INSide
YOUR MATCH PROGRAMME
04 16 21 30
HEAD COACH’S COLUMN
TALK OF THE TERRACE
UWCL PREVIEW
CAPTAIN’S COLUMN
ELLA TOONE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
MUSEUM ITEMS
PLAYED FOR BOTH TEAMS FEATURE
MUW ACADEMY ROUND-UP
TERLAND’S LUCKY SEVEN
THE OPPOSITION
JUNIOR REDS
STATS AT THE BACK
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, Jamie Spencer, Sam Carney, Matthew Brown, Harry Robinson
Design Tom Chase Photography Poppy Townson, Ash Donelon, Zohaib Alam, Molly Darlington, Getty, Alamy Thanks to Ellie Decrop, Paul Davies, John Shiel, Aidan Targett-Ness, Mark Froggatt, Jackie Bass/UEFA
SKINNER Marc
FOUR WEEKS ON FROM VICTORY IN MADRID, TONIGHT WE’LL BE OUT TO MAKE IT NINE POINTS FROM NINE IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, AS WE FACE SOME BIG-NAME OPPONENTS ON THE GRAND STAGE OF OLD TRAFFORD...
Welcome to this historic evening under the floodlights at Old Trafford.
It seems fitting that we are back at this ground tonight – the place where we secured Champions League football last season. It was such a momentous moment to celebrate in front of so many people after we faced Manchester City here in May, and we are delighted to be back playing at the venue that has seen so many amazing Champions League nights in this football club’s history. We were disappointed with our performance in the league at the weekend against Aston Villa but I was pleased with how the players reacted after the game, and in training.
The games are coming thick and fast and we have to bounce back quickly. It is important not to dwell on a poor result but to learn from what we did not do well in the game.
We know that Paris Saint-Germain are going to prove a tough challenge this evening but we also know that we have an incredible fanbase behind us. We hear you every game, home and away, and I know tonight will be no different at Old Trafford. So use those voices loudly and make yourselves another part of our history.
Enjoy the game.
We knowPSGaregoingto prove atough challenge butwe also knowwe havean incredible fanbase behindus
picture THE BIG
TOGETHER IN TRIBUTE
Ahead of our Women’s Super League fixture against Aston Villa on Saturday, Reds captain Maya Le Tissier lays down a shirt in memory of our former kitman Jon Humble, who sadly died in October at the age of 44 after a short illness. On the weekend of Remembrance Sunday, the moment added extra poignancy to the pre-match commemorations in Leigh, with the crowd of 3,434 joining the players from both teams in a minute’s silence – held after the playing of traditional military
bugle call The Last Post – to honour all those to have lost their lives in conflicts across the world.
Once the action resumed in autumnal sunshine, it would be an afternoon of frustration for Marc Skinner’s Reds, who suffered a first league defeat of the season.
Natalia Arroyo’s Villans took the lead against the run of play through Miriael Taylor towards the end of the first half and that would prove to be enough for the points, after a stellar
defensive effort from the visitors. Our best chance fell to Ella Toone midway through the second period, but the Lioness was denied inside the six-yard box by a vital block from Anna Patten. Substitute Rachel Williams twice got on the end of crosses late on but could only head straight at Villa goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo on both occasions as Villa held on to claim a first-ever victory over United in the 14th meeting between the sides.
Terrace TAlk ofthe
ALL THE PRE-MATCH CHAT AHEAD OF TONIGHT’S GAME...
Buzzing for this. Manchester United at Old Trafford for the first time in the UEFA Women’s Champions League… And what a blockbuster tie it is too, with French giants Paris Saint-Germain in town. These are the nights Marc Skinner’s side have worked so hard to add to our fixture list over recent years, and the kind of game our players would have been imagining while celebrating initial qualification for this season’s competition, right here at Old Trafford in May. It’s been all of 192 days since we came from two goals down to earn that decisive WSL point against Manchester City on the M16 turf and, now that the Reds have
made a perfect start to the UWCL league phase after successfully coming through the qualifiers, it’s time for the tournament to make its Theatre of Dreams debut.
Tonight should be quite the occasion, but United have got a job to do on the pitch and a response to make after Saturday’s disappointing defeat… The weekend’s narrow loss to Aston Villa was the team’s first in the league this season and only our second across 14 outings in all competitions so far in 2025/26. On the whole, the Reds have been mightily impressive across an action-packed start to the campaign but weren’t at our best on Saturday and ultimately paid the price against what was an organised Villa side. This evening’s assignment coming just four days on provides a swift opportunity to move forward from that unwanted result, as attention returns to what has been a fruitful European term to date.
It’s certainly been a memorable start to our first ‘proper’ Champions League campaign, with two wins from two. Can we make it three in a row?
For sure. It’s still early days in the season but, factoring in our WSL matches too, this United team have already shown that we can go toe-to-toe with some of the best sides on the It was here in M16 where we secured our UWCL place six months ago
continent. Make no mistake about it, despite losing both of their UWCL league-phase encounters so far, PSG remain in that bracket of being one of Europe’s top sides and will provide a real test for the Reds as the Parisians look to get on the board in the tournament this evening. PSG arrive on the back of three straight league wins, the latest being a 4-0 victory against Fleury on Saturday, in which Romee Leuchter scored twice. But with wins from our tightly contested UWCL battles against Valerenga and Atletico Madrid, Skinner’s team will be up for the challenge, and you know the home section of this Old Trafford crowd will be too.
It should be a good atmosphere under the lights. What else can we look forward to this evening?
Before the game, there will be a presentation involving Ella Toone, who became the first player to make 200 appearances for United during our last Champions League outing. Tooney’s landmark achievement will be
celebrated by the pitch so, if you are reading this prior to kick-off and not yet in your seat, be sure to get in that little bit earlier to help us recognise a true Reds hero! Speaking of Reds heroes, ex-United and now-PSG duo Mary Earps and Jackie Groenen could line up for the visitors tonight. Groenen played against us the last time we met the Parisians in 2023 – when they beat us in the qualifying rounds for this competition – but for Earps, this is set to be her return to Manchester after departing the club in 2024 with 125 games and an FA Cup winner’s medal under her belt.
Two familiar names to look out for, then. How are United shaping up for the game?
Celin Bizet Donnum and Millie Turner remained out with injuries at the weekend, but United were able to welcome Leah Galton back from illness. Skinner should have most of his squad available again tonight, although one player we know won’t be involved this time around is Dominique Janssen, who is serving a one-match ban after being sent off in our last European fixture. Dom’s put in a real shift alongside Maya Le Tissier at centre-back so far this term and, with Millie expected to be out until the new year, there is a real opportunity for someone else to come into the backline and contribute to the strong collective display we are hoping to see this evening. C’mon, Reds!
The Reds will be looking to use the disappointment of Saturday to spur them on to a better outcome tonight
Janssen’s red card in Madrid will mean a change in central defence tonight
Thirty brilliant stories in new official club book...
VOTE FOR PHALLON! MUST-READ FOR EVERY YOUNG RED
United shot-stopper
Phallon Tullis-Joyce is in the running to be named The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper for 2025.
PTJ in the running for FIFA’s prized accolade
Player of the Year and earned her first senior cap for the USA too.
Also nominated for the award, twice won by ex-United and now-PSG keeper Mary Earps, are Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham FC), Cata Coll (Barcelona), Christiane Endler (Lyon), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride) and Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton).
If you’re looking for the ideal Christmas gift for any young Reds in your life, check out official club book United Chronicles. Split into 30 short stories and aimed at fans aged 7-13, the illustrated 148-page book is the perfect way for young fans to learn all about the magic, pride and passion of the world’s most famous football club –from the club’s humble beginnings as a railway workers’ team in 1878 right up to the formation of United Women in 2018. It’s on sale from tomorrow, and if you order it via the code below, you’ll also get it for just £7.79 (a 40% saving).
CLUB’S
Tullis-Joyce is one of seven goalkeepers to have been shortlisted for the prize on account of achievements between 11 August 2024 and 2 August 2025. That period covers Phallon’s maiden campaign as United’s first-choice stopper, in which her WSL-leading tally of 13 clean sheets helped us secure Champions League football for this term, while earning her a share of the division’s Golden Glove accolade.
AMAZING STORIES, FROM THE
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO THE RISE OF UNITED WOMEN
Votes from captains, coaches, journalists and fans will be combined to determine the winner, which will be announced at The Best’s annual ceremony (date to be confirmed).
The 29-year-old was voted into the league’s Team of the Season, selected as our Players’
You can head to fifa.com to vote for Phallon before the ballot closes at 10.59pm on Friday 28 November.
from reachsportshop.com
to change. Order by December 18th for UK delivery subject to Royal Mail
Big fixtuRES, grAnd stagEs
Barça are the bookies’ favourites to win this season’s competition, but they have slipped up in Liga F this month
THE THEATRE OF DREAMS ISN’T THE ONLY ICONIC STADIUM HOSTING A UWCL GAME THIS WEEK, AS THE LEAGUE PHASE REACHES ITS HALFWAY POINT...
While United versus PSG is arguably the most mouthwatering of this week’s nine Women’s Champions League contests that make up matchweek three of the league phase, there’s plenty of intrigue across the continent too.
Four fixtures were held last night, with Lyon and Wolfsburg – two teams Marc Skinner’s Reds are to
face in the weeks ahead, of course – battling it out in the latest instalment of their great European rivalry. Both Les Lyonnaises and Die Wolfinnen had 100 per cent records from their opening pair of games and will be targeting long runs in this competition. Such is their pedigree in the UWCL, the European heavyweights have previously met in four finals, with Wolfsburg victorious 12 years ago and reigning French champions Lyon lifting the trophy in 2016, 2018 and 2020 after beating their German opponents.
Elsewhere last night, Real Madrid – another side with a perfect record from their first two outings –welcomed Paris FC to the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium, while WSL champions Chelsea travelled to struggling Austrian side St Polten, who sat bottom of the pile in the 18-team league phase heading into their meeting
with Sonia Bompastor’s Blues. Roma and Valerenga are two other sides without a point to their name from their opening two fixtures, and they met in the Italian capital in yesterday’s early fixture.
Moving on to tonight’s five games, and Arsenal are at Bayern Munich in one of the two 5.45pm starts (UK time). The Gunners were beaten by Lyon in their maiden outing as holders in early October, but Renee Slegers’ outfit got back to winning ways last time out at Benfica with a 2-0 victory. Bayern are yet to truly crack Europe, despite years of domestic dominance in Germany, and were thumped 7-1 by Barcelona earlier in the competition, before overcoming Juventus 2-1 to move them into the knockout phase play-off spots (those finishing between fifth and 12th, who will compete to join the top four in the quarter-finals). Tonight’s meeting with the Londoners is to be played at the Allianz Arena, where an attendance record is expected for the hosts.
Also kicking off at 5.45pm this evening, Barcelona entertain surprise packages OH Leuven – the Belgian champions having taken four points from their opening two fixtures. The Catalans, still seen as the
an attendance record is expected for bayern when they host Renee Slegers’ gunnersatmunich’s AllianzArena
gold standard in the European game despite losing last season’s final to Arsenal, had won their opening 10 games of 2025/26 before a shock Liga F loss to Real Sociedad to kick off November. Will that have a knock-on effect into the UWCL for Pere Romeu’s side?
United v PSG here in M16 shares an 8pm timeslot with two other fixtures. Atletico Madrid – who the Reds edged out in Spain prior to the international break – take on Italian champions Juventus, while Benfica and FC Twente will both be out to record their first win of this season’s league phase when they meet at the grand surroundings of Lisbon’s Estadio da Luz (Stadium of Light).
After tonight, all 18 teams are back in European action next week, with five games on Wednesday – including United’s trip to Wolfsburg – and four more on Thursday evening.
After their defeat to United, Atletico will be out to bounce back against Juventus
The German champions will be hoping a victory against holders Arsenal helps inspire them to reach a first-ever UWCL final this season
MANCHESTER UNITED
Maya THE CAPTAIN
AS OUR ‘CHAMPO’ CAMPAIGN CONTINUES, THE REDS’ SKIPPER WANTS US ALL TO SAVOUR THIS SPECIAL OCCASION...
Tonight is a hugely historic night – not just for us as players but also for you, our fans.
To play here at Old Trafford is always special, but to play under the floodlights on a UEFA Champions League night is going to be an amazing feeling and we can’t wait.
These are the games you want to play in – in the club game’s biggest competition, at a stadium as iconic as this one. I’ve wanted to play Champo football at Old Trafford for a
long time. It’s a stadium that’s got so much history, so to add another bit of our own history to this place makes it even more special. It will feel incredible walking out to the Champions League music at the Theatre of Dreams in front of all you fans. It’ll be dreamy!
These games are the ones we’ve worked so hard to be a part of over the past few years and you fans have been on the journey with us all the way. Whether it’s been on the road, across Europe or at home, we can always hear you in full voice and it really makes the difference when we need an extra boost on the pitch.
So tonight, as we go up against Paris Saint-Germain and look to make it three wins from three in the Champions League, make sure you take a moment to savour the historic moment we are in. We want to enjoy it together as a family, and we know the importance of getting the victory.
Six months on from our last game in M16, Maya and her fellow Reds know you’ll be right behind the team once again
this is history... I’m excited. AGAIN!
”
WHEN IT COMES TO OUR MOMENTOUS MATCHES AND MILESTONES, NO RED HAS SEEN MORE OF THEM THAN ELLA TOONE.
FROM TAKING ON THE VICE-CAPTAINCY,
TO (HOPEFULLY!) FINDING
THE NET IN M16, SHE’S GOT MUCH TO SHARE AS SHE JOINS US AT CARRINGTON...
Interview Charlie Ghagan
Let’s begin with PSG, Ella – you were involved two years ago when they denied us a place in the Champions League group stage. Does that aggregate defeat give you extra motivation for this latest meeting with them? It’s always nice to try and get one back on someone after a defeat, and those two legs were really difficult. PSG were an unbelievable side in those games, but we’ve grown so much since then. We’ve brought in a lot of players who have Champions League experience, including Frido and Julia, and I think we have the motivation that we need – we know what we want as a club and what we want as a team and that’s to win games and to go as far as we can in every competition. So to play PSG in the Champions League is all the motivation we need really.
FACTFILE
FULL NAME Ella Ann Toone
DATE OF BIRTH
2 September 1999
PLACE OF BIRTH
Tyldesley, Greater Manchester POSITION Attacking midfield
YOUTH CAREER
Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers
SENIOR CAREER
2015-17 Blackburn Rovers
33 apps, 26 goals
2016-18 Manchester City 9 apps, 0 goals
Mary Earps was on our team for those games two years ago, of course. How are you looking forward to seeing our former keeper again? Yeah, it will be really nice to see Mary. We’re close friends, we speak a lot. I remember when the fixtures came out – I saw the PSG one straight away and texted her: ‘Can’t wait to see you’. I don’t think she’ll be best pleased if I score against her but for that 90 minutes we’re not mates! It’s always nice to play against a player who you once shared a pitch with on the same team, but of course there will be a different dynamic to this game. Hopefully we can get the win.
And what have you made of the new UWCL format compared to the regular four-team groups? With only four of the 18 teams certain to progress to the quarter-finals, making a winning start, as we have done, was really important wasn’t it… Yeah, with the format it was really important to start well, but it’s also really exciting for us as players and the club to be part of such a massive competition; to have all these experiences to play against teams that we wouldn’t normally face. But we have to build on that and learn quickly that European football is very different to the WSL and domestic club football. You really have to use your game management – for example, teams might come and sit in a block so it’s about how you break them down. But I think if we stick together like we have done so far this season then we can do really well in this competition.
Reflecting on our last home game in the UWCL – you were named Player of the Match against Valerenga, which you must have been pleased with. Valerenga may not be as high-profile as the other opponents we’ll face in the league phase, but they looked very well organised... They were really good at what they did. I’ve played against a lot of deep blocks in my career and that was definitely the best I’ve come up
against. They were very organised and they worked hard. We definitely still created a lot of chances but sometimes you can’t get them in the back of the net, so it was a good job we had that penalty and Maya put it away. We also had to be switched on out of possession because they were also good at counterattacking us. So we’re learning how to come up against that, we’re learning how to beat down blocks, and we know that teams might do that against us more now, especially in the Champions League. Valerenga were really well organised but the important thing is that we got the win, for us to build on.
How we’ve enjoyed watching your ever-encouraging link-up play with Jess Park. How have you found playing alongside her since she arrived in the summer? I’ve really enjoyed playing alongside Jess, and I think it hasn’t taken us long to connect on the pitch. I know what type of player Jess is, and she knows what type of player I am. We’ve played a lot together before – we’ve trained together at England and we actually linked up really well at City’s academy as well a long time ago – so yeah, it’s been really nice. She picks up really good pockets and I think we pass to each other well. I pass
the ball to Jess more than anyone in games, and I know when I give her the ball in tight areas she can get out of it, and vice versa. I feel we’re linking really well at the minute and hopefully that continues as the season goes on.
We’veworked hardbuilding connections inmidfieldand that’sshowing onthepitch
And talking of new arrivals in midfield, in a slightly deeper role Julia Zigiotti Olme seems to have brought a fresh dimension to the middle of the park... Oh, 100 per cent. Julia’s been massive for us so far this season; she’s been really important in what we do. She brings a lot of energy, she breaks up play, she’s really good on the ball... but there’s the work she does off the ball too, as she’s a runner. With the likes of me and Hini around her, we’re quite technical, so having someone like Julia alongside you doing the dirty work is always nice. I hope her hard work doesn’t go unrecognised – for the players playing around her it definitely doesn’t – as she’s been massive for us this season. And I think the midfield we’ve been having, with me, Lisa and Hini – when Lisa comes in it’s been working really nicely, and we all complement each other really well. We’ve worked hard building those connections and that’s showing on the pitch.
Jess and Julia: what a pair of additions to the Reds’ midfield
Ella remembers the pain of Paris
Taking the POTM crown v Valerenga
Let’s talk Old Trafford – for the PSG game we’ll be under the night lights in M16, with the Women’s Champions League anthem playing, and against some big-name opponents, of course. There’s a special feeling to this one compared to previous Old Trafford games, isn’t there… This is history, again – we’re playing a first Old Trafford Champions League game, and that’s history in itself. Hopefully we can get a big crowd with a lot of people supporting us who’ve been with us on our journey so far, seeing us progress and finally make it to the place we know we belong. I’m really looking forward to it and hopefully we can build on our good performances this season and make sure we change what PSG did last time we met them. I’m excited, we all are.
Finally, you were named vice-captain in the summer – does that make you feel any different in the dressing room or on the pitch, having that extra responsibility? We notice you haven’t actually worn the armband yet – it could be a while considering Maya’s incredible consistency! Correct, I’ve never worn it! [Laughs] I don’t think it’s changed things [being vice-captain]. I’ve been at United since I was a young girl and now I have so much experience in football – playing for my club, playing in FA Cup finals, playing for England, playing at the Euros, playing at the World Cup... I feel like I’ve grown over time and I haven’t changed in the sense that I’ve tried to give absolutely my best in every game I play, and to lead by example in that way, but also to speak up when I need to speak up, and to encourage people. I think I’ve just developed that more over time and nothing has changed there, being in the vice-captain role. Saying that, it’s a role I embrace and I hope that I do a good job. ●
“An Old Trafford goal? definitely on my tick list!”
Tooney on scoring in M16...
Tonight’s UWCL tie looks set to be Ella’s ninth appearance for United at the Theatre of Dreams – meaning she’s played in every United Women game here – and despite a number of impressive personal displays in those fixtures, she knows what’s coming as we begin to quiz her about her M16 memories. “Yes, I know I’ve yet to score there!” she smiles. “A goal at Old Trafford is definitely on my tick list – hopefully this season.” So which one of her previous eight outings here (five of which have ended in victory, alongside one draw and two losses) has Tooney enjoyed the most? The answer is United 5 Aston Villa 0, in the WSL on 3 December 2022. “I really enjoyed that day,” she says. “I think it’s one of the most memorable games ever for me in terms of how much I enjoyed it. I remember thinking afterwards, ‘why did I enjoy it so much?’ I think it was just because it was at Old Trafford, I assisted Leah [Galton] in the first half, I assisted Less [Russo] in the second, and being involved in moments like that at Old Trafford is something I always dreamed about growing up.”
Sure, assists are great, but goals are even better, right?! Wouldn’t it be nice to see Ella get off the mark this evening...
Toone is proud to have taken on the vice-captain role
Galton and Russo show their appreciation to United’s double-assister against Villa
Live every week on Sky Sports, BBC, and YouTube.
TALE OF TWO PENNANTS
What’s in the ritual of exchanging ‘gifts’ before a European fixture?
While opposing captains will often swap pennants ahead of kick-off for a domestic cup semi-final or final, the ritual is most synonymous with continental fixtures – a symbolic gesture of goodwill between the competing clubs, only adding to the mystique of such rare meetings of teams from different nations.
Many such pennants are on display, and in the archives, of the club museum here at Old Trafford, including the two pictured right, which will always have their place in club history as being official mementos from United Women’s first-ever European tie: a second qualifying round double-header against tonight’s opponents in October 2023. Both were handed to Reds’ captain Katie Zelem by PSG skipper Grace Geyoro, first at our home stadium in Leigh, and then at Parc des Princes, Paris.
Following the current campaign, United Women will have a few more to add to the collection, of course, with Maya Le Tissier and Atletico’s Lola Gallardo pictured left holding their pennants ahead of our previous UWCL contest. It might not look important, but this small exchange acts as a sign of mutual respect before battle commences. By preserving these colourful, visual reminders of past matches, they evoke strong memories of Manchester United’s rich history.
The club museum now has a dedicated exhibition to celebrate the rise of United’s women’s team – scan the code to book tickets >
These 2023 offerings from PSG are near-identical in look, aside from the flipped crests to recognise the home team in the two-legged contest, which Les Parisiennes won by a 4-2 aggregate scoreline
Stands IN THE
↑ Happy 10th birthday, Lilybelle – keep following your dreams! Love Mum and Dad.
↑ Ava recently turned 13, and she’s a big fan of Maya and Jess – love Mum, Phoebe and Max.
WHO’S HERE FOR TONIGHT’S BIG GAME?
Happy 7th
← ‘Happy birthday, Keren, you are the best wife and mama in the world –lots of love, Sam and Edie.’
15th
← Happy (belated) 7th birthday, Isla. Love Mum, Dad, Ella and George.
↑ Happy anniversary to Debs and Keeley – ‘love you guys!’ say Solid Dave and Stacey.
↑ Bella turns 10 on 14 November – her Mum, Dad, Grandad and Luna the dog hope she has a brilliant day.
● Lucie would like to wish happy birthday to her fiancé Ryan Walley, whose birthday is 10 November. All the best!
● A massive happy 16th birthday to Ellie Clarke – love from Dad and your sisters Amelia and Maddie.
↓ Happy 28th birthday, Paige – your first as a doctor! Love from Mum, Dad, Jess and Sam.
↑ Happy 18th birthday, Ella – love Grandad Chris and all the family.
● Tonight is a special 13th birthday celebration for Àine Waldron – Auntie Marrie sends her love.
● Thirty students from the Queen Katherine School in Kendal, Cumbria are at the game – great to have you here!
↓
birthday to Joseph, love Mum, Dad, Callum, Ava, Auntie Bec and Nanna.
↑ Happy
birthday Elise, love from Ryan, Nat, Vic and Pearl.
Zigiotti Olme JULIA
FIGHTING FIRES
Participants from two of Manchester United Foundation’s partner high schools have been learning key tips and skills to help them stay safe in the event of a fire.
Young people from Manchester Enterprise Academy (MEA) and Levenshulme High School for Girls visited the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service’s training centre in Bury, where a variety of activities were on offer.
The centre includes a life-like set of an ordinary street of houses, which is used by local firefighters in training before they become full-time members of the force on the frontline.
Foundation pupils enjoyed the same privilege of touring the facilities, where they learned about taking an emergency phone call, open-water safety and cold-water shock, and keeping the home safe from fire, including identifying risk factors.
Pertinently, the session, which took place in October, also included awareness topics on the dangers of bonfires and fireworks, ahead of Bonfire Night last week.
Godsmercy, a Year 8 pupil at MEA, said: “We have been learning about fire safety, water safety, and how the staff from the fire service do their jobs.
“I’ve enjoyed it and learned about some of the dangers of a fire, and how you can help your friends if they’re in a fire or stuck in a river or lake.
“The firefighters are very brave and seeing all the work they are doing is great.”
Clayton, 14, also studying at MEA, added: “We’ve been recapping what to do when there’s a fire, what to do in an emergency and how to stop a fire.
“Firefighters go through so much and I feel more aware of what they have to do now.”
For more from the Foundation, visit mufoundation.org
The youngsters learned plenty while taking a tour of the training centre last month
Partner-school pupils take inspiration from fire-safety workshop at Bury
1. KAYLA RENDELL
The keeper joined the Reds from Southampton in January. While she awaits her full debut, Kayla was brilliant at the World Sevens, with some shoot-out heroics.
2. ANNA SANDBERG
Having earned a WSL Player of the Month nomination in September, Anna scored her first Reds goal in October – a fine volley v Chelsea that was our Goal of the Month.
6. HANNAH BLUNDELL
The first Red in the professional era to return to play after giving birth, the flying full-back could well be the next Red to reach 100 appearances – she’s now on 92.
SQUAD SN APSHOTs
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THOSE IN RED
3. GABBY GEORGE
Our no.3 was absent from just two matchday squads last season and now has 39 Reds appearances to her name after making her first start of 2025/26 on Saturday.
7. ELLA TOONE
Our record appearance maker and scorer has had so much success with the Reds since 2018, but how she’d love to net a first Old Trafford goal this evening.
4. MAYA LE TISSIER
Tonight the skipper looks set for her 110th game, and as she notes in her latest programme column, she can’t wait to lead the team out at Old Trafford in the UWCL.
8. JESS PARK 9. MELVINE MALARD
The French forward scored our first-ever UWCL goal in 2023, against tonight’s opponents in Leigh. She has five goals to her name this season – all in the WSL.
ELISABETH TERLAND
Only Teri sits above Malard in our scoring chart this season, with her most recent goal, against former side Brighton, taking her to nine. Can she hit double figures tonight?
A head injury briefly sidelined Jess last month, but otherwise United’s new no.8 has made a fine start to life with the Reds, with four goals and some brilliant link-up play.
LEAH GALTON
After overcoming injury, how Leah has enjoyed her return to action in recent weeks. Along with Rolfo, the 31-year-old brings pace and power to the left of our attack. Also on the Reds’ roster for the 2025/26 season: 36. MARED
ROLFO
The classy left-winger (or left-back) made her sixth start for the Reds on Saturday – one of which came away to Atletico Madrid in the UWCL, when she scored a cracker.
Now into her second season as a Red, the Norwegian offers versatility in attacking positions, and she’ll be keen to get back on the pitch following a back injury.
JULIA ZIGIOTTI OLME
The 27-year-old is another who’s taken no time to settle in, with her tireless midfield work making a real difference since signing in July. She has 50 caps for Sweden.
The experienced forward is still awaiting her first goal of ’25/26, but as ever she’s proved her worth by chasing down tiring opponents across seven sub appearances.
AWUJO
The 22-year-old Canadian international midfielder is back from injury, and her next runout will be her 20th for the club since joining at the start of last season.
Celin’s compatriot recently surpassed 300 senior club games in her career. Her six goals for United in 53 games includes one away to PSG in October 2023.
Hini – who won the Golden Boot at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup by scoring five goals – has been a regular this term, with her quick feet making the Reds tick.
The 21-year-old was back with the senior Wales squad during the recent international break. Alongside Kayla and Phallon, they make up our ‘goalkeepers’ union.’
Simi’s fellow Canadian loves to boss the right touchline, with many of her team-mates picking her out as one of the fastest players they’ve ever shared a pitch with.
The versatile midfielder has been a regular in defence this season, where she often played prior to joining the Reds. Dom recently won her 130th Netherlands cap.
The ever-dependable centre-back has been the ultimate team player since her 2018 debut. A recent knee injury is likely to keep her out until the end of the year.
The super stopper is loving life at United. As well as being just two games short of a half-century for us, she’s recently earned her fourth cap for the United States.
47. JESSICA ANDERSON (MF); 48. SIENNA WAREING (MF); 52. SCARLETT HILL (DF)
dOublE duty
CAN YOU RECALL ALL SIX PLAYERS TO HAVE LINED UP FOR BOTH THE REDS AND LESROUGE-ET-BLEU?
Mary Earps is another who’ll receive a warm welcome tonight, as she returns to the club where she became an iconic figure, with a local wall-mural even popping up to celebrate the commanding keeper named the world’s best in 2022 and 2023. Mary’s 125 Reds appearances included so many breathtaking saves, with her ultimate reward being a 2024 FA Cup winner’s medal. A first trophy in Paris is yet to arrive for Mary, but PSG look better placed than anyone to end Lyon’s Premiere Ligue dominance.
A United fan growing up, Belgium-born, Netherlands international Jackie Groenen became our first overseas signing after making the switch from Frankfurt in 2019. While she didn’t find the net across 60 United games (despite striking the post on her debut in the inaugural Manchester derby) her composure in midfield was a big asset to the team, and she had three strong seasons with the Reds prior to a 2022 move to PSG. Jackie’s game-count for tonight’s opponents is rising towards the 100-mark, while she has three goals. Much like in 2023, she’ll enjoy seeing old friends this evening.
Now with Juventus – who we’ll face in matchweek six – defender Estelle Cascarino was the first player to feature for PSG before joining United. Across her 27 games for Les Rouge-et-Bleu, the high point was a Coupe de France Feminine triumph in 2022, as Estelle’s side walloped Yzeure 8-0 in the final. It would be fair to say that Cascarino’s subsequent loan switch to United, from January-June 2023, wasn’t as successful as she’d have hoped, with her appearing just twice: in our 2-1 win at Sunderland in the FA Cup, before our 5-1 WSL win against Leicester in Leigh. Much like her twin Delphine, who plays for San Diego Wave, there’s no doubting the quality of the 18-capped French international, however, with Estelle since having overcome an anterior cruciate ligament injury to regain a starting place with current Serie A Femminile champions Juve.
Signe Bruun’s loan (in her case from Lyon) was another temporary move that didn’t produce too many highlights, although the Danish forward did feature in seven games during 2021/22, with an injury limiting her involvement in Marc Skinner’s side. One of those runouts came here at Old Trafford, when a long-range effort in injury-time nearly opened Signe’s goals account in our 3-1 win against Everton. Alas, Bruun wouldn’t find the target while at United, but she’d previously had more success in front of goal for PSG, scoring 14 in 44 between 2018-21. As for her current club Real Madrid, Bruun has close to a goal every other game since her switch to Spain in 2023 – and as such is another to watch out for as the current UWCL campaign progresses.
Versatile attacker Celin Bizet Donnum (then better known as Celin Bizet Ildhusoy) was still only 19 when she made made the leap from Norwegian Toppserien to French Premiere Ligue in July 2021. Her year in Paris saw PSG finish as runners-up in the league and while competition for places limited Celin’s involement in that ’21/22 term, her versatility and close control often caught the eye when she did feature, with those admiring glances coming from the WSL, among other places. Tottenham secured Celin’s signature after 13 months in France, two years before her switch to United, with tonight offering Celin the possibility of a first reunion with PSG, weeks after the Reds (although not an injured Celin) faced another of her old sides in Valerenga.
Paris has always held a special place in Aissatou Tounkara’s heart – the defender was born in the city in 1995, and after breaking through with Juvisy (now Paris FC) and becoming a key performer in the French top flight, Atletico Madrid came calling in 2018, where she’d spend four years – winning the Primera Division Femenina in 2018/19 – before her 2022 move to Manchester. Four of Tounkara’s five Reds appearances came in the 2022/23 League Cup, before her homecoming in August 2023 – an “immensely proud” transfer to PSG. Fierce competition at the back led to a loan spell to fellow top-flight side Fleury last season, before her PSG exit in the summer.
Season 2024/25
1,324 signed and charitable items distributed
517k+ total free-of-charge attendances at sessions and events 41% female participation
£2.3m raised by fans and fundraising
41,289
125 unique participants projects
mufoundation.org/ourimpact
MUW ACADEMY
VALUABLE LESSONS
U21s gain plenty from league and cup contests, while our U16s maintain their unbeaten run...
TOP-FLIGHT secured
United’s U21s have qualified for Division One of the Professional Game Academy League, after finishing with an impressive record of six wins from nine games in the northern table – the most recent being the 9-0 hammering of Birmingham last Wednesday. Whether United finish top will be determined after Manchester City play their final fixture today.
Other notable United victories included a 5-0 triumph over Liverpool away from home, with Jess Anderson and Mared Griffiths both netting two, and a 6-1 demolition of Newcastle, with doubles from Mared and Porsha Hoyland-Lau. Layla Drury also netted a brace in a 5-1 win over Leicester, while there were goals from two U16 Reds to have made the step up (Niamh and Casey) to secure a 2-2 draw at Sheffield United.
The Reds couldn’t progress past the group stages of the Women’s National League Cup, where they took on senior women’s sides of real quality, but the benefits of such fixtures have been clear to see. Hoyland-Lau scored the only goal in a 1-1 draw at Wythenshawe, while there was a creditable 3-1 defeat away to third-tier title challengers Wolves, before Stoke won the contest late on in our final game, triumphing 3-2 to leave United finishing third in Group Q.
“The players have experienced many different game-challenges which has been a huge benefit to the team as well as individual development,” says Women’s Academy manager Amanda Goodwin of the National League Cup. “They’ve gone toe-to-toe with players who have played at a high level for years, and the learnings they’ll take from that are so valuable.”
senior switches
Pre-season saw talented young goalkeeper Poppy Lyons-Walker sign on dual-registration terms for FC United Women and the Welsh stopper has made a strong start in the senior game. More recently, Jess Nwachukwu is another to have secured a temporary switch away from the Reds – the pacy right-sided player has joined Bolton, where she will experience senior minutes, while continuing to play and train with United.
UNDER-16s march on
At U16 level, the Reds have had a brilliant start to the season, and remain unbeaten at the time of writing. A four-goal haul from Summer sent United sailing through the FA Youth Cup preliminary round, with Alannah, Isobel and Maddie also scoring in a 7-0 triumph over Newcastle before a first-round win against Leicester. Our U16 Reds also put seven goals past Sunderland, in the JPL Championship Cup, with Alannah and Tia scoring two each.
Goodwin says: “Since the start of pre-season the U16s haven’t lost a game, winning their peer-to-peer tournament for the third time running, while gaining valuable experience and challenges in the JPL boys’ league and progressing in the FA Youth Cup. Many of the players have experienced international football too – a great honour to represent your country, but also something that presents different game-challenges for the players.
“I’d like to give a big thank-you to all the incredible women’s Academy staff who really care and support every player to reach their potential, and we’re all looking forward to seeing the players develop further as people and as footballers.”
Above: Nwachukwu and (top) Lyons-Walker are benefiting from dual-registration loans
Interview Charlie Ghagan
LUCKY
SeVEN
HERE A RED RANDOMLY PICKS SEVEN BOXES, EACH CONTAINING AN OFFBEAT POSER. STEP UP... ELISABETH TERLAND!
Q: Did you have a childhood nickname?
“No, I didn’t have a nickname – ‘Teri’ is definitely new since I came to England. As a kid in Norway, people just called me by my name – which is a long one! So never Liz or Lizzie, or anything. I’ve always been Elisabeth, even when I started playing football there. Maybe it’s a British thing to shorten names, but I’m happy to have become Teri, yeah!”
Q: What is your favourite city in the world to visit?
“I really like to explore new places, different places, but I love Italy and I really love Florence. I’ve been there a few times now and if I had to pick one place for this question, that would be it. I’ve been to Florence three times now, either with football or just for a holiday.”
Q: What’s a film you have seen over 10 times?
“I’ll be honest, I’m very bad when it comes to films! I can tell you one I’ve seen – the new Karate Kid one [Karate Kid: Legends] – but one I’ve seen more than 10 times? No! I’m sorry, I’m so bad! A karate film is all I have!”
Q: What’s the last TV series you watched that you’d recommend to a friend?
“And now a TV question after the film one! [laughs] I literally don’t watch TV. I watch like, the Norwegian news. Does that count? I’m not sure the Norwegian news is much of a recommendation though... is it?”
Q: What’s the best bit of advice you would give to a young footballer?
“Just believe that everything is possible. If I was to speak to a 10-year-old me, that’s what I’d say. Back then I was just playing to become better, rather than to hopefully join one of the world’s best clubs one day. So it wasn’t proper serious but at the same time it’s important to believe in yourself that you can be good enough.”
Facing Italy in the Euros quarter-final: not quite as enjoyable as a holiday there – especially Florence (below)
Hola, mi nombre es ‘Titch’! !‘HIIII-YAHH! Take that, light entertainment!’
Q: What’s the one app on your phone you use the most?
“FaceTime. I talk on the phone all the time, and it’s nice to see the faces of people who I don’t get to see in person, with me living in England. I’m a big fan of the video calls.”
Q: Where is the most unlikely place you’ve been recognised?
“It’s happened a few times but I remember I was on holiday once, on a small Greek island. For someone to actually be there and know about women’s football... there were so few people there that you don’t really expect to meet anyone who knows who you are! It was an English fan, who I think must have supported United! It was unexpected, but nice.”
Teri’s always got time for the fans, whether in Leigh or lands far away...
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
Founded in 1971, PSG Women took a long while to find success – indeed they were only promoted to France’s top division in 2001, while it would be 2010 before they lifted a major trophy – the Coupe de France Feminine. The club’s big-money takeover took place the following year and, much like their men’s side, it enabled them to attact elite talent from across the world. But while PSG men were racking up the league titles, their women’s team still had a hugely dominant Lyon side to overcome, and it would be 2021 before they finally finished above their rivals to claim a domestic league crown. Four years on, how they’d love to win Europe’s biggest prize, just as their men’s team finally did last term. Runners-up in 2015 and 2017, they’ve also been eliminated in the semis five times, most recently in 2023/24 when tonight’s teams last met – PSG displaying the kind of ruthlessness we’ll need to watch out for again tonight from their dangerous attack.
RECENT FORM
Last season marked an all too familiar story for PSG, who finished as France’s second best team for the seventh time in eight years. There was also cup final heartbreak against neighbours Paris FC and the loss of more top talent. Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Korbin Shrader took the increasingly worn path to Lyon (or OL Lyonnes, as they as officially called since their summer rebrand), while Grace Geyoro reunited former boss Jocelyn Precheur at London City Lionesses in a world-record transfer. PSG’s Premiere Ligue start in 2025/26 has been almost perfect, but a 1-6 loss to Lyon in September served as a reminder of their rivals’ domestic dominance. In the UWCL, successive defeats against Wolfsburg (0-4) and Real Madrid (1-2) means there are no points on the board yet for Paulo Cesar (left) and his PSG side.
A couple of familiar faces and stacks of talent make up Les Parisiennes’ 2025/26 squad
WHO TO LOOK OUT FOR...
ABOUT OUR OPPONENTS...
Formed: 1971
Nickname: Les Parisiennes, or Les Rouge-et-Bleu
Major honours: D1 Feminine 2020/21, Coupe de France Feminine 2009/10, 2017/18, 2021/22, 2023/24
Last season: Premiere Ligue runner-up, Coupe de France Feminine runner-up, UWCL second qualifying round, top scorer (all comps): Romee Leuchter (14)
Record v United: P2 W1 D1 L0 F4 A2
Netherlands international Romee Leuchter is the player chiefly tasked with finding the net in this PSG squad. The 24-year-old joined in 2024 from Ajax, where 86 goals in 89 appearances had made her the Dutch club’s all-time leading scorer. While she hasn’t quite hit such mind-boggling levels of scoring with PSG, 20 goals in 37 appearances – including two at the weekend – is a strong return. Leuchter is yet to open her Champions League account for the season, though. Out on the left, Olga Carmona – Spain’s 2023 World Cup-winning captain and scorer of the only goal in the final against England – was a versatile summer arrival after spending five seasons at Real Madrid. Although typically a wing-back or full-back, Carmona (left) is a strong believer that “if you attack well, you defend better” and will want to get forward at will.
LAST UWCL LINE-UP
v REAL MADRID
(HOME), 16.10.25
the leaders
In the dugout, Paulo Cesar was handed the reins on a permanent basis in July following a short interim spell at the very end of last season. The Brazilian – a PSG player himself between 2002 and 2007 – was formerly an Under-19 head coach with PSG Women and steered them to the 2024/25 league title in their age category. On the pitch, Sakina Karchaoui, known as a left-back for many years but now often seen in central midfield, was handed the armband in September and singled out by the new boss for her “exemplary” professionalism. “Sakina is the captain, but the relationship involves eight or nine players in the squad,” Cesar said of his leadership group, specifically naming Paulina Dudek, Griedge Mbock, Katarzyna Kiedrzynek, Jackie Groenen and Mary Earps for the roles they play in driving high standards.
Skipper Karchaoui on the ball as PSG try to find a way back into their contest with Wolfsburg
CAPITAL CLUBS
WHICH THREE OF THESE CLUBS ARE FROM A CAPITAL CITY, MUCH LIKE TONIGHT’S VISITORS FROM PARIS?
BAYERN MUNICH
AND
CAN YOU NAME THE SIX OTHER STOPPERS TO HAVE WORN THE GLOVES FOR UNITED IN
SPOT THE BALL
HERE’S AN ACTION SHOT FROM OUR MOST RECENT GAME AT OLD TRAFFORD, AGAINST MAN CITY IN MAY – BUT WHICH OF THE FOUR FOOTBALLS IS THE CORRECT ONE?
...AND FOR AN EXTRA MARK, WHAT WAS THE FINAL SCORE IN THIS GAME?
CAREER PATH
WHICH CURRENT RED HAS MADE THESE MOVES IN HER SENIOR CAREER?
STATS AT THE BACK
WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE TABLE, 2025/26
UNITED APPEARANCES & GOALS, 2025/26
UEFA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TABLE, 2025/26
HINI JOINS THE LEADERS
As you can see in the table below, Hinata Miyazawa is the latest addition to our leading all-time appearance list, with the Japanese midfielder playing for the Reds for a 59th time on Saturday since signing in September 2023. This evening Hini is likely to go level with Jackie Groenen – now a PSG player, of course – on 60 appearances, while Jayde Riviere only needs two more runouts to reach 60.
go
into
The Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo will host this season’s UWCL final in late May
F IXTURES + RESULTS
ADDED-TIME QUIZ
1
How many clean sheets did PSG stopper Mary Earps keep in her 125 appearances for United: 44, 54 or 64?
2 Which current Reds midfielder scored her first United goal away to tonight’s opponents in a Champions League qualifier in 2023?
3
Which number, made famous by an iconic compatriot, did Jackie Groenen wear during her time with United?
4 Groenen and Earps both made their Reds debut in our first-ever WSL game back in 2019, but who were our opponents?
5 Which team will the Reds face in our final UWCL leaguephase fixture, on 17 December?
6 Which current United squad member was on the bench when PSG lifted the Coupe de France in 2022?
7 Aside from Maya Le Tissier and Ella Toone, which other Red has started all eight of our Champions League games to date, including the two 2023/24 qualifiers v PSG?
8 Who won the Champions League the season United last faced PSG in the competition – Barcelona or Lyon?
9 What was tonight’s competition originally called, before being renamed in 2009: the UEFA Women’s Cup, the UEFA Champions Cup, or the UEFA Women’s League?
10
Melvine Malard’s goal at home to PSG in 2023 was her second in as many games, having netted on her United debut against which London side?
honour of Johan Cruyff;
Manchester City;
Juventus; 6. Celin Bizet Donnum; 7. Jayde Riviere; 8. Barcelona; 9. UEFA Women’s Cup; 10. Arsenal
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)
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN WOMEN
Head coach Paulo Cesar
Katarzyna Kiedrzynek (GK)
Thiniba Samoura
Crystal Dunn
Paulina Dudek
Elisa De Almeida
Joe Echegini
Sakina Karchaoui
Yaya
Froya Dorsin
Rasheedat Ajibade
Florianne Jourde
Isabela
Jackie Groenen
Romee Leuchter
Eva Gaetino
Tara Elimbi Gilbert
Ornella Graziani
Noemie Fatier
Baby Jordy Benera
Agueissa Diarra
Anais Ebayilin
Mary Earps (GK)
Jade Le Guilly
Griedge Mbock
Merveille Kanjinga
Oceane Toussaint (GK)
Fanny Rossi
Olga Carmona