Manchester United Women v Arsenal Women match programme WSL, 21.11.21

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 2021/22 SEASON • VOLUME 04 ISSUE 05

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WHAT’S INSIDE

COME ON YOU REDS! After late derby joy on Wednesday (above), it’s a second home game of the week, with Jonas Eidevall’s Gunners the visitors. Winger Kirsty Hanson is the focus of today’s big interview (p12), where the popular Scottish international shares her excitement for today’s high-profile fixture, which – not for the first time this season – will be broadcast live on BBC. As you can read about on p22, the cameras will be back at LSV when the domestic campaign ends next year, while elsewhere in this issue there are the words of the boss (p4) and skipper (p19).

MANCHESTER UNITED F O O T B A L L C L U B LT D Co-chairmen Joel Glazer, Avram Glazer Directors Bryan Glazer, Kevin Glazer, Edward Glazer, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz,

04 HEAD COACH’S column 09 MATCH ACTION ROUND-UP

Ed Woodward, Richard Arnold, Michael Edelson, Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill CBE Secretary Rebecca Britain

12 Kirsty Hanson interview 19 captain’s column

Honorary president Martin Edwards MATCH PROGRAMME TEAM Editor Charlie Ghagan

22 the euros IN leigh!

29 MU foundation

Editor-in-chief Ian McLeish Contributors Sean Mullan, Harriet Drudge, Harry Robinson, Andy Murray Photography Ash Donelon,

30 the opposition 34 quiz

John & Matt Peters, Getty Cover design Sarah Robson Thanks to Haylee Howe, John Shiel & Chris Leuty/ MuPrint.com

37 player & team statistics

© Manchester United 2021

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HEAD COACH’S COLUMN

MARC SKINNER In preparation for today, the boss has been reminding his players of the many positives from recent games – while urging them to be aggressive in attack...

Hello and welcome to Leigh Sports Village where we return to WSL action and welcome leaders Arsenal.

They’ve played seven, won six, drawn one, conceded three – an incredibly impressive record. Arsenal are flying high. Assessing their strengths, of which there are many, has obviously been a part of our preparation this week, but our main focus is on continuing to play our way and we know we have the quality in our team to exploit and make them uncomfortable.

We know today will be a difficult match. Kim Little is world class in ball possession and so much more. If Arsenal’s starting front three aren’t quite firing, Jonas Eidevall can bring another three international-class players on. We will need to be at our best defensively.

These are the games we want to be playing and testing ourselves in, though. We are an ambitious group and Manchester United is a club that wants and expects to be challenging near the top of the table. If we can commit 100 per cent to ourselves and our ideologies, I’m sure we can give them lots of things to worry about.

On the back of three draws in the league, it’s important we don’t lose sight of the things we do well.

The goals we conceded against Tottenham and Everton

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put a different lens on the matches. Spurs scored a goal in the last seconds to snatch a point – if you score that, you feel like you’ve won; if you concede it, you feel like you’ve lost. The statistics, though, point to the fact that we controlled that match. It’s now about using that control and turning it into a final product more regularly.

Against Everton last Sunday, we were threatening with our full-backs and more aggressive in wide areas, but we need to be aggressive in the final third too.

Our energy is brilliant, and we need that in our final actions now. We’ll keep working at it and it won’t be long until we’re scoring goals for fun.

We continue to develop and progress as a group and though we take each game as it comes, we are also very excited about our home match against Everton in March next year, which will take place at Old Trafford. It will be such a fantastic milestone for this team to play in front of thousands of fans at the Theatre of Dreams.

For now, we’re focused on the challenge in front of us, and we can’t wait to see and hear you as loud as always this afternoon.

Enjoy the match.

HEAD COACH’S COLUMN

to manage at the stadium. asrenal, bitter diss, dont think performed badly. lowest possession arsenal have had under JM but got to turn poss in chances, and turn those chanes into goalsm, and how we went in at half-time 1-0 down i’;ll never know. it was diss cos our sloippy poss turned over ball early doors, very much message was to stay in game as long as possible, dont conced, they have to win and willl come out and then we can capitalise, but early goal put on bvack foot, gave us alot to do. but have to be pleased with elements but key moments when didnt take chances cost us. unf not in our hands GD, they have still got to win all their games and we need to make sure we win ours.

“THE GOALS WE CONCEDED AGAINST SPURS AND EVERTON PUT A DIFFERENT LENS ON THE MATCHES. OUR ENERGY IS BRILLIANT, AND WE NEED THAT IN OUR FINAL ACTIONS NOW” 05

BIG PICTURE

THE FINISHING TOUCH...

Ella Toone curls a right-footed shot into the corner of the Everton net at Walton Hall Park last Sunday. As pinpoint as Ella’s 10th-minute strike was – her fourth of the season, and 36th for the Reds in her 82nd appearance – the build-up was equally worthy of praise: a sweeping, cross-field clearance from inside her own box by Hannah Blundell; a driving run into the opposition half by Alessia Russo; a tidy cut-back from Martha Thomas to evade defender Gabrielle George and tee up Toone... and then the finish. Beautiful. Frustratingly, the hosts would hit back, resulting in a third straight WSL draw for the Reds, but we’re only three points behind third-placed Brighton.

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Ham United

BIG PICTURE

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MANAGER

LATEST STORIES

MUW NEWS WE WANT YOUR STORIES! Club museum seeks female matchgoers from 1960-2000 hear from women who attended games at Old Trafford in this period, and who would be prepared to share their memories in the form of an oral history interview.

These recordings will allow the museum to fill gaps in their knowledge of the club’s history, and will ensure that these experiences are not forgotten. They would

Pictures courtesy of Iain Reid

The Manchester United Museum is looking to celebrate the fascinating stories of women who attended United games prior to the turn of the century.

Named ‘Forgotten Voices of Terraces: The Experience of Female Football Fans, 1960-2000’, the project sees the club museum work alongside award-winning historian (and lifelong Red) Dr Michala Hulme (pictured right) from the University of Birmingham. The museum would love to

Look at the scarves and badges! If you have a story to share from watching MUFC, you could be immortalised in the club museum

be kept in the museum’s archive, and used for research, exhibitions and club publications.

If you would be interested in lending your voice to the project, please get in touch with Michala – an expert on ITV’s DNA Journey, who also appears in the new series of Channel 4’s The Great British Dig. Her email address is: m.hulme.1@bham.ac.uk.

TOONE PICKS UP MONTHLY PFA AWARD While today signals the Reds’ final game of November, since our last home league outing the results of the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month award for October have been announced, with Ella Toone taking top spot. Our no.7 picked up 24.3 per cent of the fan vote, just pipping Chelsea’s Fran Kirby (24.1 per cent).

Ella’s excellent season continued in October

Finishing below the top two were United’s Hannah Blundell, as well as Arsenal players Katie McCabe, Kim Little and Lotte Wubben-Moy. Toone was a standout performer in a short month, with every side playing just two WSL fixtures played ahead of the international break (in which Ella claimed a hat-trick for England v Latvia). After putting the seal on the Reds’ 2-0 win at Birmingham, Toone supplied a fine assist for Lucy Staniforth in the draw with Manchester City.

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Manchester United v West Ham United

MATCH ROUND-UP

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Tale of the turnaround in midweek Wed 17 Nov, Leigh Sports Village, Continental Tyres League Cup UNITED 2 (Ferreira Fuso 30, Batlle 82) MANCHESTER CITY 1 (Losada 2) Marc Skinner celebrated his first derby victory as United manager after a late goal from Ona Batlle secured an important three points in the Conti Cup group stages for the Reds on Wednesday.

Manchester City had taken an early lead at Leigh Sports Village, Vicky Losado scoring her third goal of the season with a thumping drive. But United’s victory was a tale of determination and persistence. Ivana Ferreira Fuso levelled the score after half-an-hour with her second goal of this year’s Continental Cup, but only after Kirsty Hanson had pursued a fumble from City goalkeeper Karima Benameur Taieb.

A frantic, end-to-end second half followed, the highlight of which was Batlle’s winner. The Spanish full-back followed Hanson’s example, winning the ball back in the City box before finishing well to put us ahead.

It left a tense final 10 minutes for the thousands of supporters who turned out, but the Reds held out and Skinner’s team now know they will definitely go through in the cup if they can find another couple of wins against Leicester City and Everton.

What a moment for Ferreira Fuso as she levels

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Batlle gets her reward with just eight minutes left to play

Fewer than two minutes had gone when Losado powerfully drove an old-fashioned thumper past Sophie Baggaley with her right boot. It was an inspired moment of individual quality that gave City a fantastic early foundation which they used well.

United took some time to grow into the game, but began to do so after 20 minutes. Kirsty Hanson, starting on the left of a 4-2-3-1 formation, turned her marker well and drifted into the box dangerously.

Her shot ruffled the Blues’ sidenetting.

City could, and perhaps should, have seen their lead doubled when Hayley Raso was sent through by a wonderful defence-splitting pass. Raso couldn’t control the bouncing ball sufficiently to keep her shot down.

Just after the half-hour mark, City goalkeeper Taieb fumbled from a long United cross. Hanson put her under pressure and stole the loose ball away. She paused and then laid off gently for the on-running Fuso, who finished emphatically, high into the goal.

United dominated the early proceedings of a frenetic second half, but were unable to find clear-cut chances.

The visitors soon found their rhythm once again, although it stuttered with the regular changes made.

The game opened up, and Skinner turned to Alessia Russo early on after Martha Thomas picked up a knock.

Soon it was Leah Galton and Ella Toone joining as well.

It became end-to-end and, in such an environment, United’s many quick players thrived. Substitute Russo perhaps should have scored when given time in the box to shoot, right-footed, at Taieb. The 32-year-old keeper parried out for her defender Demi Stokes to clean up, but Batlle showed great persistence to outmuscle Stokes, steal the ball back and finish into the far left of the goal.

Tension mounted as City sought an equaliser to send the game to penalties. United cleared off the line after a scrappy, pinball chance in the 88th minute, but managed to hold out for a crucial three points that sends the Reds second in Group B, with a game in hand on leaders City.

Turn to p38-39 to see United line-ups for all fixtures

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

#18 KIRSTY HANSON

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KIRSTY HANSON

The winger’s talent and work rate have always been clear to see, but as our no.18 tells us she’ll never stop pushing herself to reach the next level – with the targets of more goals, more assists and more Scotland caps spurring her on every day...

Interview: Harry Robinson

Let’s start off with your form this season... it’s been pretty good. Would you agree?

I’ve gained a bit of confidence. I’ve been linking up with others, keeping the ball better, trying to get assists, putting in loads of tackles to stop the opposition getting past our frontline, winning the ball back and getting our other forwards into position. I started off with a great goal [against Reading] and I want to get more goals and more assists now. I think I just need to keep building on that, play consistently and play well consistently.

You’ve played in 75 per cent of minutes in the WSL this season – a higher rate than before. Do you think that consistency in the team is helping you to improve?

Yeah, definitely. Last season, world-class players came in; I learnt a lot off them and it got me even hungrier to start every game. Learning off them, I always put in 100 per cent in training, because I’m never guaranteed a spot and I never should be, but I like to have a challenge, I like to push myself to get in the starting line-up every week, so I think it’s a reward every time I get selected in the starting XI. I just need to prove myself when I play games.

On the ball, the stats show that you probably should have a couple more assists to your name by now. Do you think it’s just a matter of time before the numbers of goals and assists follow the performances?

Hopefully. I like to put balls into great positions for our forwards. I think we just need to become more clinical

Kirsty has embraced the tactical vision of the new manager

and be more ruthless in front of goal. Under Marc, it’s a different style of play. We’re getting used to it now, we’re linking with each other, and new relationships are forming, especially for some of the new players coming in, like me working with different players like Hannah [Blundell], for example. And I think we’re building those relationships now where we know where each other is going to be. There’s still a long way to go but it’s starting to show and hopefully the goals and the assists will come.

And can you talk us through your role this season?

How does it differ from last season under Casey?

It’s not much of a change, really, it’s just obviously the press that we play is different. I have a job to show people down the line, keeping the full-backs out wide so they can only go one way. I think it’s something I’m getting better at each time, forcing them out wide and making them very predictable so they can’t get through. I’m also getting in more narrow positions, picking the ball up, linking with the midfield and forwards and making more runs in behind. I think that’s making it much harder for the defenders I come up against now because they won’t always know what I’m doing. It’s great to have that in my locker now, doing different things off and on the ball.

You seem to put quite a lot of emphasis on the defensive side of your game...

I probably do more defending than attacking! I like to put in 100 per cent. Even if I lose the ball, I’m just so frustrated that I want to win the ball back for the team. I think that’s what I’ve got really good at. ⊲

“I’M NEVER GUARANTEED A SPOT AND NEVER SHOULD BE, BUT I LIKE TO HAVE A CHALLENGE; TO PUSH MYSELF TO GET IN THE LINE-UP EVERY WEEK” 13

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

FACTFILE: Full name Kirsty Hanson Date of birth 17 April 1998 Place of birth Halifax, West Yorkshire Position Winger Youth career Manchester United, Liverpool Senior career 2016 Sheffield FC, 10 games, 0 goals 2017-18 Doncaster Rovers Belles, 32 games, 14 goals 2018- Manchester United, 75 games, 16 goals International career Scotland: 10 caps, 1 goal On that theme of determination, your career is a story of resilience. It might be fair to say you weren’t destined to be a professional footballer, but you made sure you were by persevering, not giving up and working hard. Is that what you carry through now?

Definitely. There are obviously very talented players in this league and I wouldn’t say I’m as talented as them, but it’s always the hard work that gets you to places. My family do that; that’s just the way they work, they always work hard to get to where they want to be. I always like to prove people wrong. When people come up to you who used to doubt you and say, ‘oh, you’re doing brilliant’... it’s kind of a reward for me because I knew I’d prove them wrong. I just need to keep doing it now. If you want to achieve a dream, you have to work hard. I’m quite glad I’ve always got things to work on because obviously I

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dgdgdgdgdgd Hanson has featured in all seven of our WSL games so far this season

always want to do better, each pre-season, every time I have a break, I always want to work hard on something because I know I’m nowhere near as good as I can be.

What kind of things have you been working on recently; we saw you doing speed work over summer?

Yeah, I’m obviously a fast player anyway but I’m so hard on myself that I just want to be able to make sure that I’m even faster. With that hard work in the off-season, I think it’s starting to show now because I’m not afraid to take on players and put in a tackle against players that have much more experience than me and have played in other countries. I like to put in that extra bit of work because it does help me become a better player on the pitch.

Turning to international football, you’ve continued to be a regular in the Scotland set-up and your family got to watch you play for the first time recently, right?

It was such a special feeling because it was a long time coming. My first game was away to Albania [in 2019], and I only found out a few days before that, so they couldn’t come to that. And then obviously Covid hit so they couldn’t watch any of my games and then finally they were able to come to the Hampden game, which is our new home pitch. It’s amazing for them to come and watch. It just makes me more eager because I want to be able to take them to a big competition like the World Cup.

KIRSTY HANSON With fellow speedster Leah out on the training ground

Kirsty has now won 10 Scotland caps... ... and has come a long way since she was part of United’s Regional Talent Club

“WHEN PEOPLE COME UP WHO USED TO DOUBT YOU AND SAY, ‘OH, YOU’RE DOING BRILLIANT’, IT’S A REWARD FOR ME, BECAUSE I KNEW I’D PROVE THEM WRONG” We know your mum is a former athlete and imagine she’s someone you’ve looked up to and learnt from.

Are there any other sportspeople who inspire you or who have acted as role models in the past?

Yeah, my mum was an athlete and so she knows all about it, the mentality you have to have, the hard work you have to do, the sacrifices. And then my dad, as well. He’s not really interested in sport, but he comes to every single game. He travels around the country for me and he’s so supportive for me because he knows exactly what I go through to make sure I get to where I want to be. He’s one of my biggest supporters as well, and he’s like that with my brother as well and I think it’s just great to have someone like that in my life. I like to be a kind, positive person and I think I get that off my dad as well.

You’ve spoken a lot before about trying to build your own self-belief, and your family is clearly a big part of that, but could you talk us through a bit how you’ve been trying to do that personally?

I get told a lot that I need to believe in myself more. It’s so hard to do. They tell me that a lot, my friends and

my family. So, I like to watch the good bits of my game back. I’m always on Hudl [an app to study performance] watching my training back, the analysis. I like to see probably more of what I do well, so I keep that in my mind and make sure I take that into my next game and do it more often. But also having meetings with coaches and staff and doing the little things, even if it’s just noting down what went well today; to keep that in the back of my mind and keep building on that, to make sure I’m in the positive mindset of believing in myself and believe why I’m a professional footballer and why I’ve got here.

On a similar theme, you have a degree in sports coaching. Do you look at the coaches who help you and try to look at what they do that’s good?

I’ve got it as a degree, but I’ve not really thought about it since. I’ve done a sports business course as well. You know who’s a good coach and you learn off them. I keep that with me because I like to help the younger players that come up like Carrie [Jones] and Tara [Bourne]. I’m always talking to them, especially Carrie, because she’s in my position. I like to give her tips because she’s a ⊲ Manchester United Women v Chelsea Women 15 15

KIRSTY HANSON Definitely. I want to be more consistent. I think I’m getting there now, especially compared to previous seasons, but I want to contribute more to the team, such as scoring, which is something I keep working at and it’ll come. I just need to keep working hard and keep taking my shots.

Goal no.16 for the Reds was one to savour against the Royals back in September

“AGAINST READING I JUST WENT A BIT CRAZY! AND I TOTALLY FORGOT THAT WE WERE ON SKY SPORTS” very good player and she also pushes me to be a better player as well. I like to be challenged so I tell her what she should do better, what will be good, and I think I get that off the coaches I’ve worked with in the past. We’ve got some special young players coming up as well so sometimes if they don’t believe they’re good enough, I like to talk to them because I’ve been in their shoes before.

Do you think you’ve had that in your career over the last few years, here at United but also from Arsenal’s Kim Little in the Scotland squad?

Yeah, Kim Little’s a fantastic player and I’ve learnt from her, and how humble she is. And we [Scotland] have Rachel Corsie, who’s now captain of Scotland; she’s very motivational and I learn a lot off her as well. And then obviously previous experienced players at United like Christen [Press] and Tobin [Heath] as well. That’s where I want to be when I’m at their age. I’ve looked up to a lot of players and learnt off them and I want to be one of those role models for younger players coming up, too.

And short-term, with your goals for this season, are they consistency and scoring form?

How do you think the start of the WSL season has been in general for women’s football, with the TV deal and increased media coverage – you scored our first goal in that first game on Sky Sports?

It’s amazing. Just being on Sky Sports is something special, something you didn’t think was possible as a little girl. We’ve got that, we’ve got more coverage, more fans watching, so then that means more fans will be coming to games and more girls can look and think, ‘oh, wow they’re on TV, I want to be like that’. It’s encouraging more females getting into football and sport now. The first goal against Reading was something special. I think I just went a bit crazy! Obviously we had fans back, and I totally forgot that we were on Sky Sports. I was like, ‘I need to calm down’. But just seeing how many viewers watched that, it was something special.

Everyone wants to see players celebrate like that!

Looking ahead to the Arsenal game, what have you made of a revived Gunners side this season under new manager Jonas Eidevall?

They’ve got world-class players and a very big depth to their squad. They’re going to be a difficult team to play against but you’ve got to play the best to be the best and we’re always up for a big game. We’ve shown previously that we can beat them and even with injuries, we can get really good results. We just need to keep positive, stick to our game, and believe we can beat them. It doesn’t matter who’s on the pitch; for example, Spurs took some points off them at the weekend and we can do that, we just need to be resilient and make sure we bounce back from recent results. We don’t need to look at their team-sheet, we need to focus on ours which has really good players on it. Everyone’s got something different about them and it’s about togetherness in these types of games.

It should be a great atmosphere at Leigh – how much could that play a part?

Fans are a massive part of this team and this club. They push us over the line sometimes. We know what we can do, we want to get these results for the team, the fans, our family and the staff. ⬤

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M a n u t d.c o m / w o m e n s t i c k e t s

CAPTAIN’S COLUMN

KATIE ZELEM Despite late frustration in recent away games, the skipper can see the team’s progress, and believes lessons have been learnt from earlier in the season...

The big games keep coming! Today we welcome Arsenal, a team full of quality all across the pitch: Vivianne Miedema is an incredible goalscorer, Kim Little in the middle, Beth Mead... I could go on. All three of them in particular have had an unbelievable start to the season. Sometimes you’ve just got to say hats off; they’re great players.

We’re aware of the challenge and will be prepared for it today, and though our last couple of league games have been disappointing results for us, with draws at both Tottenham and Everton, our performances have been good. We’re getting ourselves in front in games, which is a positive, but we’re struggling to put teams to bed. It’s important for us to take it up a level and find a cutting edge, rather than hang on for the result.

Conceding another late goal against Everton – after the last-minute equaliser against Tottenham earlier this month – isn’t up to the standards we set ourselves, we know that. We’ll learn from that and build on what we did well in those games going forward too.

With hindsight, we were maybe a bit naive going into the Chelsea game back in September. Since then, we’ve come on a lot as a team. We’re still in single figures in

Going up against Miedema when we first faced the Gunners, in February 2019

terms of the number of matches we’ve played under Marc, but we’re growing each time. We want to make sure any opposition team has to work really hard to be able to score against us and for us to convert more of our chances.

It was always going to take us time to adapt to different philosophies, as individuals and as a team, and we’re definitely making progress, which is exciting to see.

We’ll continue to work hard over the next few weeks and months to turn more of our performances into wins.

Enjoy the game.

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AOIFE MANNION Born: 24/09/1995 Nationality: English Trivia: The Brummie went to the same school as England midfielder Jack Grealish.

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ONA BATLLE Born: 10/06/1999 Nationality: Spanish Trivia: Opened her scoring account with a long-range goal v Reading in September.

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MILLIE TURNER Born: 07/07/1996 Nationality: English Trivia: Back in training after picking up an injury in September.

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MARY EARPS Born: 07/03/1993 Nationality: English Trivia: September saw Mary win her 12th England cap – and first since November 2019.

MARTHA HARRIS Born: 19/08/1994 Nationality: English Trivia: First-ever winner of PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year award, in 2014.

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KIRSTY SMITH Born: 06/01/1994 Nationality: Scottish Trivia: Played all three games for Scotland in their first World Cup, in 2019.

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HANNAH BLUNDELL Born: 25/05/1994 Nationality: English Trivia: With three WSL assists so far this season, only Toone (four) has more.

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MARIA THORISDOTTIR Born: 05/06/1993 Nationality: Norwegian Trivia: While at Chelsea, she was an FA Cup final winner against today’s opponents in 2018.

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SOPHIE BAGGALEY Born: 29/11/1996 Nationality: English Trivia: The 24-year-old came through the Derby County Centre of Excellence.

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THE PLAYERS: 2021/22 SEASON

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JACKIE GROENEN Born: 17/12/1994 Nationality: Dutch Trivia: Still recovering after hamstring injury on international duty.

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LUCY STANIFORTH Born: 02/10/1992 Nationality: English Trivia: Flicked in from close range v City to register her first WSL goal for United.

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MARTHA THOMAS Born: 31/05/1996 National team: Scotland Trivia: Claimed first WSL assist of the season away to Everton last weekend.

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IVANA FERREIRA FUSO Born: 12/03/2001 Nationality: Brazilian Trivia: Brazil international remains eligible to play for Germany and Italy.

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ALESSIA RUSSO Born: 08/02/1999 Nationality: English Trivia: Scoring form for Reds saw her earn an England recall in October.

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KATIE ZELEM Born: 20/01/1996 Nationality: English Trivia: Trained at United Girls’ Centre of Excellence and is now club captain.

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KIRSTY HANSON Born: 17/04/1998 National team: Scotland Trivia: Got United’s first competitive goal of ’21/22 with composed finish v Reading.

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LEAH GALTON Born: 24/05/1994 Nationality: English Trivia: Winger’s pre-match superstition is to braid her hair – it has to be different every game!

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ELLA TOONE Born: 02/09/1999 Nationality: English Trivia: Scored the winner in today’s fixture 12 months ago to take us to the top of the WSL.

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CARRIE JONES Born: 04/09/2003 Nationality: Welsh Trivia: Full Wales international who provided an assist on her first start of ’21/22, v Durham.

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HAYLEY LADD Born: 06/10/1996 National team: Wales Trivia: Our Player of the Year in 2019/20 missed last Sunday’s game at Everton through illness.

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VILDE BOE RISA Born: 13/07/1995 Nationality: Norwegian Trivia: Scored her first Champions League goal last season, v Manchester City.

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THE PLAYERS: 2021/22 SEASON

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“

LSV AT THE EUROS

Proud and privileged

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These are the words of the Wigan Council leader – who, as we discovered, isn’t the only one excited about United Women’s home stadium being a host venue at the Women’s European Championship next summer...

Words: Charlie Ghagan

T

he countdown is on.

In less than eight months’ time, England will (finally!) play host to the delayed European Women’s Football Championship, a tournament its organisers are predicting to be “the biggest women’s football event in UEFA history”.

While the number of nations (16) and total matches (31) equals that of the previous tournament, held (and won by) the Netherlands, it’s the unprecedented clamour for tickets that’s been creating the biggest buzz: over 160,000 tickets were sold during the pre-sales phase alone – a figure “that smashed our own high expectations,” revealed UEFA chief of women’s football Nadine Kessler at the finals draw on 28 October.

That draw took place in front of an audience at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse – a stone’s

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throw from Old Trafford, which is to host the tournament’s opening game, England v Austria, on the evening of 6 July. It was no surprise to see such an iconic venue as the Theatre of Dreams on the 10-strong list of stadiums where the 31 fixtures will be played next year, concluding with what should be the biggest attendance of the tournament for the Wembley final on 31 July, but one inclusion that raised a few eyebrows when the venues’ list was confirmed in August 2019 was that of Leigh Sports Village.

At that time, Manchester United Women had completed just one full season here and, while United’s Academy teams within the men’s set-up had been LSV regulars since 2014/15, the stadium had not consistently hosted a senior men’s side since then semi-pro side Leigh Genesis had vacated WN7 in 2010.

LSV AT THE EUROS To many locals, LSV – officially opened by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in May 2009 – will always be regarded as a rugby league venue, having originally been built for Leigh Centurions, ongoing tenants since day one.

United Women fans will no doubt see things a bit differently (and would probably like to see a statue of Ella Toone alongside that of rugby league legend John ‘Woody’ Woods out front) but it’s thanks to rugby that the venue has gained so much experience in hosting international sporting events. LSV has been the venue for four England rugby league games, as well as one game at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, plus another during qualifying for the 2017 tournament. LSV has also been selected to host three games at next autumn’s Rugby League World Cup, which like Women’s Euro 2022 was delayed on account of Covid-19.

UEFA chief of women’s football Nadine Kessler (top) at last month’s draw, when United’s own Juan Mata pulled Russia out the hat for Group C

It’s not just a home for sports, either: in June 2014, Sir Elton John played to a sell-out crowd of 17,000 here. “It’s wonderful to be in Leigh – when I was young I used to watch

the rugby league with Eddie Waring commentating,” the crooner told the excited crowd, before adding: “I’d rather play here than the Manchester Arena!” ▶

OVER 160,000 WOMEN’S EURO 2022 TICKETS WERE SOLD DURING THE PRE-SALES PHASE – A FIGURE THAT SMASHED UEFA’S OWN HIGH EXPECTATIONS

THE MANCUNIAN WAY.

© 2021 adidas AG

LSV AT THE EUROS

What an occasion at LSV in May 2009, as Queen Elizabeth II opens the stadium while Leigh locals line the streets

‘“THESE HIGH-PROFILE GAMES GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO INSPIRE AND EMPOWER WOMEN AND GIRLS” – WIGAN COUNCILLOR DAVID MOLYNEUX That high-profile gig boosted local businesses as much as local pride, with LSV’s chief executive Simon Toon noting: “A number of people said the concert made them proud to be from Leigh.”

While United Women’s home wasn’t on the original list for Women’s Euro 2022, when the use of Nottingham Forest’s City Ground became unfeasible due to planned refurbishments, Nottingham’s loss became the borough of Wigan’s gain. Along with the immediate benefits to tourism and hospitality in the area – something that’s more welcome than ever following the pandemic – there are longer-term effects to consider, namely the

Not every matchgoer at LSV will know who this Leigh legend is!

legacy of inspiring more young girls to get involved in the sport, as well as boosting followers of women’s football in general.

As councillor David Molyneux, leader of Wigan Council, says of the tournament: “It’ll be a showpiece event, with young people across the borough inspired by some of the world’s best female athletes.

“Over the last few years it’s been fantastic to play a part in Manchester United Women’s success by hosting home games at LSV, and hosting matches in this international tournament will only add to the momentum of the women’s game.

“These high-profile games give us the opportunity to inspire and empower women and girls – we want to ensure that new teams and facilities are created and lots more girls are encouraged to take part.”

Such an opportunity to drive the popularity of the women’s game isn’t just a local ambition, either; it’s a collective, nationwide strategy,

with the FA setting clear targets for the legacy of Women’s Euro 2022 across the host venues – the headline figures being 120,000 more girls playing in schools and clubs by 2024, and 20,000 women playing the game for fun as well as friendship (something which will always be an important part of any recreational team sport).

Other targets set out include the addition of 300 newly FA-qualified female coaches (double the current number across the host cities) and 350 new FA-qualified female referees.

In order to make that happen, bums on seats for the tournament’s 31 fixtures, alongside healthy TV audiences on free-to-air broadcasts, will go a long way, with England’s progress across the 25-day tournament under new head coach Sarina Wiegman surely helping in that respect. A peak TV audience of 11.7m watched the BBC coverage of the 2019’s Women’s World Cup semi-final between England and ▶

25

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Visit Barclays.com/20years to see the full story

Barclays is celebrating 20 years of commitment to the game we all love, first as title sponsor of the Premier League, and now the Barclays celebrating 20 years of commitment we BarclaysisFA Women’s Super League.

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Barclays is celebrating 20 years of commitment to the game we

LSV AT THE EUROS

Four Euro 2022 fixtures at LSV

Groenen was a Euros winner in 2017, and she might get to line up at her club stadium as the Netherlands seek to retain the trophy

Saturday 9 July, 5pm Russia v Switzerland, Group C Wednesday 13 July, 8pm Netherlands v Russia, Group C Sunday 17 July, 5pm Sweden v Russia, Group C

Old Trafford will host the opening match at the Women’s Euros, between England and Austria

the United States, making it the most-watched women’s football fixture ever on UK television, and the national broadcaster will be showing live games and highlights across its many platforms come July.

As far as the matchgoing fans go, as noted in 2019 when the host stadiums were named, there are over 700,000 seats to fill, starting at £5 and including over half-a-million tickets priced at £25 or less. While the latest ballot for tickets closed this week, they will go on general sale in February, with a robust refund policy in place should Covid-19 lead to any postponements, cancellations or change of venue. Fingers crossed that’s not in anyone’s thoughts come the big kick-off at Old Trafford on the first Wednesday of July.

Such are the promising signs so far with ticket sales – as seen at all levels of football this season from football-starved fans following the easing of Covid restrictions – don’t be surprised to see a record crowd that night in M16 for a Women’s Euros fixture (currently standing at

The attendance for the 2013 final, won by Germany in Solna, looks set to be beaten

41,301 for the 2013 final in Solna, Sweden). As for the possibility of a sell-out final, that would trump the European record for a women’s game in any competition, set at Wembley for the 2012 Olympics, when 80,203 saw USA beat Japan.

Anticipated crowds for LSV will be far smaller, of course, but as we’ve seen with United Women since the summer of 2018, the tight nature of this stadium ensures that even from just a few thousand in the stands, there can be plenty of noise.

Russia will play all of their Group C fixtures here – against Switzerland, the Netherlands (hopefully including United’s Jackie Groenen) and Sweden – and Russia could be back for a fourth visit in the quarter-finals, with the team that tops Group C set to face the runners-up from Group D – either France, Italy, Belgium or Iceland.

So while that rules out seeing either of the home nations in Leigh (Northern Ireland being the other), do consider this: only four nations have ever won this competition,

Friday 22 July, 8pm Winner, Group C v Runner-up, Group D (France, Italy, Belgium, Iceland), Quarter-final

and two of them, in Sweden and the Netherlands, will be playing here.

Leigh’s quarter-final on 22 July will come less than three months before the Rugby League World Cup kicks off, at which point LSV will again open its doors to the international stage, concluding a memorable 2022 here in WN7.

“Having two huge sporting tournaments come to the borough in the space of a year shows how much of an attractive proposition Wigan and Leigh is for organisers,” says councillor David Molyneux.

“Wigan Borough has a proven track record of success when it comes to hosting top-class events, and we feel incredibly proud and privileged.

Being a host doesn’t start and end at the stadium – it’s about building a lasting legacy for our residents.”

So whether you’re from Atherton or Amsterdam, Shevington or Saint Petersburg, when you click through the LSV turnstiles next July, you can be certain of a very warm welcome in this corner of Greater Manchester. ⬤

27

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF

MU FOUNDATION

SPREADING EXCITEMENT Toone and Russo chat to pupils in Stretford about Women’s Euro 2022 As you might have just been reading about on the previous pages, UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 is edging closer, and to help drum up the excitement ahead of next summer’s tournament in England, Ella Toone and Alessia Russo – team-mates with both United and the Lionesses – visited Foundation partner school Stretford High, joining in with a girls’ football session as well as taking questions.

Both players will have one eye on next summer with dreams of representing their country on the big stage, but their focus earlier this month was solely on inspiring the next generation. “It’s been great to visit the girls here at Stretford,” said Toone. “I was really impressed with the talent out there, which is why it’s important for us to get involved in sessions like these, to show the girls what can be achieved if they continue to work hard.

“Everywhere you go you can see the women’s game is growing, and if I can play a part in continuing to help that by visiting sessions like today then I’m more than happy to do so.”

Russo was equally as enthusiastic in what is undeniably an exciting time for the women’s game, with a home tournament just around the corner. “The Women’s Euros is so exciting, not just for the country, but for all the local girls like those here

today,” she noted. “Manchester is such a special footballing city and for Old Trafford to be hosting some games, so close to where these girls go to school, is inspirational.”

The participating girls are keen players and were led by the Foundation’s female education development officer, Claire Harrop.

Claire is part of the Foundation’s Girls’ Development programme, which aims to enable young girls to achieve their full potential, both in sport and other industries.

“Representation and visibility is so important to what we do, so for the girls to be able to meet and play with Ella and Alessia really is an invaluable experience for them,”

she explained. “Having a home Euros only adds to the creation of an environment where these girls can think anything is possible.”

One of those taking part, Poppy, echoed that sentiment. “I found it really inspirational,” she said.

“The players spoke to us about their background and how they managed to become professional. To have the chance to play with them was mad!

“It’s so exciting to know that a Women’s Euros match will be taking place so close to where I’m from. To see the women’s game growing is brilliant and hopefully one day it’ll be as big as the men’s game!”

Visit uefa.com/tickets for ticket info

“HAVING A HOME EUROS ONLY ADDS TO THE CREATION OF AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THESE GIRLS CAN THINK ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE” – CLAIRE HARROP, MU FOUNDATION

Ella and Alessia pose with Stretford High School’s female footballers 29

THE VISITORS

It’s been some start for the Gunners under their new boss, with last weekend’s draw at Spurs seeing them drop points for the first time...

ARSENAL Arsenal may have dropped their first WSL points of the season in last weekend’s north London derby against Tottenham, but the dynamic, high-pressing system that has defined the Gunners’ 2021/22 campaign since they began their league campaign with a thrilling 3-2 win over defending champions Chelsea was evident once again.

New head coach Jonas Eidevall has taken the patient, possession-heavy style favoured by Juventus-bound predecessor Joe Montemurro and sprinkled it with added intensity, particularly the voracious way in which the Gunners win the ball back. This Arsenal iteration is the very embodiment of their Swedish coach. “It’s 100 per cent down to the players. They work so hard together and they are a privilege to coach,” says Eidevall.

Arsenal’s progressive 4-3-3 system is underpinned by an energetic midfield three of captain Kim Little, Lia Walti and Frida Maanum, all of whom possess a vast passing range alongside their desire to support attacks.

As well as topping the WSL table and scoring the most goals, the north Londoners have also conceded the fewest. In central defence Lotte Wubben-Moy is set to get an extended run in the side after Leah Williamson picked

30

up a serious hamstring injury last weekend. There will be no loss of experience, though, with Scottish international Jennifer Beattie a supreme line-leader of a back four which went on a run of five consecutive league clean sheets, including a 5-0 demolition of Manchester City, from early September.

Further forward, such is the form of Beth Mead and Katie McCabe on either wing – each have four WSL assists already this term – they’re keeping 2019 FWA Women’s Footballer of the Year Nikita Parris on the bench.

Against Spurs, however, Arsenal also had to show impressive resolve. In a losing position for the first time domestically this term, the Gunners stayed patient and got the injury-time equaliser their fine play deserved, after twice hitting the woodwork. That the goal came from the head of Vivianne Miedema, the brilliant Dutch forward’s 65th WSL goal from just 73 appearances, was indicative of the team spirit within a group of players that never knows when it’s beaten. “We can’t take for granted that we have the resilience to create in a stressful moment,” said Eidevall post-match. “We’re disappointed with the result overall but we value the point and the way we were able to regain control in a difficult moment.”

THE VISITORS

THE MANAGER JONAS EIDEVALL The 38-year-old Swede began his coaching career in the fourth tier of the Swedish men’s league in 2006, aged just 23, before moving to FC Rosengard’s women team in 2012.

As manager there he won back-to-back Damallsvenskan (Swedish women’s league) titles in 2013 and 2014, returning to the club in 2018 after a short spell back in the men’s game as ex-Red Henrik Larsson’s assistant at Helsingborgs in 2016/17. After another league title with Rosengard in 2019, he led them to the Champions League quarter-finals last season.

ONE TO WATCH KIM LITTLE No player has been more vital to their flying start to the season than their captain. Little scored 11 goals in her first 15 appearances of 2021/22, the 31-year-old midfielder displaying all the invention, spatial awareness and eye for goal which yielded 140 Scotland caps.

Little first joined Arsenal from Hibs in 2008, averaging almost a goal a game across a fiveyear spell prior to overseas stints with Seattle Reign and Melbourne City. She returned to London in 2016/17, where the born leader has added a fifth league title to her Gunners haul.

SUMMER SIGNING FRIDA MAANUM Eidevall was quick to namecheck Maanum as someone to add to his Arsenal squad this summer, but all his paymasters could do was laugh. Why? The Gunners had already signed the highly rated 22-year-old. The Norwegian, who joined from Swedish side Linkopings in July, had hitherto featured as a box-to-box midfielder for club and country, but has shone in a slightly deeper role for the Gunners, using her fine passing range to add a new dimension to the Londoners’ game. Her stunning long-range strike against West Ham also served notice of the power in her right foot.

number trail

1987 The year in which Arsenal Ladies were founded. They won their first major honour, the Women’s League Cup, in 1991/92, then the top flight the following season.

In 2002 they turned professional.

1 Arsenal are the only British club to win the UEFA Women’s Champions League, in 2006/07 – a campaign in which they won a Treble, while staying undefeated in all competitions.

31-29-25 Number of goals scored by star striker Vivianne Miedema in each of the last three seasons: 31 in 2018/19; 29 in 2019/20 and 25 last term – all under ex-boss Joe Montemurro.

5-2 Aggregate score in Arsenal’s favour across the four previous meetings between today’s teams, since the first fixture in February 2019 – a 2-1 Gunners win in a League Cup semi-final.

27

FINAL 2021

T i c sn s a n o Adults £20-25, Kids £2.50 5th December Wembley Stadium Connected by ee

21206-VWFAC-TOS-PA-148x210.indd 1

thefa.com/ticketing

20/08/2021 09:21

FANS’ PAGE

GK

GUNNNING FOR GOALS! A (very attack-minded!) five-a-side side of players to have turned out for both Arsenal and United...

GK Siobhan Chamberlain Arsenal: 2014-15 → United: 2018-20 DF/DM Hayley Ladd Arsenal: 2009-12 → United: 2019-present

MF Charlie Devlin Arsenal: 2016-17 → United: 2018-19

AM Tobin Heath United: 2020-21 → Arsenal: 2021-present

MF

FW

FW Lauren James Arsenal: 2017-18 → United: 2018-21

MAD ABOUT

FANS’ GALLERY

TOONE

Our no.7 Ella’s made a brilliant start to 2021/22, with a goal or assist in her first six appearances 3 Sep United 2 Reading 0

TOO-NEY! Two assists

12 Sep Leicester 1 United 3

TOO-NEY! One goal

26 Sep United 1 Chelsea 6

TOO-NEY! One assist

3 Oct Birmingham 0 United 2

FANS’ GALLERY ← Hello to birthday girl Erin Bisson, at LSV for the first time today.

Have a top 13th birthday! ← Wisdom Adike is a very proud fan who loves being a part of the United family.

TOO-NEY! One goal

9 Oct United 2 Man City 2

TOO-NEY! One assist

14 Oct Durham 2 United 2

TOO-NEY! One goal

GET IN TOUCH! Send all your pictures, birthday shout-outs and messages to: MUWomenfamily@manutd.co.uk

33

QUESTION TIME

HALF-TIME QUIZ

There are a dozen posers below – can you hit double figures?

1. True or false: Arsenal were United’s first-ever home opponents in the Women’s Super League.

2. At which stage of the competition did the two teams meet in the 2018/19 Continental Tyres League Cup?

7. True or false: Heath was the first player to move directly between United Women and Arsenal Women.

8. Heath (right) also holds the record for the highest squad number worn by a Red – what was it?

9. Who are the only club United have lost to in a competitive away game since defeat to the Gunners in March?

3. Who scored the only goal in this fixture at Leigh Sports Village last season (above)?

10. Name the only team to have won more WSL titles than Arsenal.

4. Name the London club United Women have faced most often.

5. Alessia Russo scored in back-to-back WSL outings earlier this season (right) – but who was the last Red to score in three successive league games?

6. Against which club did Arsenal forward Tobin Heath score twice during her final United appearance?

11. Visiting striker Vivianne Miedema (above) is an international team-mate of which United player?

12. What was the score in the Reds’ biggest home win of the calendar year 2021 so far?

ANSWERS: 1. True; 2. Semi-finals; 3. Ella Toone; 4. Tottenham Hotspur; 5. Leah Galton; 6. Bristol City; 7. False – it was Lauren James; 8. 77; 9. Brighton and Hove Albion; 10. Chelsea; 11. Jackie Groenen; 12. 4-1, against Tottenham

34

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Dedicated staff deliver educational and community outreach programmes to help young people make positive choices in their lives.

Find out more

mufoundation.org

THE MANCUNIAN WAY.

© 2021 adidas AG

APPEARANCES, GOALS & TABLES FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE TABLE, 2021/22 SEASON

UNITED APPEARANCES AND GOALS, 2021/22 SEASON PLAYER

LEAGUE

FA CUP

LEAGUE CUP

TOTAL

APP GLS APP GLS APP GLS APP GLS

Sophie Baggaley 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 Ona Batlle

7 1 0 0 1 1 8 2

Hannah Blundell 7 0 0 0 1(1) 0 8(1) 0 Vilde Boe Risa

2(1)

Mary Earps

0

0

0

2

0

4(1)

0

7 0 0 0 0 0 7 0

Ivana Ferreira Fuso 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 Leah Galton

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

Jackie Groenen 4(1) 0 0 0 0 0 4(1) 0 Kirsty Hanson 5(2) 1 0 0 1(1) 0 6(3) 1

Team

P

W

D

L

GD

Pts

Martha Harris

0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0

7 6 1 0 21 19

Carrie Jones

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

2 Chelsea

7 6 0 1 17 18

Hayley Ladd

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

3 Brighton

7 5 0 2 7 15

Aoife Mannion 7 0 0 0 2 0 9 0

1 Arsenal

4 Tottenham

7 4 2 1 4 14

Alessia Russo

4(3) 3 0 0 1(1) 0 5(4) 3

5 UNITED

7 3 3 1 1 12

Kirsty Smith

0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0

6 Aston Villa

7 3 1 3 -5 10

Lucy Staniforth 4(3) 1 0 0 2 0 6(3) 1

7 West Ham

7 2 3 2 0 9

Martha Thomas 1(3) 1 0 0 1 0 2(3) 1

8 Reading

7 2 1 4 -4 7

Maria Thorisdottir 6(1) 1 0 0 2 0 8(1) 1

9 Manchester City 7 2 1 4 -5 7

Ella Toone

10 Everton

7 2 1 4 -7 7

Millie Turner

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

11 Birmingham

7 0 1 6 -14 1

Katie Zelem

7 0 0 0 0(1) 0 7(1) 0

12 Leicester

7 0 0 7 -15 0

FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE TOP SCORERS Sam Kerr (Chelsea)

6 (2)

Kim Little (Arsenal)

6 (0)

Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal)

5 (2)

Fran Kirby (Chelsea)

4 (5)

Beth Mead (Arsenal)

4 (4)

Katie McCabe (Arsenal)

3 (4)

Ella Toone (UNITED)

3 (4)

(Assists in brackets)

CONTINENTAL LEAGUE CUP, GROUP B TABLE

Team

P

W

W PEN L PEN

L

GD

Pts

Boe Risa made her second WSL start last Sunday

UNITED ALL-TIME APPS & GOALS

Apps

Goals

Ella Toone

83

36

Millie Turner

77

5

Katie Zelem

78

20

Kirsty Hanson

76

16

Earps recently became the 10th Red to reach CITY and durham ADDED TO BOTH 50 club appearances

1 Man City 3

2 0 0 1 6 6

Amy Turner

67

4

2

1 1 0 0 1 5

Jessica Sigsworth

66

26

Aimee Palmer

15

1

3 Leicester 2

1 0 0 1 -1 3

Leah Galton

65

15

Alessia Russo

14

6 4

3 UNITED

Apps

Goals

4 Everton

2

1 0 0 1 -2 3

Lauren James

56

28

Tobin Heath

11

5 Durham

3

0 0 1 2 -4 1

Kirsty Smith

53

1

Lotta Okvist

10

0

Mary Earps

51

0

Hannah Blundell

9

0

Martha Harris

47

1

Aoife Mannion

9

0

Jackie Groenen

46

0

Ivana Ferreira Fuso

8

2

Hayley Ladd

46

2

Carrie Jones

8

0

Lizzie Arnot

34

9

Emily Ramsey

6

0

Jane Ross

34

7

Martha Thomas

5

1

Ona Batlle

31

2

Vilde Boe Risa

5

0

Mollie Green

29

16

Naomi Hartley

3

0

Siobhan Chamberlain 27

0

Fran Bentley

2

0

W PEN = penalty shoot-out win (bonus point)

OTHER WSL FIXTURES YESTERDAY Man City v Aston Villa (11.30am) TODAY Chelsea v Birmingham City (2pm) Leicester City v Everton (2pm)

Alex Greenwood

27

5

Sophie Baggaley

2

0

West Ham v Tottenham (3pm)

Lucy Staniforth

27

2

Tara Bourne

1

0

Abbie McManus

25

2

Rebecca May

1

0

Right: There’s a London derby at Victoria Road, Dagenham as the Hammers host Tottenham

Charlie Devlin

20

6

Aurora Mikalsen

1

0

Christen Press

17

4

Maria Thorisdottir

17

1

Reading v Brighton (2pm)

(Names in italics have left the club)

37

SEASON STATISTICS

LINE-UP

ATTENDANCE

SCORE

OPPOSITION

DATE

COMPETITION

FIXTURES & LINE-UPS, 2021/22 AUGUST SEPTEMBER

WSL

Fri 3

Reading (H) 7.45pm 2-0 2,111 Earps

Blundell Mannion Thorisdottir Batlle 1

Boe Risa

WSL

Sun 12

Leicester (A) 2pm

3-1

Blundell Mannion Turner

Zelem

Groenen

WSL

Sun 26

Chelsea (H) 12.30pm

1-6 2,197 Earps

Groenen

WSL

Sun 3

Birmingham (A) 6.45pm 2-0

650

WSL

Sat 9

Man City (H) 1.30pm

2-2

3,797

CC

Thu 14

Durham (A) 7pm

2-2* 1,468

WSL

Sun 7

Tottenham (A) 12.15pm 1-1 1,308 Earps

Batlle

Mannion Thorisdottir Blundell Zelem

WSL

Sun 14

Everton (A) 12.30pm

1-1

840

Earps

Batlle

Mannion

CC

Wed 17

Man City (H) 7pm

2-1

TBC

Baggaley Batlle 1 Mannion Thorisdottir Smith

WSL

Sun 21

Arsenal (H) 12.15pm

CC

Sun 5

Leicester (H) 12pm

WSL

Sun 12

Brighton (A) 12.30pm

CC

Wed 15

Everton (A) 7pm

WSL

Sun 19

Aston Villa (H) 12pm

WSL

Sun 9

West Ham (A) 3pm

WSL

Sat 15

Birmingham (H) 12pm

4,473

Earps

Batlle

Zelem

Blundell Mannion

Thorisdottir Batlle

Zelem

Earps

Batlle

Mannion

Thorisdottir

Blundell

Zelem Groenen

Earps

Blundell

Mannion

Thorisdottir

Batlle

Zelem

Groenen

Mannion

Thorisdottir

Blundell

Boe Risa

Ladd

OCTOBER

N OVE MBE R

Baggaley Harris

DE CEMBER

JANUARY

CC 19/20 Quarter-finals WSL

Sun 23

Tottenham (H) 12pm

FA

Sun 30

Fourth round

FEBRUARY

CC 2/3

Semi-final

WSL

Sun 6

Arsenal (A) 3pm

WSL

Sun 13

Man City (A) 2pm

FA

Sun 27

Fifth round

WSL

Sat 5

Leicester (H) 12pm

CC

5/6

Final

WSL

Sun 13

Reading (A) 2pm

FA

Sun 20

Quarter-finals

WSL

Sun 27

Everton (H) 12pm

M ARCH

A PRIL

WSL

Sun 3

Brighton (H) 12pm

FA

Sun 17

Semi-finals

WSL

Sun 24

Aston Villa (A) 6pm

WSL

Sun 1

West Ham (H) 12pm

WSL

Sun 8

Chelsea (A) 12.30pm

FA

Sat 14

Final

MAY

38

Thorisdottir

Blundell

Ladd

Zelem

Boe Risa

Boe Risa

Jones

SEASON STATISTICS Facebook: manutdwomen

Match programme contact: MUWomenfamily@manutd.co.uk For ticket information visit: ManUtd.com/Tickets

Hanson 1 Staniforth

Galton

YouTube: /ManUtd

Twitter: @manutdwomen

Toone

Thomas

Toone 1

Hanson Staniforth

Galton

Hanson Staniforth

Galton

Toone

Instagram: @manutdwomen

SUBS USED

FOLLOW THE REDS ▶

Groenen

Thorisdottir 1

Russo

–

–

Russo

–

–

Jones

–

–

Thomas 1

Russo 1

Ladd

Toone 1

Hanson

Russo 1

Staniforth 1

Russo

Staniforth

Hanson

Toone

Staniforth Hanson

Galton 1

Galton

Russo

Fuso 1

Toone

Galton

Russo 1 Staniforth

Thomas

Thomas

Hanson

KEY:

Staniforth Hanson

Thomas

WSL - Women’s Super League * won on penalties

Hanson

First sub

Russo

Toone 1

Staniforth

Galton

CC - FA Continental League Cup Second sub

Jones

Third sub

–

–

Jones

Toone 1 Russo Galton Fuso 1

Boe Risa Ladd

Galton

–

–

–

–

FA - Women’s FA Cup

Blundell

Scorers Bold

Fifth sub

– – – –

–

Toone

Fourth sub

–

–

Zelem

Penalty •

Yellow/red card

(United score listed first. All fixtures subject to change – visit ManUtd.com/fixtures for the latest fixtures information)

39

Martha Harris Maria Thorisdottir Aoife Mannion Hannah Blundell Ella Toone Vilde Boe Risa Martha Thomas Katie Zelem Leah Galton Hayley Ladd Ivana Ferreira Fuso Jackie Groenen Ona Batlle Kirsty Hanson Kirsty Smith Millie Turner Alessia Russo Carrie Jones Mary Earps (GK) Sophie Baggaley (GK) Lucy Staniforth

2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 17 18 20 21 23 24 27 32 37

1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 18 19 20 21 22 23 77

Manuela Zinsberger (GK) Lotte Wubben-Moy Anna Patten Jennifer Beattie Leah Williamson Steph Catley Jordan Nobbs Beth Mead Kim Little Vivianne Miedema Frida Maanum Lia Walti Nikita Parris Katie McCabe Noelle Maritz Lydia Williams (GK) Caitlin Foord Simone Boye Sorensen Malin Gut Viktoria Schnaderbeck Mana Iwabuchi Tobin Heath

MATCH OFFICIALS Referee Emily Heaslip ⬤ Assistants Lucy-Anne Briggs, Abby Dearden Fourth official Abigail Byrne

ARSENAL WOMEN

MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN

#allredallequal