup, for which the draw will also be made tomorrow. It will take the format of a standard knockout cup from start to finish, with all ties – including the final – to be played over two legs.
United’s two WSL fixtures next month have been selected for television coverage. Chelsea’s visit to Leigh will be shown on BBC Three and, as a result, will kick off at 7.30pm on Friday 3 October. This slot is, however, subject to change around the progress of Leigh Leopards in the Super League play-offs. Meanwhile, our trip to Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium has been picked up by Sky Sports for a midday start on Sunday 12 October.
GOT A TICKET FOR SUNDAY?
The big games keep coming for the Reds, who host Arsenal here on Sunday at 2.50pm. Like United, the Gunners have won both their WSL games to date, so it’s an early-season, top-of-the-table clash between first and second.
Meetings with the Londoners have drawn our biggest Leigh crowds in each of the last two terms and we’d love your support again. A limited number of tickets are still available at the time of print –scan here for the latest availability.
The Reds’ first trip to Everton’s new home will be live on Sky
Barça and Arsenal in last season’s final
Live every week on Sky Sports, BBC, and YouTube.
Maya THE CAPTAIN
AFTER 100 GAMES, MAYA REFLECTS ON HOW SHE’S GROWN AS A PLAYER AND AS A PERSON SINCE BECOMING A RED...
To play 100 times for Manchester United, it’s amazing – although I actually had no idea until Marc told me following the game on Sunday! It was a nice surprise after the win. I feel very lucky to have been given the opportunity to play so many games for this club, and hopefully I will play many more.
I like to help the team wherever I can and to start the scoring off on Sunday was really
A goalscoring debut feels like a long time ago (three years and one day, to be precise!)
positive. I scored on my first appearance and now on my 100th, so that feels very special. They are great milestones to hit.
When I first joined I was still only 20 and I looked up to a lot of the players. I remember wondering if I was good enough to play for United. I learnt a lot off the players and staff and kept pushing myself, and now I hope I am a player that people look up to for experience and composure in the big games. I think I have definitely got better on the ball, in my all-round game, and as a person. There have been challenges and overcoming them makes you stronger.
We had fans out in Bergen and we are always appreciative every time you travel. At London City on Sunday, we could hear you so loudly – another long journey (if not as long as Bergen!) and it was a lunchtime kick-off in London. You travel with us everywhere we go and having a Champions League group-phase place on the line at home, we’ll need you to be our 12th player tonight to help get us over the line.
STOckholm six days in
IT WAS A VERY REWARDING WEEK OUT IN SWEDEN LAST MONTH FOR OUR UWCL OPENERS -AND CLUB REPORTER MATT HOLT (INSET) WITNESSED IT ALL...
TUESDAY 26 AUGUST
After boarding the United Women bus in the afternoon sunshine of Carrington, the entire travelling party headed to Manchester Airport in good spirits, where a chartered flight awaited to take us to Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport. My job? To report on this unique trip – a mini four-team tournament to decide Champions League progression – in all its (hopeful) glory.
Barely two hours after take-off, we were on the tarmac in the Swedish capital, and following a short bus journey we arrived at border control, facing some typically stern-looking officials, eager to check our documentation. Cue Millie Turner providing the first belly laughs on Scandinavian soil, as she turned to ask her team-mates: “Oh, do I need my passport?”.
With a United staff member having only minutes earlier reminded everyone on the coach to bring
nothing else but said document, her fellow Reds couldn’t hold back the giggles, and the jovial probes commenced – something Millie didn’t hear the end of as we all re-entered our transportation minutes later.
A short journey to the city provided everyone with a chance to see some early sights from the coach windows. Situated on 14 islands, all of which are part of a vast archipelago on the Baltic Sea, Scandinavia’s biggest city is an impressive place, and as a first-time visitor I was as excited as anyone to be here.
Many of the Reds know this part of the world far better than me, of course, including summer signing Fridolina Rolfo, back in her home country on her first trip away fixture with United. As we headed into the city, captain Maya Le Tissier used the time to chat with Frida – still out through injury – about family, and her footballing journey, from Sweden to Spain and beyond.
After checking in at the hotel and enjoying a meal, the focus turned to the following day, with an important semi-final (and early start) against PSV.
A few brief chats were needed in preparation for our Dutch opponents, with United’s team analysts joining Jayde Riviere to advise her on the importance of her role down the right. For a Sunday league novice such as myself, it provided fascinating insight.
Manager Marc Skinner also sat with Lisa Naalsund for a tactical talk, which we’d later surmise was about the plan to start the Norwegian further up the pitch, in support of compatriot Elisabeth Terland. A shrewd tactical move, as we would discover...
WEDNESDAY 27 AUGUST
While a midday weekend game is commonplace in the WSL, a high-noon clash in Europe on a Wednesday made for an unfamiliar feeling for everyone inside the 3Arena (better known as Stockholmsarenan in these parts) – myself included as media staff found our own positions inside the stadium in preparation for covering the game against the Vrouwen Eredivisie side.
Not that space was at a premium within the impressive 30,000-seater arena, with fewer than 400 fans in attendance. Considering the early kick-off in midweek, and the respective journeys from Manchester and Eindhoven, it was understandable, but the MUWSC members, along with some members of the Stockholm Reds, ensured some loud representation from our supporters’ clubs.
As kick-off approached, The Stone Roses’ Elephant Stone gave everyone a taste of Manchester over the speakers. A nice touch (and a cracking tune), although whether the stadium DJ accidentally played this instead of This is the One, we may never know.
It wasn’t long before referee Vanja Jankovic blew her whistle and we were into the action. And Marc Skinner’s Reds didn’t take long to get going, with Terland’s seventh-minute settler (teed up by an alert Naalsund) easing any early nerves. Come full-time, Teri would have her first United hat-trick, alongside a poacher’s finish from newly wed Celin Bizet Donnum. With Naalsund pulling the strings, the Norwegian trio were clearly enjoying being back in Scandinavia.
With part one of the Stockholm mission complete, it was back to the hotel, and with plenty of the day
Matt and the rest of the content team on the 3Arena pitch
Water: there’s lots of it in Stockholm
The United fans made themselves heard against PSV
remaining on account of the early kick-off, it was time for a spot of sightseeing. The media team took a trip to the municipality of Vaxholm, a one-hour boat ride from Stockholm city centre. The boat was packed with tourists and is seen as an easy way to get around, due to nearly a third of the wider Stockholm region being covered by water. On a warm day, how we all enjoyed immersing ourselves in Scandinavian culture, which included plenty of breaks for coffee and cakes. Result! As Wednesday went on, some of our group met up with MUWSC and the Stockholm Reds at a bar under the 3Arena to watch the men’s team in Carabao Cup action at Grimsby. The less said about that, the better.
THURSDAY 28 AUGUST
For the United players, this was a designated day off, and in the hotel lobby as she planned an exploration of the city, Leah Galton joked that she was happy to be keeping a low profile in Stockholm, without having photographers follow her every move. Club staff provided some helpful recommendations of things to do and see. When it came to coffee and cakes, I now had many recommendations of my own, but reasoned it would be more professional to keep quiet, with just two days to go until our ‘final’ against hosts Hammarby.
FRIDAY 29 AUGUST
The football boots were back on for Skinner’s squad, with training taking place at the beautiful setting of
Boson training complex – the designated national development centre for all sports in Sweden. Built in the 1930s and located alongside the beautiful Lake Hornavan, a teenage Pele and the rest of the Brazil squad had used it as a base for the 1958 FIFA World Cup, and the Reds were made to feel very welcome.
As preparations ramped up for the following day’s game, Skinner spent time away from the main group to speak with his coaches and analysts. Training was largely focused on the team’s shape and what to do out of possession, with a drone deployed to capture minute tactical details from the sky.
For all the focus, the mood of the squad remained relaxed. Melvine Malard grinned at the club cameras when she saw us, while one camera operator almost took a ball to the face as a wayward shot prompted a laugh from the group. And there was a touching moment, as Dominique Janssen took time out from
The players were kept on their toes in the days between the two fixtures
A show of solidarity with team-mate Anna
QUALIFIERS IN SWEDEN
the session to show some love to Anna Sandberg, whose mum sadly passed away over the summer. Anna didn’t fly with the group, instead arriving late so she could spend more time with her family. The support from the squad had been clear to see in the win against PSV, when the players stood as one after our opening goal, each creating a love heart while pointing to the sky – something Janssen explained to club media in a walk-and-talk video following training.
With the session over for the day, it was back to our hotel for some vital recovery. A crunch day lay ahead, and as eight of the girls played cards on the hotel balcony floor, the squad cohesion was clear to see. There were many laughs as they wound down at the end of a busy day.
Saturday 30 AUGUST
With our final against Hammarby being a 7pm kick-off, the build-up to the final was very different than the PSV match. For those of us away from the playing staff, we returned to the 3Arena early – early enough to watch Ruben Amorim’s Reds face Burnley on the screens of the press box. United’s director of women’s football Matt Johnson joined us, with big cheers echoing around as Bruno Fernandes won it late on.
Safia Middleton-Patel then joined us for a chat as she headed out for an early warm-up, telling us how much she’d been enjoying the social content posted from the trip. You can’t beat a bit of player feedback. And then for the main event as the clocked ticked on to 7pm. Witnessed by a far larger crowd of 5,546, Hammarby were a physical side who had their moments in front of goal, and it took a bit of magic from Malard to set up Terland to smash home the game’s only goal, scored just after the hour mark.
Cheered on by over 300 United fans, the full-time whistle from Czech ref Michaela Pachtova signalled
high-fives all round from those in red on the pitch. Skinner and his squad were quick to acknowledge the travelling supporters, many of whom had faced big challenges to make it to Stockholm for the two games – be it missing the PSV win due to the flight’s arrival time, or travelling up via Amsterdam to cut costs.
After a few more renditions from the pages of the MUWSC songbook, and with Jayde Riviere now among those in the stands as she sat with her dad, the 3Arena began to empty and we all joined the squad in making our way back to the hotel for the final night. With some decompression time needed before bed, everyone stayed up for a while back at the hotel. A few of us enjoyed a couple of drinks, while Rachel Williams provided the light entertainment, asking our club photographer if she could “edit more hair” on to her head, after Leah and her had posed for some candid photos that were later posted on social media.
SUNDAY 31 AUGUST
After checking out of the hotel, we were soon up in the air and Manchester-bound. Once back on home soil, Skinner’s squad went their separate ways as the curtain finally closed on a successful week in Sweden – a trip that was about solidarity between players, staff and fans alike as much as the professionalism out on the pitch. It was a pleasure to be there to witness it all, and hopefully there will be many more UWCL adventures to enjoy in the months ahead. ●
“Where’s your passport, where’s your passport, where’s your passport, Millie T?”
Hammarby fans (in their home stadium) added to the occasion under the Saturday-night lights
Coaches and players thank the Reds in the stands following our second win of the week
MUWSC
MARCHENRY FROM OUR SUPPORTERS’ CLUB SHOWS US HIS STOCKHOLM CAMERA REEL...
“It was a good flight from Manchester, which left bang on time. Once there, we made our way through to the city centre. It was [wife and MUWSC chair, back right] Deb’s first time in Sweden, but I’ve been to Stockholm before, for the 2017 Europa League final. Roughly 50 Reds travelled from the UK. We let people do as they wanted and met up as and when we could. People made their own plans – some wanted museums; others chose theme parks!”
“This is Gamla Stan, a wonderful old part of Stockholm. The palace is there, and it’s very picturesque. The weather was great, shorts and T-shirt. It was so nice to walk around.”
“This is outside the ABBA museum. One of the people I sit next to at Old Trafford recommended it so we asked a few in the group chat, jokingly, if they’d be up for it. I’m not a huge fan, but I now get why if you do visit Stockholm you have to go!”
“The stadium was lovely, but eerily quiet for the PSV game. There were 350 people there, but the hospitality from the stewards was so good. A few United fans on another flight missed this game, but I know some who got buses [from more local areas] – we were taking bets on how much of the game they’d get to see!”
“My team photo! The team looks really organised, and in my opinion, this is the most balanced the midfield has ever looked at United. Hinata and Julia both seem to have a calmness about them, and clean sheets seem to be following us around.”
“The cost of Stockholm was definitely a concern – you always read online how expensive it can be out there –but we actually found it to be much cheaper than we thought it would be. We found a place in Gamla Stan called Kaffekoppen – a quaint café which did coffee and cakes. That was probably my favourite place from across the few days we had.”
“We had checked baggage, so we took four flags! I spoke to the Hammarby supporter liaison officer the week before and got a lovely response, saying they were happy to accommodate us.”
“This shot is of MUWSC and the Stockholm Reds [supporters’ club], and we all feel we wear the same badge and are one big family. It was very different to the Paris trip in 2023, when we flew in and out in a day. The downtime in Sweden gave us a chance to deepen relationships with people. So this trip was right up there for me.”
Stands IN THE WHO’S HERE
↓ Season ticket holder Molly dreams of being the next Phallon.
↑ Happy 20th birthday, Jemima! Love from Dad.
↑ The Broadbent family are back as season ticket holders for their second season at LSV.
FOR TONIGHT’S BIG GAME?
↓ Here is Cayley, she is three and this is her second season coming to LSV with her mum.
↑ Baby Teddy loved his first visit to LSV, at just 26 days old!
← Hello to Verity, who plays for Market Drayton Tigers (and is also a ref!)
↑ Lucas Whiteside and his dad have been supporting our Reds since the very start in 2018.
↑ Rach fan Alexa recently completed her first week in high school. Well done!
↓ Lucy loves an LSV trip with her dad Simon.
↑ Here is Jamie Bassnett with his son Luca in May’s Manchester derby.
● John Reid is a United Women season ticket holder and will be here tonight, as he is for every game. Come on, Reds!
● ‘Let’s go and make it a good season, Reds!’ says dedicated United fan Jessica Pattinson.
● ‘We are gonna win, and qualify,’ says a very confident Eric Mensah about our Champions League ambitions.
● Shout-out to Grace Michael, who is at her first game tonight, having travelled with her dad from Derbyshire.
Helping our young people tell their stories.
FOLLOW ALONG
Helping our young people tell their stories.
FOLLOW ALONG
ON THE AIRWAVES
Participants practise radio and podcasting skills at Manchester studio
Manchester United Foundation participants enjoyed an audio and broadcasting workshop at LGBTQ+ radio station, Gaydio, thanks to the charity’s Presenting Partner, DXC Technology.
Always seeking unique and inspiring ways to inspire and engage its participants, the Foundation gave a group of media-savvy students – all of whom are LGBTQ+ allies – from partner schools Waterhead Academy and Kingsway Park High School the opportunity to take part in the special day of activities at Gaydio’s Manchester studio.
“I’m Elizabeth, and thank you for listening to Gaydio!” said one of the participants, making her unofficial bow on the airwaves as she opened one of the mock radio show broadcasts.
The experience was funded by DXC Technology, giving youngsters the opportunity to learn about different roles in the industry, write and rehearse their own live radio introductions, and discover how podcasts are created before recording their very own – covering the topics of diversity and inclusion in sport.
“It’s been really eye-opening, and it’s helped me figure out that this could actually be a cool profession to pursue,” said Ethan, a student from Waterhead
Academy. “It doesn’t feel like a normal job; it feels a lot more fun and interactive. I love how welcoming this place is no matter what pronouns you use, no matter who you like, no matter what gender you are. There’s a little bit of everyone here, and it makes you feel really connected.”
Meanwhile, Elizabeth said: “We’ve been learning about different ways of getting into the media, and how radio stations work. I’ve really enjoyed doing something new, something that we wouldn’t normally get to do: recording ourselves, doing a radio intro and, overall, just having fun!”
Thank you to DXC Technology and Gaydio for providing this incredible opportunity.
These podcasts are available to view at: bit.ly/GaydioPod
The enthusiastic students enjoyed every minute of their day at the Gaydio studio
One student embraces the chance to get behind the mic
1. KAYLA RENDELL
Our no.1 was named in the senior England squad in April last year, before joining us in January from Southampton. She impressed in goal in the World Sevens in May.
2. ANNA SANDBERG
The left-back played 22 games in her maiden Reds season of ’24/25, and the young Swede looks set to really kick on this season, having started all five games to date.
6. HANNAH BLUNDELL
Back in action following maternity leave, our 2022/23 Players’ Player of the Year lined up as a senior for the U21s last week – her first game since baby Romi’s birth in March.
SQUAD SN APSHOTs
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THOSE IN RED
3. GABBY GEORGE
After arriving from Everton in summer 2023, Gabs bounced back from injury to play 26 games last term. Highly consistent out wide, she’s a massive United fan.
7. ELLA TOONE
A double Euros winner with England, our record scorer and appearance maker has started ’25/26 strongly, scoring our first goal of the new WSL campaign.
4. MAYA LE TISSIER
Maya has a century of games under her belt since signing from Brighton in 2022. She took the skipper’s armband last summer, and fired in a penalty on Sunday.
8. JESS PARK
The England midfielder, 23, arrived from Manchester City on deadline day, and she already looks at home here – the high point being her goal last Sunday.
The French forward made her loan move from Lyon permanent in July 2024. A menace inside the box, she’s been brilliant so far this term, with four goals to her name.
Our new no.10 (‘Teri’ wore 19 last season) has started ’25/26 as strongly as Malard, with five goals in five games – four of which have come in our UWCL qualifiers.
9. MELVINE MALARD 10. ELISABETH TERLAND 11. LEAH GALTON
One of our remaining ‘Originals’, the winger has 44 goals in 162 games. Once back to full fitness following injury she’ll be keen to add to those numbers in 2025/26.
The left-sided summer signing is equally comfortable in attack or defence, and won her 100th cap for Sweden at the Euros. She made her Reds debut on Sunday.
The Norwegian forward has a new name after getting married this summer. She got off the mark for ’25/26 in our opening game, v PSV – her seventh goal for the Reds.
Previously a team-mate of Terland at Brighton, the 27-year-old defensive midfielder spent last season at Bayern Munich, before joining the Reds in late July.
Rach is rightly proud of her ‘super sub’ role, having stepped off the bench to score so many times since July 2022. In July she signed a one-year contract extension.
The Canadian won the Breakout Star award in May’s World Sevens, and she’ll be keen to add to her 17 appearances in midfield in ’25/26 once she returns from injury.
The experienced no.16 turned 30 in June, and was in the starting XI for our ’25/26 opener in Stockholm. The ex-Brann player always brings composure to the Reds midfield.
Having overcome injury in her debut campaign of 2023/24, last term saw Hini have a much bigger impact, and she’s been a regular starter so far this season.
Another to sign a new deal this summer, the 20-year-old keeper – who played for Wales at the Euros – made her Reds debut in our cup win v Newcastle last year.
Named in last season’s PFA WSL Team of the Year, Jayde’s started the new term strongly, scoring her first United goal on Sunday, in what was her 50th appearance.
Another midfielder who brings plenty of knowhow to the team, Dom has 128 Netherlands caps to her name alongside spells at SGS Essen, Arsenal and Wolfsburg.
The ever-dependable centre-back has been the ultimate team player since her 2018 debut. Last Sunday saw her leave the action through injury away to London City.
With 13 clean sheets, PTJ shared the ’24/25 WSL Golden Glove with Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton. This year has also seen the brilliant 28-year-old make her USA debut.
47. JESSICA ANDERSON (MF); 48. SIENNA WAREING (MF); 52. SCARLETT HILL (DF)
Stadium (Crystal Palace); The Dripping Pan (Lewes); Princes Park (Millwall Lionesses); 4: BetWright Stadium (Tottenham); Kingsmeadow (Chelsea); Maiden Castle (Durham); Olympic Legacy Park (Sheff Utd); Prenton Park (Liverpool); Wembley; 3: Adams Park (Reading); Ewen Fields; Joie Stadium (Man City); Mangata Developments Stadium (Arsenal); Silverlake Stadium (Southampton); Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Tottenham); 2: Ashton Gate (Bristol City); Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground (Sunderland); Fairfax Park (Bridgwater United); GT Stewart Stadium (Charlton); Rush Green Stadium (West Ham); St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park (Birmingham); 1: Amex Stadium (Brighton); Anfield (Liverpool); New Ferens Park (Durham); Parc des Princes (PSG); Stamford Bridge (Chelsea); Twerton Park (Bristol City); VBS Community Stadium (Crystal Palace)
DID YOU KNOW, TOONEY’S GOAL TO KICK OFF OUR 4-0 VICTORY AGAINST LEICESTER WAS THE 500th IN UNITED WOMEN’S HISTORY? HERE WE BREAK DOWN THAT MILESTONE FIGURE...
QUICKEST GOAL
unitEd -- it’s an 50 gAmes for hOnour
IT’S A MILESTONE MONTH FOR JAYDE RIVIERE, AND AHEAD OF OUR CANADIAN CANNON HITTING HER
HALF-CENTURY, SHE JOINED US TO DISCUSS HER PFA-AWARD PRIDE, LINKING UP WITH JESS, AND HOW HER FAMILY CONTINUE TO INSPIRE HER...
Interview Mikey Partington
How much have you enjoyed the season so far and being back in that competitive environment, because it’s something you seem to thrive on?
FACTFILE
FULL NAME
Jayde Yuk Fun Riviere
DATE OF BIRTH
22 January 2001
PLACE OF BIRTH
Markham, Ontario, Canada
POSITION Defender
YOUTH CAREER
Pickering SC, Markham SC, Vancouver Whitecaps REX
COLLEGE CAREER
2019-22 Michigan Wolverines
SENIOR CAREER
2022 AFC Ann Arbor, 4 apps, 0 goals
2023- Manchester United, 50 apps, 1 goal
INTERNATIONAL CAREER
2022- Canada, 50 caps, 1 goal
Yeah, we’ve just played our first WSL game but I feel like we’ve been playing games already because we were in the Champions League. So, it’s been a blessing in terms of feeling ready for that first league game. We had a long pre-season, we went through some hell in Marbella [smiles], but ultimately, it’s been great. To see the girls, to reconnect with the girls coming from the Euros too, to go to Marbella and get our heads right, and then come in and play some friendlies and get some good opponents – and then
jump right into the Champions League. I think the Leicester game was a great game in terms of our flow, and obviously we still have a lot more to work towards. But integrating all the new players in as well, playing with new people – it’s been great.
The win over Leicester was the perfect way to start the WSL season. We loved your passionate celebration when you assisted Elisabeth Terland’s goal – it shows what this all means to you… You know what? I said that I celebrated like I scored the goal, but it was more just that I’m really keen to try to push myself in training and something that I constantly work on is crossing. So, for me, I wasn’t getting it right during that week and it was really frustrating me, especially because I was coming off of injury and just trying to get my footing and my bearing. So, I finally got it right in the game and obviously the one person you would want to put it on the head of is Teri. So, I ended up celebrating like I scored. It was very passionate, I would say!
It was a top win, and you referenced those two UWCL games we had before that in Sweden. How much of a competitive advantage do you think they gave us going into that WSL opener? They were pivotal for our preparation. We were going into Leicester having already played two games, and let alone two knockout-round games. Very crucial games. We kind of had to go through that adversity really early on before the league season even started and although it’s hard having to play these back-to-back games, we have the squad to be able to do it and it builds resilience on our team. Going into Leicester, we’d already just played two teams and knocked them out of the Champions League, so that competitive edge is already there. We weren’t holding back against Leicester either. I think the scoreline
proved that, and we could have had more as well. So, those two Champions League games were really pivotal in terms of our preparation for Leicester.
Speaking now ahead of facing Brann [away], what does a tie like this mean to the squad and to you as well, being able to play in the Champions League? We play for Manchester United; it’s not an easy badge to wear over your heart. You’re expected to work hard and bring home trophies. So, for us, Champions League was our goal last season, and we got there. Now, it’s to continue our path in the Champions League and to get as far as even winning it. But at the end of the day, United is a club built on the foundation of trophies and legacy and history. So, we want to do that exactly. Going into Brann, the expectation is the same. This is a battle, this is a competition that we want to still be a part of. And we had a taste of what this was like two seasons ago when we played PSG home and away, and that was really a hard pill to swallow, so we’ve made it to that point again. I think now it’s about really working hard to make sure we continue our process going into the Champions League.
You’ve spoken in the past about supporting United growing up – do you have memories of watching Champions League fixtures?
Yeah, I mean my dad’s a huge United fan and I have early memories of sitting in front of a TV screen, and my dad giving me a notebook and a pen
and I’m writing down things about the different players. My favourite player was Nani. So, I’d mimic what he does, and then we’d head to the pitch, like a 10-minute walk from us, and go do the same things. So, it is kind of a full-circle moment. And when my dad visits, he’s like a kid in a candy store, seeing Old Trafford and singing the songs. So, Manchester has always been close to my heart in that sense.
I’dmimicwhat nanidid,thenmy dadandiwould headtothepitch andgodothe samethings
You referenced the PSG games, which were your first United starts. Two years on, how do you think you’ve developed from the player that played in those games to the one that will face Brann? If I look back, it was a kid coming straight out of university that had never really played for a pro team. I signed for United and played in the Champions League against arguably one of the best teams. Now, I think I’ve matured a lot, I’ve developed, I’ve been pushed by my team-mates, and I feel like I’ve always had this eagerness to learn. You can never be too young or too old to learn something. So, for me, that’s the mindset I go into training with. After training sessions I’m always doing repetitions and stuff because I just want to extend my toolbox, if you will. So, from then to now, the 22-year-old that was playing there was just trying to get her groundings, especially as a winger in the first leg trying to understand how to play the position! Now, I think I’m trying to solidify my place as a full-back in this league.
You solidified it pretty well last season in the WSL, being included in the PFA Team of the Year. What was that night like in Manchester recently, picking up your award for that?
That was an awesome night. I feel like walking on a red carpet has some sort of magical feeling of like, ‘Wow, you really made it!’. It was great to see our whole right-hand side, including Phallon, with Maya and myself, be included. I think that shows the relationship we have. So, being able to share that night with them was awesome. Then, I feel like one of the biggest accolades you can have is to be nominated by your own peers to receive an award. The fans are the 12th person on that field, but to know I left a mark after a game on my opponents? That was the highlight for me, knowing I took that award home voted for by my peers; the people I played against every weekend.
The trophy is pretty cool as well – the shirt with your name and number on…
It’s not bad, you know! A little jersey with your name, it’s very nice. I’ve put it right as I walk in my door so I can remind myself! But, yeah, my dad might steal it. He’s here at the moment and might take it home to Canada. So, it might not be there for too long [laughs]!
While we’re on milestones, at the time we’re speaking you’re two appearances away from 50 for United. You could have potentially made those
two appearances ahead of the second leg against Brann – how proud will you be to hit that landmark for the club you grew up supporting? I think when you get so caught up in how many games you’re playing and just trying to be the best player you can, you kind of forget about these little milestones that are actually quite big on a grand scale. Coming up to 50 games for United, that’s an honour. I was once a kid watching from a TV screen and never thought I would be living in England, like a nine-hour plane ride away, five-hour time change – you never really think about these things. So, I think, being able to represent this club but also have a little milestone under my belt is something I’m definitely proud of.
Your dad, and your whole family, must be so proud too. We’ve spoken about your dad, he’s been over here at some of the early-season games… Yeah, both my parents are huge supporters of mine. My dad was the more athletic one and my mom I would say is the more nurturing one in that respect. My mom was always making sure I eat well, I sleep well, and my dad was the one that was always like: ‘You know you’ve got to get the fundamentals down, right?’ So, to have both of their support, and also me leaving school early, was like a massive thing. They are very academic orientated; they allowed me to leave early knowing I’d still complete my degree. So, having your parents’ full support is obviously bigger than what you might think. Then even having my dad at the games – he’s getting his own photographer at this point, taking photos of him at the stadium! So, it’s been great having him around and you remember that. Even though you’re the player, a lot of this is driven by the people that you support and love. So, I’m not just doing this for myself, but obviously for my parents, for the time and hours they put into me as a kid.
Speaking of family, it feels like you really have one here at United too. Not least around two players that seem almost like sisters to you in Simi and Melvine. We saw on the ‘day in the life’ video you posted on social media that they’re next to you in the dressing room this season – how’s that going? Chaotic, to say the least [laughs]! But that is my little international group. Obviously, Simi is playing on the same national team, so it’s great for her to be here. She’s a United fan as well. And then, you know, Melvine is just this loud character that you just walk into the room and she’s obviously the centre stage of it, in a good way! We have a good group but, like you said, this whole team is honestly a special team. Like,
On the red carpet at the recent PFA Awards
Practice makes perfect with those pinpoint crosses
Since her first day as a Red, it’s been emotional for dad Tony
everyone gets along with everybody. You can talk and have conversations with whoever. I think that’s really special, especially for the highest of clubs and the highest level we play at. People can be getting more minutes than you or starting over you and we never let that affect each other. So, I think it’s been amazing, especially as an only child to be able to say I have 20-plus sisters. That’s something that’s really amazing, especially being so far away from home.
Are you still the DJ of the dressing room? I am, but Celin is the DJ too, so we start this little jam session now. We just throw in little mixes. That’s one of the most stressful jobs of the season! I can’t even lie... it’s not even the games [laughs]! It’s like, how to tailor it to everyone’s music! But Celin’s helped take the load off of it a bit.
We’ve obviously got some new players’ tastes for you to please now too – including Jess Park after her deadline-day arrival. We’ve already seen you two linking up on the right side. How is she settling in and what do you make of her as a footballer? She is just amazing. Honestly, I didn’t have an expectation, I’ve never met Jess before, aside from playing against her. But yeah, I think once we get that partnership down, we’re going to be a very dominant, dynamic duo. Just because our playing style is semi-similar – it’s very like nippy and quick. So, I think it’s something that the fans should be excited for and that we’re excited for. And in terms of a person, she’s a great person. She fits seamlessly into our team, in terms of her personality. She sits near me too in the dressing room, so she gets to experience the chaos of Mel, myself, Simi, and Millie as well! I think Jess has a load of experience, still being at a young age. Obviously, she went to the Euros as well, and she’s coming from a great team. City is not a team you take a lightly, especially being just across the way. So, she’s been amazing. She was showing me her dogs the other day too, so I think she’s going to fit in quite well. She seems very excited. She said that this is a great opportunity. She just wants to play and I think you’ll see a lot of her this season. I just want to make sure that I’m feeding her the balls and getting her in the right positions at the right times because I know she’s a lethal player when she gets going.
asanonlychild, tobeableto saythatIhave 20-plussisters atunited,That’s reallyamazing
Just to finish, let’s talk goals for this season. You alluded to them earlier but personally what are you looking to do and then, from a team point of view, we know that getting into the league phase of the UWCL is a big ambition… Yeah, in terms of team goals, we want to win trophies at the end of the day. We have this goal to obviously win the league. We’ve been to the FA Cup final three times now, which is another mini-milestone. We don’t take that lightly. Obviously, we want to go far in the Champions League as well. We want to be at the highest level that we possibly can. Individually, I want to continue to push myself. I want to be that attacking and defending kind of defender that can go up and down the flank, and get those crosses into the right people that are going to score. And also, just making sure that I’m also just creating good partnerships with my centre-back, usually being Maya, and whoever is my winger, my midfielder, and making sure I’m expanding all of our players’ repertoires. It’s a team sport and we have so many skilled and talented individuals, so how can I help get the best out of them? Ultimately though, we want to win, so that will be the main goal.
Riviere’s positivity and dedication has made her a vital part of the squad since her arrival in January 2023
TONIGHT’S VISITORS
SK BRANN
Last Thursday’s game in Bergen was the maiden meeting between United and Brann, but there’s much common ground between the clubs. Ex-Red Maria Thorisdottir signed with Brann last week, while current Reds Elisabeth Terland and Lisa Naalsund both won silverware during their respective spells there. Vilde Boe Risa is another former player, albeit under the club’s IL Sandviken guise prior to 2022. Brann’s historic journey to the UWCL quarter-finals in 2023/24 was overseen by ex-United assistant coach Martin Ho, now in charge at Spurs, before Leif Gunnar Smerud (right) took charge. Suffice to say, how Smerud would love to take Brann on another long European adventure this season...
RECENT FORM
Due to the nature of Norway’s football calendar, Brann are in the latter stages of their 2025 domestic season. While United were beating London City Lionesses on Sunday, the Bergen side secured a ninth straight Toppserien win – 2-0 against Honefoss – to extend their lead over nearest challengers and reigning champions Valerenga to seven points, albeit having played a game more. Smerud’s side have won 17 of their 20 league fixtures so far – with seven left to play – in search of a first title since 2022. Brann have managed to maintain momentum, despite losing chief goal threat and their 2024 Player of the Year Anna Aahjem to an ACL injury in April, with Ho departing for Spurs in July. To reach this stage of the Champions League, they secured second qualifying round wins over Inter Milan (2-1) and Braga (1-0).
The Toppserien side line up ahead of last Thursday’s first leg at Brann Stadion
WHO TO LOOK OUT FOR...
ABOUT OUR OPPONENTS...
Formed: 1978 (as IL Sandviken)
Nickname: The Pride of Bergen
Major honours:
Toppserien 2021 (as IL Sanviken), 2022; Norwegian Cup 1995 (as IL Sandviken), 2022
Last season (2024): Toppserien 2nd place; Norwegian Cup semi-finals; top scorer (all competitions): Anna Aahjem (19)
Record v United: P1 W1 D0 L0 F1 A0
Signe Gaupset (below) is only 20 years of age, yet last Thursday’s clash with United marked her 100th Brann appearance. The midfielder, who was in Norway’s Euro 2025 squad, scored the team’s second qualifying round semi-final winner against Inter. She shone during Brann’s previous Champions League run as a teenager, praised by then Lyon boss Sonia Bompastor for her technical skill and speed following a 2-2 group-stage draw against the record eight-time winners. Gaupset herself scored the stoppage-time equaliser in that 2023 game, while she also set up Ingrid Stenevik’s winner last Thursday. United dominated the stats in Bergen but were frustrated by goalkeeper Selma Panengstuen. The 22-year-old (below) was a winter signing ahead of the 2025 season, having impressed for former club Kolbotn. She made her Norway debut in June.
LAST
WEEK’S LINE-UP
v MANCHESTER UNITED
the leaders
It was August when Brann named 48-year-old Leif Gunnar Smerud as Ho’s successor as head coach. The Norwegian has been coaching for more than 20 years and notably spent the best part of a decade employed by the country’s football federation –primarily as men’s Under-21 coach but also serving as an interim for the men’s and women’s senior national teams. Smerud was appointed Crystal Palace Women manager in March but he left the club two months later. On the pitch, Karoline Haugland is Brann’s leader with the armband. The 27-year-old midfielder has been with the club since 2023 and brought significant experience from a lengthy association with Arna-Bjornar. But from 2019 until joining Brann, she was simultaneously enrolled at university in the United States, studying teaching, and only returning to play in the Toppserien whenever breaks allowed.
Goalkeeper Panengstuen was in superb form for the visit of the Reds
AUTHEN TYNNILA
FUNNIES & PUZZLES FROM FRED THE RED!
JA OR NOR?
SIX REDS – BUT WHICH THREE ARE FROM NORWAY AND WHICH THREE ARE SWEDISH? DRAW LINES TO THE CORRECT FLAGS!
CELIN BIZET DONNUM
LISA NAALSUND FRIDOLINA ROLFO
ANNA SANDBERG ELISABETH TERLAND
JULIA ZIGIOTTI OLME
Answers – Ja or Nor?: Norway: Celin Bizet Donnum, Lisa Naalsund, Elisabeth Terland; Sweden: Fridolina Rolfo, Anna Sandberg, Julia Zigiotti Olme. Hats off, Reds: 1. Ella Toone (Man City); 2. Nikita Parris (Everton); 3. Celin Bizet Donnum (West Brom); Where it all began: Dominique Janssen/SGS Essen; Melvine Malard/Lyon; Hinata Miyazawa/Tokyo Verdy Beleza; Phallon Tullis-Joyce/Miami Hurricanes; Millie Turner/Everton
HATS OFF, REDS!
19 JANUARY 2025, MAN CITY 2-4 UNITED
ELISABETH TERLAND FIRED HOME A BRILLIANT TREBLE IN THIS SEASON’S EUROPEAN OPENER – BUT CAN YOU IDENTIFY THE PREVIOUS THREE REDS TO BAG A HAT-TRICK? MATCH
11 JANUARY 2025, UNITED 7-0 WEST BROM
9 NOVEMBER 2023, UNITED 7-0 EVERTON
Helping our young people tell their stories.
FOLLOW ALONG
STATS AT THE BACK
WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE TABLE, 2025/26
UNITED APPEARANCES & GOALS, 2025/26
‘CAPTAIN CONSISTENT’ HITS CENTURY
WSL TOP SCORERS, 2025/26
WSL TOP ASSISTS, 2025/26
Malard’s best league campaign in front of goal came in 2021/22, when she scored 13 times for Lyon in France’s top flight
Sunday’s WSL win saw Maya Le Tissier become the seventh Red to make 100 appearances, and pleasingly for those (like us) who like nice round numbers, she scored her 10th United goal in the win. And incredibly, Maya’s landmark appearance came in the team’s 100th fixture since she signed from Brighton in July 2022. She hasn’t missed a single game since then, making 98 starts and two sub appearances, both in the League Cup during her debut campaign.
ADDED-TIME QUIZ
1
Which current Red scored our first-ever European goal, at home to PSG in October 2023?
2
Among the various Norwegian players to have represented United, who has made the most appearances for the club?
3
Which other two English clubs are taking part in the Champions League this season?
4
Fridolina Rolfo played in last season’s UWCL final, but which two ex-Reds also featured? (Hint: there was one on each side.)
5 Rolfo also previously played in the 2020 UWCL final for which German side?
6
In which year did Maya Le Tissier last miss a WSL game?
7
Prior to the meeting with Leicester earlier this month, who was the last current Red to net at LSV, doing so in a 2-0 win over Everton on 30 March?
8
Sticking with the Toffees, Jess Park spent the 2022/23 season on loan with Everton,
where she was a team-mate of which former United goalkeeper, also there on loan?
9
True or false: this season is the first in which United’s first competitive game of the campaign has been played in August.
10
Of all the countries represented by a player in a competitive United game, which is the newest addition to the list? (Hint: it occurred in our 2023/24 season opener.)
Arsenal and Chelsea;
Ona Batlle and Alessia Russo;
5. Wolfsburg; 6. 2020; 7. Dominique Janssen; 8. Emily Ramsey; 9. False
25/26 THIRD JERSEY
MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN
Head coach Marc Skinner
Kayla Rendell (GK)
Anna Sandberg
Gabby George
Maya Le Tissier
Hannah Blundell
Ella Toone
Jess Park
Melvine Malard
Elisabeth Terland
Leah Galton
Fridolina Rolfo
Simi Awujo
Jayde Riviere
Celin Bizet Donnum
Lisa Naalsund
Dominique Janssen
Julia Zigiotti Olme
Hinata Miyazawa
Millie Turner
Rachel Williams
Mared Griffiths
Safia Middleton-Patel (GK)
Tamira Livingston
Jessica Anderson
Sienna Wareing
Scarlett Hill
Phallon Tullis-Joyce (GK)
SK BRANN WOMEN
Head coach Leif Gunnar Smerud
Panengstuen (GK)
Cecilie Redisch Kvamme
Mia Authen
Maria Thorisdottir
Ingrid Stenevik
Cassandra Bogere
Heidi Ellingsen
Karoline Haugland
Amalie Eikeland
Signe Gaupset
Johanna Renmark
Brenna Lovera
Dilja Yr Zomers
Nora Lie Eghdami
Monica Isaksen
Josefine Birkelund
Sandra Stavenes (GK)
Lauren Davidson
Tomine Svendheim
Nea Lehtola
Emma Peuhkurinen
Joanna Tynnila
Maren Johnsen
Referee Marta Huerta de Aza (Spain) Assistants Guadalupe Porras Ayuso (Spain), Belinda Castilla Mesa (Spain) Fourth official Ainara Andrea Acevedo Dudley (Spain)