Manchester United Women v Manchester City Women match programme, WSL, 04.05.25
MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN
v Manchester City Women
BARCLAYS WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE • SUNDAY 4 MAY 2025 • 12PM
HEAD
MATCH
CAPTAIN’S COLUMN
DOMINIQUE JANSSEN INTERVIEW
FAN MESSAGES
NEW MUSEUM EXHIBITION
MUWSC INTERVIEW
MANCHESTER’S CORINTHIANS
MUW ACADEMY
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, Joe Ganley, Sean Mullan, Gary James, Jamie Spencer, Nathan Thomas, 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, Nicola Wellington
The Reds have competed in 27 fixtures since we were last in M16, with today’s derby encounter having the potential to be our most memorable day yet at the Theatre of Dreams
Marc
SKINNER
IN HIS FINAL COLUMN OF 2024/25, THE REDS BOSS REFLECTS ON AN EVENTFUL HOME CAMPAIGN -- ONE NEATLY BOOKENDED BY GAMES AT OLD TRAFFORD
It’s crazy to think we are already at the last home game of the season. It doesn’t feel that long ago when we were walking out at Old Trafford to play West Ham on the opening weekend.
A lot has happened since then and it is great to get to this stage of the season and still be competing near the top of the table. We have a third consecutive FA Cup final to come too, of course, but first we need to finish this league campaign on a high with two more massive fixtures following the Chelsea game in Leigh on Wednesday night: Manchester City today at Old Trafford, and then finally Arsenal away next Saturday at the Emirates.
I want to take a moment to celebrate the exceedingly high standards we have, not just as a team, but also as a fanbase. We push each other to want the best and the fact that we are all in this together is the most important thing.
We feel your support week in, week out. Whether we are home or away we hear you each week in your numbers. There have been
many times this season when we have walked out at an away match and felt like we were at home because of the noise of our travelling support. That feeling of togetherness is down to you and we appreciate the lengths of your support. We see the signs, we hear the chants and we feel the love throughout each and every game. For that I, and the rest of the team, are eternally grateful.
To start and finish our home campaign at Old Trafford is pretty special and we know a big crowd is expected for this latest derby day.
In these last few games, we need to come together once again as one big red army. In the moments it gets tight, we need you. We need to hear your voice and support, to help us push to the extra lengths we need.
Come on you Reds!
numbers Run the
A STAT-BASED PREVIEW OF TODAY’S DERBY CLASH
Let’s start with those all-important permutations: one is the number of points the Reds require today to guarantee a top-three finish – and crucially the Champions League spot that comes with it. The only team that can realistically deny us that are our latest opponents, who can settle for nothing less than a win today, then hope for another win on the final day (at home
to Palace). If City can pull off that six-point haul, we’ll need a win at Arsenal on the last day to beat City into the coveted UWCL spots. Arsenal’s surprise loss at Villa in midweek means they haven’t wrapped up a UWCL spot quite yet (well, at least through the WSL, as they could also qualify by winning this year’s UWCL final), but the Gunners are effectively there due to their superior goal difference. To put all this another way: the WSL’s final matchday could be excruciatingly tense for everyone of a Reds persuasion – or we can avoid defeat today against a side we’ve beaten twice already this term, and alleviate all the potential stress of next weekend. Yes, we prefer the second option too...
Away from the league standings, a win today would see United beat our crosstown rivals twice in a single WSL campaign for the first time, following January’s 4-2 win in the reverse fixture, when Ella Toone’s hat-trick and a tidy finish from Leah Galton were highlights of an assertively high-tempo display at the Etihad. A repeat outcome today certainly won’t be a straightforward
task – the fact we’ve never done a league double against City tells you that – but Marc Skinner’s Reds can take confidence on to the M16 turf from that winter victory, as well as last month’s FA Cup semi-final win. City did, however, get the better of us in the other of 2024/25’s three derbies to date, edging the League Cup quarter-final at LSV, while City’s last game, a 1-0 win at Leicester, saw key players Alex Greenwood and Lauren Hemp both return from knee injuries. City also haven’t lost away from home in the WSL since December, so are set to be tough opposition again, even if we have enjoyed the better of the contests so far in 2024/25.
Greenwood and Hemp are back from injury
Chelsea will finish top, but what about second and third?
200
Significance is a given whenever and wherever United and City meet, but there’s an extra meaning to today’s clash as it’s our women’s team’s 200th competitive match since the Reds were reformed in 2018. From that very first outing away to Liverpool on a launch pad of an August afternoon seven years ago, to today’s Old Trafford blockbuster with another of our club’s historic rivals, it’s been a proud journey to the double-century mark which, to pick out some of the standout numbers, has featured 489 United goals, 130 wins, 74 players and 28 different opposing teams. Coincidentally, we’ll have come up against no side more often across our first 200 games than today’s visitors,
who we’re all set to face for the 19th time, making them our joint-most frequent adversaries alongside Everton. And if one nice round number isn’t enough for you, here’s another: this is our 100th home fixture, and the eighth of which we’ve hosted at Old Trafford (alongside 91 at LSV and one at Ewen Fields).
Not only is this our 200th competitive fixture since the Reds were reformed, but it’s our 100th on home soil...
And come 2pm today, another home campaign will be over, as our 16th home game of the season concludes, appropriately enough, in M16. It was here when it all began, of course, as Marc Skinner’s side kicked off 2024/25 with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over West Ham. Nearly eight enthralling months have followed that September starter and, while we’ve still got the small
matter of trips to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium and Wembley to look forward to over the next two weekends, today’s derby will mark the end of another captivating campaign playing in front of your invaluable home support. Marc Skinner and his Reds will be aiming to show their appreciation ahead of those big trips to London by putting in a strong home showing to get the result we need today – a sixth win in eight games at Old Trafford would do very nicely! Let’s go, Reds...
The weather forecast looks good for today, so here’s to more fun in the sun, just like our season opener
CHECK OUT OUR COVER STARS!
May’s Inside United puts Reds in the spotlight with unique collector’s edition
The latest edition of official club magazine Inside United is out now, and as you can see above it’s spearheaded by United Women!
Fifteen Reds appear on a special extended front cover, while inside the issue there is a big feature on the team’s season so far and exciting finale to come, with Ella Toone and Grace Clinton
among those to speak exclusively to IU. There is also an in-depth interview with Celin Bizet, with the Norwegian attacker telling IU how much she’s loving life at her new club since her move to Manchester last summer. Away from the women’s team in the 100-page publication, men’s team players Ayden Heaven and
Joshua Zirkzee are among those to feature. The history pages focus on the vintage year that was 1999, as well as the changing face and footprint of Old Trafford. You’ll find IU available at the programme booths today, but if you’re reading this post-match, you’ll also find it in the shops or at reachsportshop.com.
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Seeing as today is our final home fixture of the season, it’ll be at least four months until the MUW match programme returns, so here’s a rundown of some key dates in the weeks ahead:
UEFA Women’s Euro 2025
The Euros will kick off in just over eight weeks’ time in Switzerland. Spain are the slight favourites to lift the trophy, ahead of reigning champions England. Fourteen
other nations will be also be involved, and there’s sure to be United representation – especially in Group D, where the Lionesses are joined by Netherlands, France and Wales. BBC and ITV are all over the live coverage, so that’s our evenings covered for all but seven days between 2-27 July.
2025/26 WSL
Next season’s top flight will begin two weeks earlier
than the current one, on 6 Sep running until 16/17 May, with the winter break set for 22 Dec until 10/11 Jan. We’ll know today what the make-up of the top division will look like. With Crystal Palace relegated, replacing them will be either Birmingham or London City Lionesses, who face each other at 2.15pm in the second-tier’s final day. The Londoners only need a draw, but if they lose at St Andrew’s, their opponents go up instead.
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UNITED TO DELIVER EXCELLENCE
Captain’s column
MLT
MAYA SHARES HER EXCITEMENT FOR THE MONTH OF MAY, FROM M16 ALL THE WAY TO WEMBLEY...
Welcome to Old Trafford! Due to the tight schedule of fixtures I’m having to put this column together a week early, so at the time of writing I don’t know exactly what will be at stake for this latest Manchester derby. But whatever the WSL table looks like heading into the match, our mindset will be the exactly the same: we play to win.
As well as being a derby, it’s our final home game of the season, and we’re at Old Trafford, so regardless of the league standings this was always going to be an important game for us, and it’s one we’ve been looking forward to since it was announced at the start of the season.
It’s only been a few weeks since we last faced City, of course, and we were all really happy with our performance in the FA Cup, as we were when we beat them at the Etihad in January. They’ve won the last two derbies when we’ve been the home side, though, so we’re determined to end that run today!
May is looking like an exciting month, and we can’t wait to get it started in front of our biggest home crowd of the season.
With this being my final column of 2024/25, I just want to add a massive thank you to all you fans. You’ve supported us not just at home, but also travelled the country with us. Your support gives us that extra push when we need it and it’s always amazing to see you out in your numbers, as I’m sure you’ll be at Wembley in a couple of weeks’ time!
Another strong defensive display helped us win derby date no.18 – and now for meeting no.19 with the Blues...
#17 Dominique Janssen
OUR
DUTCH ENFORCER MADE
TRAFFORD
FACTFILE
DATE OF BIRTH
17 January 1995
POSITION Defender/midfielder
PLACE OF BIRTH
Horst aan de Maas, Netherlands
YOUTH CAREER RKsv Wittenhorst
SENIOR CAREER (league only)
2013-15 SGS Essen, 42 games, 3 goals
2015-19 Arsenal, 66 games, 11 goals
2019-24 Wolfsburg, 98 games, 20 goals
2024- Manchester United, 24 games, 2 goal (up to 29/04/25)
Dom, today’s game is at Old Trafford and you were one of several Reds players to make their debut at the stadium back in September. What are your memories of that day?
It was really nice, to be able to play at such a big stadium and also a very historical one. Standing on the pitch, having such a big stadium around and all the support around, it’s something special, so I’m really looking forward to playing again there. I wish we could play more games there, but I like Leigh Sports Village as well so it’s exciting now that we can play the derby against City in the big stadium.
You mentioned LSV, where we play the majority of our home games. What have you made of it as a venue, as someone who has come to United this season? It seems to be popular among our players, due to the atmosphere it can create... I think the stadium size is perfect for us in women’s football with the fans – if it’s filled up, it gives such a nice atmosphere. The fans are pretty loud which makes it really cool and they are close to the pitch. So, I hope they feel connected to us because we are playing right in front of them. Sometimes it’s nice to play in a smaller stadium which is full. I find the drive there really relaxing, like 20 or 25 minutes in the car, but I remember when we played Arsenal how busy it was on the roads, just knowing how many people were coming to the game.
We’re expecting a big crowd at Old Trafford, where you were able to make a winning start to your United career against West Ham. We had a strong start to the season, but do you feel like the team has really improved since then –and, if so, in which areas would you say most?
I always say that in the beginning of a season you have to get used to each other. There may be some new players like myself and then it changes because some people also leave. I think we started the season well, we were effective in the chances →
we had but I don’t think we were really, really clear on our playing style. We all had to get used to it together. We have had loads of meetings about how we could get better and eventually we found a way how we wanted to press, how we wanted to do things, and it was so clear in training. We knew... ‘okay, if this is the opponent, we know how we’re going to play.’ It’s been nice that we know who we are and how we’re going to play so no matter what the opponent does, we know what we have to do. That’s the biggest thing we’ve improved on, that we know how to press. I think teams that play against us don’t like to play against us because we press hard and it has been successful. But I also know we have other things to improve on. We want to become champions one day and it’s a journey but it’s an exciting journey.
You speak about the pressing efforts there and it’s very much a way of defending from the front in the modern game. Would you say that’s been a big factor towards our incredible defensive record?
One hundred per cent. Phallon [Tullis-Joyce] is having an amazing season, our backline is having an amazing season but also we know that the press starts, for example, with Teri [Elisabeth Terland]. She’s always going hard and is backed up by the players behind. Everyone just knows what to do, so it’s such a team effort that we’ve conceded so few goals. It’s nice that you can think: ‘If we’re going to get a clean sheet, all you need to do is score one goal.’ Even if we’re not having the best game, we know 1-0 is enough. So, I really enjoy that you said about pressing starts from the front – every one has their part in it. And one game that was a real team effort in that sense recently was the FA Cup semi-final victory.
Our meetings with City have been a bit strange this season because the away team has won all three so far – should we read anything into that? No! I think we’re in a good spot right now. I don’t think City is in the best spot seeing how many injuries they have, which is sad to see. On the other hand, for us, our players are playing and that’s been a massive advantage for us. Our staff have been incredible in managing players and seeing that everyone is on the pitch. Even the girls that have had the bigger injuries have been back on to the training pitch, so it’s a major positive for us. We’re so close to Champions League qualification and that’s the goal besides the FA Cup final. We should be excited that we can play in such big stadiums in front of such big crowds, and I
think everyone is positive with that in mind. But this game is a derby – you cannot underestimate a derby – and we don’t want to lose in Old Trafford.
As well as the semi-final we won at the Etihad back in January too, on your 30th birthday weekend, when you had many family and friends over. Who will be coming to Old Trafford this time around – and being 30 now, do you feel any different? Thirty is the new 25 in football, right?! I feel really good! But looking back, that weekend in January was a really special one. Almost everyone I invited came over for the game and to be able to win it, to then celebrate with all my friends and family, was very special. This time, I also have some friends and family coming over, and hopefully we can celebrate another win together. And then being 30... I think if you’re 30, it’s supposed to be the best football year, so I feel like there’s still so much in front of me and that I haven’t shown the best Dominique yet. I’m on a mission here, I want to be successful with this club and still improve myself. I still have some way in front of me, being 30 doesn’t mean anything at the end – I just want to get better and be successful!
Well said. I think the fans have really appreciated your efforts – so much so that they’ve made a chant up for you. Have you heard it? The girls have told me the fans have a chant about
Out on the town with Melvine to help promote today’s big game
“It’s nice when the fans put that effort into a chant. It shows they appreciate you... it’s a good feeling”
me! Apparently, it’s something about helping United reach the Champions League? [‘We’ve got Dominique, she’s fortifying LSV, she’ll take us to the Champions League, that’s where we belong’]. I remember one time I was warming up during a game, and the fans were saying something that made me giggle. They are incredible, and it’s nice when they put that effort into the chants. They make a song for you which shows they appreciate you. It’s a really good feeling.
Our opponents City have some players that will be particularly familiar to you through your Dutch connections, in Jill Roord and Kerstin Casparij. What can you tell us about those two? Yeah, I’ve hung out with Kerstin a couple of times, Jill a little less but on the national team we get along very well. They are very good players, they bring their value to the team for City. Seeing Kerstin on the scoresheet a couple of times, I think that’s positive for her because she’s still pretty young and has a huge
future ahead. Jill’s been an important player for City as well and also the national team with her creativity.
We know you were in Manchester recently helping to promote this game as part of the #TakeASeat campaign – how much did you enjoy that experience and did you get recognised much? It’s nice that we made such a good campaign, talking about these red chairs being in coffee shops, for example, and people just recognising the chairs. In terms of getting recognised, it’s funny, sometimes just generally if I walk through the city, some fans do recognise you and talk to you and that’s really nice that they just say ‘hi’ and make you feel welcome.
And looking ahead, an exciting end to the season continues with a trip to the Emirates – your old home – to face Arsenal and then Wembley for the FA Cup final. Tell us about your best memories of those arenas, as either a player or a spectator…
Janssen felt the love from the fans and family in January’s reverse fixture
Dominique has very high praise for our keeper between the sticks
Arriving at City’s Joie Stadium ahead of the most recent derby, in the Women’s FA Cup semi-finals
This is funny because around this time two years ago I played in the Champions League semi-finals with Wolfsburg at the Emirates, and we won it in the last few minutes. It was an insane feeling and also with the final being played in the Netherlands, my home country, it was a very special game for me. So, just having that memory of the Emirates was insane. That must be one of the best memories for me at the Emirates and then Wembley, I’ve played there a few times as well – two FA Cup finals there; won one. The one where we [Arsenal] won [in 2015/16] is a day I’ll always remember, with my family, including my brother, there. That was a very special moment.
We spoke to Simi Awujo recently and she was full of praise for you. What have you made of Simi’s development as a fellow midfielder this season? She’s come straight out of the college game to go professional at United, which is a big step up… Yeah, you can’t underestimate how big of a difference it is going from college football to the professional game, but she blended in so well from the start. I also think her physique is incredible, seeing how fast she is, how strong she is. If I play against her in training and go in a duel with her – I think I’m pretty strong – but wow! It’s also nice to see her work hard and I don’t think it’s been the easiest road for her so far this season. In the beginning, she played more than what she’s playing right now, but if you’re young and coming into the professional leagues, you have to be patient and work hard, and I think she is. Simi has a bright future ahead, and she needs to be patient and keep working hard. She’s a really good human being too, super funny and just really nice to have around.
There’s so much talent in our midfield, with players with different skills, and much competition for places. How have you found that competition, particularly as you’ve often played as a defender in recent seasons? Every time I go to training, I want to show what I’m capable of. I also want to have that leadership role and be a good example, even if I’m not starting. I know there are days where that will happen but it’s part of the job and it’s just really nice to see we have such different qualities in the midfield. Lisa [Naalsund] keeps running, I’ve never seen anyone that can run so much. Simi’s so strong but then we have technical players like Hini [Miyazawa], Grace [Clinton] and Tooney [Ella Toone]. That’s very exciting and I think for Marc [Skinner], he has had some headaches because he’s had some difficult decisions
“I want to have that leadership role and be a good example, even if I’m not starting”
to make but I think that’s what we want for our culture. We all want to become better players because it helps the team. It’s been a challenge for me also. I really enjoy playing in midfield. I was not expecting to play there here but after having a good pre-season, Marc was like: ‘I see something there [with you playing in midfield].’ So, it’s been nice for me to come here and be able to progress my own game and learn different situations. In midfield, you need to be aware of everything around you whereas, as a centre-back, you know that you can’t let the striker score a goal, that every build-up play is right. So, it’s been very exciting. There’s a lot of components that’s been added to the game and I think we have a very exciting team because we are the best when we work together as a team and not as individuals. I think that’s what we’ve done, and it’s given us a lot of success so far.
Simi was another to make her United debut in M16 last September, and Dominique has been impressed by the Canadian international’s strength and ability
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.
Trixie is a season ticket holder who turned five on 2 May. She loves Millie T!
Welcome back to Old Trafford to Ellie Doxey, pictured in the stands with the skipper.
Janine Wild (left) is here for her 50th birthday, along with her mum and daughter. All the best!
Happy 9th birthday Sienna, who is a big Tooney fan! Love Mum, Dad and Romayah.
‘Happy 5th birthday to our football crazy boy, Oliver – we hope you have the best day at Old Trafford.’
Hello Calum (a Red, who turned nine yesterday), Poppy (a Blue) and Lyla (a Red) – three cousins at the game together!
Phoebe and Daisy Oliver are here – it’s a surprise for Phoebe’s 12th birthday!
Happy 59th birthday to Diane, who is here with her daughters Amy and Jess.
Hello Amelia and Robyn – and good luck with your GCSEs in the weeks ahead!
This is Abbie Fazackerley’s last home game before her 18th birthday. Enjoy the day!
MESSAGES: Happy birthday, Julie Filer! Love Ketan ● Happy birthday to Jenny (3 May), Catherine (8 May) and Louise (21 May) ● Happy birthday to Lisa Cannon ● Happy 40th to James Marsh ● Holly Jane has a 13th birthday to celebrate –have a top day! ● Happy birthday Steve – from Evie, Angela and Margaret ● Happy 11th birthday, Lily. Enjoy Old Trafford! Love Mum and Dad ● Happy 15th birthday Callie Greenfield, with love from Mum and Dad ● Happy birthday for today to Alana Thompson ● Daisy Roberts has travelled from Plymouth to celebrate her 18th birthday! ● Welcome to Old Trafford for the first time, Georgie Gilbert Farnan, whose hero is Ella Toone! ● Happy birthday, David – love Mum, Dad, Sarah, Ophelia and Simba! ● Georgia Veitch-Maines turns 18 on 8 May – have an amazing day, love Mum, Grandma and Grandpa.
RECORDING THE RISE OF THE REDS...
NEW EXHIBITION BRINGS UNITED WOMEN’S REMARKABLE FIVE-DECADE JOURNEY TO LIFE -- CHECK IT OUT NOW AT THE OLD TRAFFORD MUSEUM!
The history of United Ladies’ amateur team has been covered in these pages on a few occasions over the years – most recently in April 2024 when we told of the story of how supporters’ club secretary Anne Smith (above, white top) first set the team up in 1977, while one amateur Red from that era, Georgina Williams, shared her memories (plus her United scrapbook!) with us.
The dedicated curators at the Manchester United museum here at Old Trafford have played a key role in re-establishing contact with such former Reds, and with the museum staff continuing to track down players from our past they’ve been able to accrue many more anecdotes and artefacts in order to create a brilliant new exhibition –one which charts the complete journey of our female Reds, from amateur trailblazers competing in muddy parks, to modern-day stars of the professional era.
being the year the team was formed, but it would be fair to say the success the team is having now is partly based on the enthusiasm from those in decades gone by to get women’s football off the ground at United.” Aidan describes these amateur years as a “hidden history”, meaning that – much like the story of Manchester’s Corinthians on p26, which goes even further back in time! – there are so many stories out there which have rarely been shared. “The inspiration to do this has been two-fold in that we started getting in touch with more players from our amateur team,” continues Aidan. “A good amount of time and research went into the foundations of that, as we learned about their successes in the decades after the team was formed, so it felt like a nice opportunity to tell their stories. It’s been so great to speak to these players and to hear their memories.”
Aidan Targett-Ness is one of the club’s curators behind the exhibition. “As every season passes it seems this team is becoming a more important part of the United story overall so it feels like the right time to give the women’s team their own space,” Aidan (left) tells us. “It’s easy to look at 2018 as
A centrepiece of the exhibition is some distinctive wall art, an example of which is pictured above. Created by illustrator Cat Sims, it uses fictionalised characters – but all based on historical fact – to chart the rise of the Reds from 1977 until the present day. Alongside this artwork will sit the exhibits, from trophies to kits, to other memorabilia.
The club museum is situated within the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand – see ManUtd.com/museum
SUNDAY 15 JUNE, OLD TRAFFORD
SOCCER AID
Interview: Joe Ganley
“We try and do our thing for the entire fanbase...”
AS ANOTHER HOME CAMPAIGN DRAWS TO A CLOSE TODAY, WE CHAT TO DEBORAH HENRY , UNITED WOMEN FANS’ FORUM REP AND CHAIR OF OUR SUPPORTERS’ CLUB, ABOUT AMBITIONS ON AND OFF THE PITCH...
We’re a few weeks from the end of 2024/25 – what’s your assessment of it on the pitch?
I was anticipating a transitional season. We’d lost a lot of experienced players, and whether you think they were the best people in their position or not, you don’t know what’s going to fill that void. A lot of younger players had come in: were they going to be able to step up? I’d said to other fans that it could be a difficult, long season.
So where has it gone right?
I think there’s a couple of factors. One is that other teams have fallen: Liverpool, who beat us to fourth last season, did not invest over the summer, and nobody talks about that. City have had a lot of injuries and other teams haven’t pushed on as we thought they would do. But something has clicked. One of the standout features has been the defence – the best in the league. When you consider we’d lost supposedly the best goalkeeper in the world, you’ve actually now got a more stable defence. The defenders are pretty much the same. But there’s an assuredness.
Who has impressed you most?
Janssen. Celin Bizet has been an incredible signing. Elisabeth Terland has her moments. This time of the year we think about doing our Player of the Season poll, and there are loads of candidates. Phallon could win it, Maya’s been brilliant, Jayde’s been outstanding, Miyazawa, Bizet... and then you’re ignoring others that have had good, solid seasons.
And what about the coach?
He deserved his new contract, and he deserves another season in Europe –if we can get there. We are on a lower budget than the traditional big three, so what he’s achieving is brilliant.
Hinata Miyazawa has been a revelation this year. She’s absolutely settled into that midfield position and made herself undroppable. Dominique
What have been your high points of the campaign?
We hope they are still to come! But so far, the game at the Etihad. It was the first time we’ve won there; likewise the Academy Stadium, where we won in the FA Cup.
And how has this season gone for the United Women supporters’ club?
Our big milestone was hitting 1,000 members earlier in the season. Numbers have continued to grow steadily. For us, the challenge is that when we work with the club we often work for the entire fanbase’s advantage. We’re not just doing it for our members. So what’s important for us is we can give
“Our big milestone was hitting 1,000 members, and numbers have continued to grow”
the members something back, whether that’s access to a priority system for the Cup final, in terms of tickets in the atmosphere section, or events. We had a Q&A with [interim head of women’s football] Matt Johnson earlier in the season [right], we’ve had meet-and-greets after home games, some of our younger members went to a Q&A with Maya. We try and do our thing for the entire fanbase, not just our members, but we hope our members get enough out of it as well.
continues and we do get more people buying and renewing season tickets for next season. We just want to get that atmosphere up.
How confident are you feeling about the FA Cup? We came close against Chelsea two years ago and I think we’re better now. I’m not saying they’re not, but we’ve got players who are familiar with the final. We just need something to go our way on the day. If you want to win these trophies, you’ve got to beat these teams. We did it last year, why not this year?
Are you satisfied with the atmosphere at games?
I’d always say ‘more noise’ because I think that’s a bigger advantage. If we can just get as many home fans in... we saw in the semi-final last year that we can make Leigh an intimidating place to go to. Attendances are down across the league, but we’ve had pretty solid numbers and hopefully that
And what about the summer – where can we improve?
The first thing is not losing good players. There will be some who go, but hopefully not regular starters. In terms of strengthening, a lot is going to depend on Champions League qualification, because we become a much more attractive proposition. Do we need to look at replacing Geyse, if she doesn’t come back? At full-back, we don’t know if Hannah will come back next season. There’s the Euros too, so new players will come into people’s awareness. Few knew about Miyazawa before she won the Golden Boot. Maybe there’s someone who shines at the Euros? It might mean deals get done later, too.
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2024/25 POSTER ELISABETH TERLAND
CELEBRATING THE CORINTHIANS
LONG BEFORE UNITED AND CITY HAD EVEN ESTABLISHED THEIR RESPECTIVE AMATEUR LADIES’ SIDES, A GROUP OF MANCUNIAN WOMEN FORMED A NEW TEAM, WITH THERE BEING MANY MANCHESTER UNITED LINKS TO THE PIONEERING GROUP OF FEMALE FOOTBALLERS. HERE IS THEIR INSPIRATIONAL STORY...
CORINTHIANS
“I never imagined there were women playing football,” says Margaret Shepherd in an interview for a new book entitled Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History. “I just thought I was a one-off. I played with the lads and that was it.”
Margaret, a lifelong United fan, continues: “I loved football. I was about 15 when I went with my brother to United. Queued up. Went in the Stretford End. That was it, hooked! My hero was Denis Law. I got a 21st birthday card from George Best and I’d go down to The Cliff to watch United train.”
As much as she loved watching Matt Busby’s Reds, what Margaret enjoyed the most was to kick a ball herself – whenever and wherever she could. One day around 1967 she was playing netball and fate opened a whole new world for her. “The ball went on the ground, and I automatically kicked it,” she recalls. “This other girl, Sheila Isherwood, kicked it back... she said she played for a women’s football team. I said, ‘come off it!’ as I’d never heard of any team. She said that she played for the Corinthians and asked if I wanted to come. And that was it.”
Margaret was impressed with the quality of her new footballing team-mates. “I think if you took the best team from the Corinthians and played them today against City or United’s women’s team, they’d hold their own,” she insists. “We all worked every day, trained twice a week and the team was still brilliant. We’d train on Fog Lane Park [in Didsbury] but in winter there’d be so much ice or mud that it was difficult. We had a little shed – no lights! – where we got changed. If you wanted a wash you’d break the ice on the duck pond. You’d go home muddy sometimes. We did it for the love of football.”
Margaret is one of over 50 Corinthian players who have been interviewed as part of a decade-long project documenting the history of women’s football in Manchester. The project led to a blue plaque (left) being unveiled and the production of the new book telling the history of the team, from formation through to its final days over 40 years later. Many of those interviewed were in their eighties and nineties.
Margaret Shepherd and Margaret Whitworth with the team’s blue plaque
Several prominent men at the two Manchester clubs became involved with the Corinthians, including United captain Johnny Carey (front row, below), as well as Matt Busby, Bert Trautmann and Dave Ewing
THE BEGINNINGS...
Manchester Corinthians existed from 1948/1949 until 1992, and from its earliest days there were connections with United. Legendary 1940s United captain Johnny Carey helped promote the club in its early days, attending various functions. Decades later in the late ’70s, the Corinthians even played the original Manchester United Ladies amateur team, as set up by supporters’ club secretary Anne Smith. In the 1950s the Corinthians participated in major tours to Portugal, Holland and Germany. In 1957, on their second Germany trip, they even represented England, winning the International Ladies FA’s European Cup in a final against Germany in Berlin. National newspaper The Daily Herald ended its match report with high praise: ‘And the general impression among the Germans was that the Manchester Corinthians were even a little better than Manchester United in technique.’
United fans Veronica Bailey and Maureen Charlton were two of the stars as they won the trophy in Germany. Maureen is now 90 but her passion for football remains strong. Having a name like Charlton meant some assumed there was a family connection. “Boys used to knock on my mother’s door – I think they thought the football kit belonged to Bobby!” she says. “They’d ask, ‘can we
have Bobby’s autograph?’ Mum used to say, ‘sod off!’. When I was playing on the streets, we’d often play games in the early evenings while the light was still good. I played half-back. No.4. I loved Duncan Edwards. A wonderful footballer. I knew quite a few of the players who were in the Munich air crash.”
Gill Holland, who joined the Corinthians in the late ’50s, was born in the Midlands but became a big United fan when the family moved to Manchester, and she remains a season ticket holder. “I fell in love with football at Crowcroft School,” she says. “The park was next door and that’s where we headed at break and lunchtime. We went back in the evening too. The lads weren’t worried about a girl playing.”
Gill was part of the Corinthians squad that went on a three-month long tour to South America in 1960. She was only 14 and the experiences she gained were remarkable. The players were treated like stars and games were watched by huge crowds
Margaret Shepherd in action for the Corinthians, on a typically muddy pitch!
Maureen Charlton with Gary James – the respected football historian who led the research
BUSBY’S GRANDDAUGHTER
DONNA JOINED IN 1979 –– HER
FAMILY DONATED SOME KIT
in Venezuela, Columbia and the West Indies. They were often mobbed by fans, especially when the club won an international tournament in Caracas. “We got a good reception off everybody,” Gill recalls. “People used to ask us for autographs. We did so many flights. My parents had worried about me flying – they’d never flown. I’d never flown and of course there had been the Munich air crash only two years earlier. The week before the crash my mum took me to [department store] Lewis’s to get their autographs. All the players were there. Tommy Taylor was wonderful. I remember thinking we were like those players. They’d get the bus, like us, to go to training with boots over their shoulders... ordinary people who just happened to be playing football.”
BELATED RECOGNITION AT WEMBLEY
Other tours across Europe and North Africa followed in the 1960s, while during that decade male players from both United and City would attend Corinthians’ games or help in some way. United World Cup winner Nobby Stiles once kicked off a game while the Corinthians trained at The Cliff occasionally. Jan Lyons, who went on to play for Juventus in 1973, remembers playing at United’s legendary training ground: “We were invited to The Cliff. Everybody wanted to go, and it was great. I’m a City fan but even so it was good being at United.”
Jan, along with Margaret Shepherd, were key players when the Corinthians beat Juventus in a prominent tournament in France during 1970. At that time there was a national league in Italy, while in England the Corinthians were contributing to the establishment of governing bodies and competitions. Corinthians played their part in the creation of the Women’s FA, the Women’s FA Cup and other competitions during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Their manager Gladys Aikin was the first Chair of the England International Committee. Under her watch England played Scotland in their first official international game, in 1972.
Corinthian Jean Wilson played in that historic game, and in October 2022 she and the rest of the 1972 England squad were special guests at Wembley. “We were all invited to England v USA, and I think 12 of the original 15 players were able to go,” she recalls. “We were awarded a special numbered cap – I was no.11. My niece’s second oldest Mylee Dunbar is a footballer. She’s been with United about six or seven years. I never actually told her I’d played football when she was little but once she started playing, I explained about it and showed her my collection. When I went to Wembley to get my cap, she came with me, meeting the Lionesses.”
Gail Robertson was born in Scotland. “I always wanted to play, and my dream was to play for Scotland,” she says. “When I was out playing on the streets a man pointed at me and said: ‘That wee laddie, one day he’s going to play for Scotland.’ My dad told me that I turned around and said: ‘I’m not a wee laddie, I’m a wee lassie!’ That would be about 1966.” When the family moved to England Gail joined the Corinthians and adopted United as her team.
Such Corinthian-United connections have always existed. Another United-supporting Corinthian, Sue Short, remembers: “Donna Gibson, Matt Busby’s granddaughter, played for the Corinthians. Newspapers came down to see us play.” Donna’s arrival came in November 1979. “Donna’s family donated some kit to help us,” remembers Wendy Crossland. “She was dead down-to-earth and just wanted to play football. She came out with us too. It was great having her as part of our team.”
Wendy continues: “I used to go to Old Trafford and dream that at half time they’d put out an
Team captain Wendy Crossland with the ball, while coaches George Aikin and Bert Woollam stand alongside the team
“WE’RE UNITED SEASON TICKET HOLDERS NOW –– I SIT WISHING I WAS THAT AGE AGAIN...”
announcement: ‘Wendy Crossland. Can you come to the pitch to play the second half?’ The night before every Corinthians game I always had a dream about scoring for either the Corinthians or for United.”
By the late 1970s United fans Wendy Crossland, Janice Smith, Estelle Scruton and Sue Short were regulars in the team. Janice says: “We were always trying to get women’s football on the map. It was hard but we wanted everyone to know about it. We were a good team and quite competitive, but not just as a team. We were competitive with each other too.”
Sue Short cherishes those days just as much: “There were footballers who didn’t get recognition for how good they were. It’s quite nostalgic when Estelle and I watch United Women. We’re season ticket holders, and I sit there wishing I was that age again.”
The Corinthians’ last trophy success came in 1989 but soon after that the club lost quite a few players, calling it a day in 1992. Sue Short, who had joined in the 1960s, recognises this was a difficult time. “It was sad,” she says. “Remembering what we’d been before and how good we’d been. It wasn’t anybody’s fault. If you lose so many players, it’s hard to keep going. I went to Manchester United
[amateur team] in the 1992/93 season. They were a good team and I was sat on the sidelines waiting for a game for about two years. Someone was injured and that’s when my chance came. We used to train at The Cliff, and it improved my game. I was a left-back, but I also played midfield. I’d have played for ever and I’m still envious when I see games today. I want to be out there. I’d love to play again.”
The decade-long project has managed to reconnect Corinthians – in some cases players who last met over 60 years earlier – and track down the names of around 400 women who played for the club. The blue plaque unveiling in 2023 was seen by over six million people on ITV News. “A lot of my friends from school saw it and have said ‘you must be so proud,” says Gill Holland. “I haven’t mentioned it to people but if they bring it up it’s nice. I’ve continued to watch United, and I live for football still. I’m thrilled about everything that’s happened.”
The Corinthians are truly inspirational, and the many stories shared in the fascinating new book provide incredible insight into how women’s football has developed over the last 80 years – from a time when it was banned, to the establishment of clubs like United and City’s original women’s teams, right up to the professionalism of the present day.
‘Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History’ can be ordered at: gjfootballarchive.com/ order-manchester-corinthians-book
Above: Gail Robertson, Jan Lyons, Margaret Shepherd, Margaret Whitworth, Gill Holland, Linda Hallam, Jean Wilson and Anne Grimes with former City player Paul Lake and author of the book (left) Gary James at the Northwest Football Awards awards
A squad photo while on their 1960 tour to South America
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TRIP OF A LIFETIME
Partner high-school pupils rewarded with an unforgettable trip to Cyprus
Those who follow the Reds will recognise the notion of a great Manchester United moment: a fusion of mental strength, spirit, unity and – crucially –magic. Throughout the club’s history, these moments are often reserved to on-pitch affairs, but the influence of United goes much further.
All these key ingredients were present when 12 young people from Manchester United Foundation’s partner schools, all of whom have shown significant resilience in their lives, were rewarded with the opportunity to embark on a residential trip to Limassol in Cyprus, funded by the Foundation with support from the Cyprus Supporters’ Club.
“United is my life, my passion,” said Charalambos Loizou, the Cyprus Supporters’ Club secretary. “I live in Cyprus now, but I was born in Whitefield, and all of us in the club felt passionately about offering an opportunity to the Foundation and youngsters from Manchester, to further connect with our club.”
In many cases, the youngsters were facing not only their first time on an aeroplane, but their first time out of Manchester, as they headed away on an action-packed five-day trip to a new country, which included a
rope adventure park experience, a padel session with professional players and a visit to a camel park!
“It’s been a truly unforgettable experience,” said the Foundation’s life skills manager Niccola Massey, who led the trip. “Every element of this week will be so impactful for the kids; it really will be life-changing.”
Libby and Kaydi, two of the participants on the trip, caught up with us at the airport as we prepared to return to Manchester, reflecting
enthusiastically on a very memorable few days.
“We’ve done so many different things this week, I’ve loved it all and I’m really happy that I was able to come – it means a lot to have been picked,” Kaydi said. “It’s been amazing from start to finish,” added Libby. “I’ll never forget it.”
A special trip with a group of special people, and memories to last a lifetime...
All set for a day at the camel park
The rope adventure park made for another great experience
Kaydi (red hat) says she will never forget the residential trip
Helping our young people tell their stories.
FOLLOW ALONG
SEASON REVIEW
ENGAGE ● INSPIRE ● UNITE
We celebrate a varied and successful 2024/25 for our younger teams, on and off the pitch...
UNDER-21s
Our U21s enjoyed a fruitful season and have once again been competing at the top of the division after last season’s title success. In a fresh format, Melissa Brown’s side finished top of the PGA Northern League to qualify for Division One of the two-tier national league which followed. There, we were pipped to the title by Arsenal, the side we triumphed over in last year’s play-off.
Many saw their development rewarded with senior experience of one sort or another – none more so than Mared Griffiths (right), who netted twice on her United debut and was named Player of the Match. After her brace in the FA Cup win at Wolves, Mared made her senior Wales debut, too, with team-mate Scarlett Hill also in the squad.
A number of others have also had time with senior set-ups. For a half-dozen of the group, this has meant regularly training with Marc Skinner’s squad, as part of a ‘first-team transition group’. One of those, Jess Anderson, was part of the matchday squad for
our 7-0 FA Cup win against West Brom. Lucy Newell penned her first professional contract at the club, then headed on loan to Blackburn Rovers to gain a different experience, while several players enjoyed ‘dual registration’. This means they benefit from senior training or playing time with other clubs, while still being able to train and play with United. Amelia Freeman, Ellie Adams and Millie Crook enjoyed time at Fylde Women, Holly Deering and Olivia Francis at Liverpool Feds, Sienna Limbert at Halifax Town and Kaycee Bolton-Woollam at Huddersfield Town. United’s staff also organised for Ruby Scott, Amelia Oldroyd, Lucy Crook and Anna Fletcher to train with other teams’ senior sides, at Stoke City, Burnley and Stockport County.
The girls – who also reached the FA WNL Plate semis and FA Youth Cup quarters – have balanced on-pitch progress with full-time education. Some took external BTEC exams, with
others undertaking mock A-Levels, before preparing for the real thing. Others have been completing university and even USA college applications. Within the club, informal education has taken place to teach the group how to cook nutritious, high-performance meals, write the best CVs and learn more about club history, such as the Munich Air Disaster. The squad were proud to represent the Girls’ Academy at February’s Old Trafford Munich memorial service.
Congratulations to our U21s squad – we know they’ll be looking forward to presentation evening. Check ManUtd.com or the United app later in May for details on the award winners.
UNDER-16s
Our U16s recently retained the Junior Premier League Peer-to-Peer Championship Cup, a tournament held twice during the season at Warwick University. Having lifted the trophy in autumn, the team showed consistent quality to triumph once again in spring, beating Birmingham City, Leicester City, London City, Bristol City and finally Liverpool along the way.
Elsewhere, the U16s have been competing against boys’ teams regularly in the league. “We’re trying to challenge the girls against various styles of play, making sure that they’re in a stretching and challenging environment,” says Amanda Goodwin, Women’s Academy Manager.
The U16s also reached the FA Youth Cup semis, while several players enjoyed opportunities to train up with the U21s.
Many of our U21s have progressed to senior football this season, including dual-registration loan moves
Today’s visitors:
MAN CITY
About our opponents...
Nickname: The Blues Founded: 1988 Ground: Joie Stadium (7,000 capacity)
This season: WSL, currently 4th place; FA Cup semi-finalists; League Cup finalists; Champions League quarter-finalists Top scorer (all competitions): Khadija Shaw (19, up to 26 April)
Major honours: WSL champions 2016; FA Cup winners 2017, 2019, 2020 League Cup winners 2014, 2016, 2019, 2022
Plenty has changed for Manchester City since they last faced United away from home, in January’s League Cup quarter-final at Leigh Sports Village which the Blues edged by a 2-1 scoreline.
After five years in charge, the club parted ways with Gareth Taylor in March, only five days before their League Cup final – a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea. Disappointing WSL form that had seen City win just four out of nine WSL games since they topped the table in November, and determination not to miss out on Champions League qualification, motivated the decision.
Taylor’s predecessor, Nick Cushing, was invited to reclaim his old job on an interim basis, with women’s director of football Therese Sjogran citing his “energy and more attacking football”. Cushing was immediately tasked with facing Chelsea four times across three competitions. Following on from the League Cup final loss, his
team inflicted Chelsea’s first defeat of the season in a UWCL quarter-final first leg. But after also going ahead against the Londoners in a WSL clash at the Etihad a few days later, they succumbed to a stoppage-time goal from Erin Cuthbert in a 2-1 loss. If that felt like a cruel blow, Chelsea added to the misery in Europe, overturning City’s 2-0 lead by winning the second leg 3-0 at Stamford Bridge. Fourth in the WSL and seeking to chase down the top three, Cushing’s next league game delivered another 2-1 result, this time in City’s favour. But their most recent outing at the time of writing (City faced Leicester away last weekend after these pages went to print) produced a frustrating 1-1 draw against Everton. Coming in the same month that their FA Cup hopes were
RECORD V THE REDS
Played: 18
City wins: 9
United wins: 5
Draws: 4
City goals: 31
United
24
SUBS USED: LAYZELL, WIENROITHER
ended with a semi-final derby defeat on home soil, it’s made for a challenging spell for all those at Joie Stadium. “We need to strip it back to basics and show more desire,” Cushing lamented after the 2-0 Cup loss to the Reds.
There can be no dispute that the caretaker boss has been dealt a tough hand, however. Injuries have ripped through the squad, to the point where three goalkeepers were on the bench against Everton in the WSL.
Since Chloe Kelly departed in January, top scorer Khadija Shaw and WSL legend Vivianne Miedema have both had hamstring issues. Mary Fowler then ruptured her ACL, and Jill Roord, Laura Blindkilde Brown and Aoba Fujino have also been sidelined. Alex Greenwood and Lauren Hemp recently returned to training after four and five months out respectively. To have the England pair back before the end of the season could yet prove to be a major boost, but it might come too late to save City’s campaign.
INTERIM BOSS
Nick Cushing was formerly in charge when City were relaunched as a professional side ahead of their WSL debut in 2014. That first spell yielded their sole title – in 2016 – and ultimately all but two of the club’s eight major honours to date. The 40-year-old is back in English football after four Stateside seasons with New York City FC, initially as an assistant, and then head coach.
NEW RECRUIT
Brazil international Kerolin was a statement signing during the winter transfer window, having reached the end of her contract with North Carolina Courage. The 25-year-old had been the US league’s MVP in 2023, but missed most of last year through injury. Her versatility has already been seen since joining City, with her lining up on either flank, as well as centrally.
EMERGING STAR
The recent injury crisis has thrust homegrown defender Gracie Prior into the spotlight. The 20-year-old made her full WSL debut at right-back in February’s 4-0 win over Liverpool – marking it with a goal – but she’s been a regular feature in the centre since then. Last season, Prior, who signed her first professional contract just nine months ago, was on loan with Burnley in the third tier.
OUAHABI PRIOR KNAAK
Left: The Blues have had moments to celebrate this season – including topping the WSL table in November – but a spate of injuries has taken its toll on the talented squad in recent months
FAST FACTS
SOME STATS ON UNITED AT THE THEATRE OF DREAMS!
MOST OT GAMES: ELLA TOONE, 7
MOST OT GOALS: KATIE ZELEM, 4
MOST OT ASSISTS: ELLA TOONE/ONA BATLLE, 3 FIRST GAME UNITED 2 WEST HAM 0 27.03.21 BIGGEST WIN UNITED 5 ASTON VILLA 0 03.12.22
CLUB & COUNTRY
CAN YOU MATCH THESE PAIRS OF REDS, PAST OR PRESENT, TO THE FLAGS OF THEIR NATIONAL TEAMS? WE’VE DONE ONE FOR STARTERS! (ANSWERS OPPOSITE)
IT’S OUR FINAL WSL GAME OF THE SEASON TODAY, SO CAN YOU FIND ALL 11 CLUBS UNITED HAVE FACED IN THE LEAGUE DURING 2024/25?
Stats AT THE BACK
LEAGUE TABLE, 2024/25
UNITED APPEARANCES & GOALS, 2024/25
A CLOSER LOOK...
Recent weeks have seen two Reds reach the ‘50 appearances club’, in Aoife Mannion and Melvine Malard.
But who is next in line to hit a half-century, and join the 22 players to have already achieved this? Jayde Riviere is best placed, with the Canadian on 44 games after our midweek game, while Hinata Miyazawa isn’t too far behind: she’s on 42, 25 of which have come in an impressive second term for our midfield metronome.
WSL TOP ASSISTS, 2024/25
WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE preview
Words: Mikey Partington
JUST TWO GAMES REMAIN FOR EACH OF THE DOZEN TOP-FLIGHT TEAMS...
Away from Old Trafford, five other matches are taking place on the penultimate weekend of the 2024/25 Women’s Super League season.
That includes two additional derbies alongside United v City in M16 – one on Merseyside and one in the capital. The former gets under way at the same time as our game this afternoon (12pm), and sees Liverpool host Everton in St Helens.
The visitors have enjoyed an upturn in league form since winning November’s reverse fixture 1-0 at Goodison Park (their first WSL victory of the season at the eighth attempt), but their crosstown rivals also look to be a team on the up under interim boss Amber Whiteley, who has impressed in her audition to be named Matt Beard’s permanent successor since February.
Crystal Palace are another side who have had a change in the dugout this year and, now under Norwegian Leif Smerud’s tutelage, will look to complete a league double over Leicester when they host the Foxes at 2pm, despite the fact that Palace’s relegation has already been confirmed.
Leicester will, however, feel much better about themselves going into this one than they did ahead of that early-season encounter. Amandine
How Leicester would love to claim a first WSL away win at the final attempt
Miquel’s troops have overcome a bout of injuries to lift themselves to safety, and with their WSL status now confirmed, how they’d love to claim a first WSL away win of 2024/25, at the final attempt.
One club who are not short on away successes in 2024/25 are Chelsea, who go to London rivals Tottenham in the day’s third derby, at 2.15pm.
Sonia Bompastor’s champions have been near-perfect wherever they’ve played in 2024/25, although Spurs will hope that the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium won’t prove a happy hunting ground, as they bid to sign off in front of their home fans with a statement victory.
In the east of the capital, West Ham also won’t wish to give too warm a welcome to Aston Villa when they go toe-to-toe in Dagenham at 3pm.
The Hammers held United to a 0-0 draw there last month, as part of a run of five without defeat at home in the WSL, but Villa aren’t likely to be too fazed by that record having taken maximum points from their last two away days – at Spurs and Liverpool – to ease their relegation fears.
The bank holiday weekend’s schedule is then set to be completed on Monday when our opponents on next weekend’s final day, fellow top-three high-flyers and UWCL finalists Arsenal, visit Brighton. Renee Slegers’s Gunners have already claimed 4-0 and 5-0 wins over the Seagulls in 2024/25, but the 4pm kick-off is an chance for the south-coast hosts to maintain their ambitions of a first top-half finish since 2021.
The Gunners v the Seagulls tomorrow afternoon is another important fixture this weekend
FIXTURES + RESULTS
ADDED-TIME QUIZ
Ten posers on the final league fixtures of previous seasons...
The 2018/19 Championship campaign ended with a 5-0 win at home to Lewes, but how many of United’s 20 league games that season ended in victory?
Aside from Millie Turner, Leah Galton and Ella Toone, two other players started both that Lewes game and our first WSL game of 2019/20. Name them.
Who were our final opponents (for a league game) before the 2019/20 season was cut short?
And which player, still with the club now, got their first WSL goal in that February 2020 fixture?
2. 1. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 9. 10.
Our win at Liverpool in the final WSL game of 2022/23 helped United clinch a club-record tally of how many WSL points: 50, 53 or 56? 8.
Which club were originally scheduled as our final WSL opponents of that 2019/20 season: Aston Villa or Birmingham City?
Casey Stoney took charge of her final WSL game as Reds boss in May 2021, v Everton, but which Scotland international wrapped up our goals that day?
Ten of the 11 Reds who started against Chelsea on the final day of the 2021/22 WSL season were with us for the following campaign – which midfielder wasn’t?
And who found the net with the only goal that day, having also scored a stoppage-time winner v Man City the previous weekend?
True or false: last season’s meeting with Chelsea was the first time United have ended a WSL campaign at Old Trafford.
