Manchester United Women v Manchester City Women match programme WSL 09.10.21

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 2021/22 SEASON • VOLUME 04 ISSUE 03

INSIDE: ELLA TOONE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

BARCLAYS FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE SATURDAY 9 OCTOBER 2021 • KICK-OFF 1.30 PM

£1.50

For Devils everywhere.

Follow @KohlerUnited on

28364-01_ManUTD_Print_Ads-K&B-InsideUnited_210x297 2.indd 1

or visit KohlerUnited.com

9/9/21 4:47 PM

WHAT’S INSIDE

COME ON YOU REDS! It’s a third home matchday of the season for United – and what an occasion it promises to be as City head to Leigh for the seventh Manchester derby in the women’s game. After the disappointment of our last match here, against Chelsea, United got firmly back on track in the WSL last weekend, with our cover showing Ella Toone celebrating her goal at St Andrew’s to round off a 2-0 win. Our lethal no.7 is the focus of today’s interview (p22), but before that, you can hear from the boss (p4) and relive all the drama from the six derbies to date (p12).

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 NEWS ROUND-UP 10 match action round-up 12 THE FIRST SIX DERBIES

Ed Woodward, Richard Arnold, Michael Edelson, Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill CBE Secretary Rebecca Britain Honorary president Martin Edwards MATCH PROGRAMME TEAM Editor Charlie Ghagan

19 captain’s column 22 Ella toone interview

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

28 the opposition 34 QUIZ

John Peters, Matt Peters, Getty, Alamy Thanks to Haylee Howe, John Shiel & Chris Leuty/ MuPrint.com.

37 player & team statistics

© Manchester United 2021

03

HEAD COACH’S COLUMN

MARC SKINNER The boss has been pleased with preparations for his first derby, and expects to see absolute focus and a proactive attitude from his Reds this afternoon...

Hello and welcome back to Leigh Sports Village for the Manchester derby. The last time we played here, it certainly wasn’t the performance we had hoped and prepared for. The scoreline didn’t accurately reflect the match, but we know we made errors we usually wouldn’t and we are not going to get carried away or too down on ourselves for that one result.

I learn more about us in defeat than I will ever learn about us in victory. That’s what happened after Chelsea. I learned lots about our psyche, lots about how far this team can go and how we can’t – and won’t – put ceilings on what we want to achieve.

We wanted to see a reaction against Birmingham too, and we did; it was a very professional performance.

We were assertive, aggressive and patient – three key things we take into every match, as we will today.

There were a number of very good performances and I was particularly impressed with Alessia Russo.

She’s had a difficult time with injury but she’s finding her feet again now and we saw just how good she is and can be. There were moments of her holding the ball up, sharpness, driving into spaces. The end product will naturally come but honestly, in training if she gets it

04

right, she hits it and the goalkeeper doesn’t move!

She’s still young but incredibly talented; I’m excited she’s back with us, feeling sharp and, looking to the future, she could be a very consistent, top no.9 for us.

Something we are also working on a lot as a group and individually is becoming ‘mentality monsters’.

What I mean by that is using our psychology to our advantage, being as proactive as we can be rather than reactive to anything outside of our control, managing emotions and pressure and being brave in big moments. Today is a big moment, a big occasion.

It’s a game that has high emotion and high energy where nobody wants to make a mistake.

City come here probably not where they would like to be, but that’s not something that comes into our thoughts. I only focus on putting us in the best position to try and win the game, regardless of if City are flying high or sitting rock-bottom. We’ll have to defend, stay focused, absorb pressure, contain pressure and exert pressure at the right moments.

Enjoy the match and the occasion – it’s great that you’re here with us every step of the way.

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.

“AGAINST BIRMINGHAM WE WERE ASSERTIVE, AGGRESSIVE AND PATIENT – THREE KEY THINGS WE TAKE INTO EVERY MATCH, AS WE WILL TODAY” 05

BIG PICTURE

20 06

Ham United

B R U M -T H I N G S P E C I A L !

After Leicester City at the King Power, the big-stadium away days in the Midlands continued for Marc Skinner’s Reds as his team – plus approximately 150 dedicated United fans – made the journey south last Sunday. As you probably heard if you watched the live coverage on Sky Sports, those 150 made one hell of a noise, with United Women supporters’ club secretary Marc Henry (back row, fifth from left), later telling us: “Evening kick-offs add that little bit extra to the enthusiasm, and there was a definite buzz in the United end.” That was no doubt helped by a well-taken goal in either half, as a dominant display lifted us up to fourth spot in the WSL. While our next away outing – Thursday night’s Conti Cup tie in Durham – might have a slightly different feel to our previous two away days, you can be certain there will be vocal Reds in the stands at Maiden Castle, hopefully cheering us on to victory against the only side to beat us in our Championship-winning campaign of 2018/19.

07 21

Manche

GET YOUR YOU ON

We want you to be on top of your game. If you’re grooming or styling, every product we make has been created just for you - whether it’s with the ball at your feet or just walking down the street. Get your game face on... www.remington.co.uk/manutd

LATEST STORIES

MUW NEWS

’ZINE OUTSIDE THE GROUND!

VOLUNTEER FOR EURO 2022

Apply now, with LSV and Old Trafford among host venues UEFA and The FA have announced that fans can now apply for the chance to become one of thousands of volunteers supporting the Women’s Euros, with Leigh Sports Village and Old Trafford among the host venues.

The tournament takes place in England from 6-31 July next year. Central to the fan experience will be the inspirational volunteers helping to run the show, with a total workforce of over 2,000 volunteers across the country performing roles in each

of the 10 host venues.

Roles include ‘spectator services’, which involves being at the forefront on an event day, ensuring spectators have the best possible matchday experience, and ‘stadium support’, where volunteers assist delivery and logistics teams. There is also the opportunity to be a ‘host city volunteer’, who act as ambassadors for each city, including Manchester, creating a

Three group games plus one quarter-final are to be played here in Leigh next July, while Old Trafford (above) will host the opening game, involving England, on 6 July

welcoming atmosphere at fan zones and transport hubs, as well as celebrating the local areas for visiting fans.

Susan Couper, Senior Recruitment and Volunteer Manager at The FA said: “It’s an amazing opportunity to be a part of what’s set to be the biggest women’s European sport event in history. It gives you the chance to see the event from a completely different perspective while enhancing the major event experience.”

To apply for a volunteer role, as well as for tickets and tournament news, visit TheFA.com/WEURO2022.

Applications for all roles close on 1 November.

All applicants are required to be over 18 and able to travel to selected venues through their own means.

We’re one big family here at United Women, and as you might have noticed outside the stadium on matchdays, some Reds have started up an independent fanzine.

Named Barmy Article, it has all the opinion pieces, alternative features (‘Red pets’, anyone?) and fan interviews you’d expect from a football ’zine, and its editor Andy Slater has been delighted with the feedback he’s received from the first two issues, with new issues released quarterly (November, February, May and August).

“In men’s football, fanzines can be for adults only, but as with most things United fans have brought to the women’s game, I’m very conscious of it being family friendly content,” says Andy, who is keen to include any fan contributions. So if you see Andy, or fellow contributor Zoe, you can pick up a copy for £1.50, or ask to get involved yourself.

For back issues, head to barmyarticle.bigcartel.com.

09

MATCH ROUND-UP

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

One defeat, one win in Blues battles Sun 26 Sep, Leigh Sports Village, Att 2,197 UNITED 1 (Russo 48) CHELSEA 6 (Kirby 2, Harder 24, Kerr 41, 51, Spence 87, Fleming 90’+2) United suffered a first defeat of the season at home to Chelsea, who demonstrated exactly why they’re once again among the favourites to secure another championship crown with a 6-1 victory in Leigh.

The Blues have won the WSL in each of the last two seasons, and their class was evident as they headed home with the points. Fran Kirby opened the scoring after only two minutes with her 50th WSL goal, before two-time UEFA Women’s Player of the Year Pernille Harder doubled the lead with a delicate finish after a surging run and Sam Kerr swept home the third.

Blundell – facing her old United rallied early in the club – goes past Kerr second half, with Alessia Russo coming off the bench at the break and almost immediately reducing the deficit with a deflected effort for her first goal of the season.

But the visitors responded as Kerr grabbed her second of the day from close range to restore their three-goal lead. The Reds kept battling, and created several chances but couldn’t hit the target. A brilliant run from Leah Galton ended in a low cross to Hanson but our no.18 fired wide from inside the Blues area.

Galton had a header blocked before Russo smashed the ball off the crossbar with a powerful strike.

Skinner’s team did all they could to cut Chelsea’s advantage but instead it was the visitors who found a fifth and sixth late on through two substitutes, Drew Spence and Jessie Fleming, on a disappointing day.

10

Sunday 3 Oct, St Andrew’s; Att: TBC BIRMINGHAM CITY 0 UNITED 2 (Galton 27, Toone 80) United made a swift return to winning ways as Marc Skinner oversaw a 2-0 win against his former club Birmingham City at St Andrew’s last Sunday.

The Reds went into this one against a Birmingham side who had lost each of their opening three WSL fixtures, as well as all three previous meetings between the clubs.

United dominated first-half proceedings, controlling possession, creating several chances and receiving little threat back from the hosts.

The search for an opening goal ended thanks to an incisive run from left-back Hannah Blundell.

Hanson uses The summer signing made her strength the goal with a fantastic first touch that took her forward, a fine second that allowed her to cut across her opposite number and a third to pull it back for Leah Galton, who duly finished the move off. Birmingham, who had earlier gone close when Lucy Quinn shot wide, protested that the ball had gone out of play, but the goal stood as Galton broke her duck for 2021/22 with her first strike since January.

Galton almost added another after the break when flashing an effort inches past the far post, while Jackie Groenen fired narrowly wide. Thankfully, the chances kept coming. Good combination play from Galton and Blundell left the latter with a great chance to poke it home, but the full-back toed it over the crossbar when well placed.

With the clock ticking down at St Andrew’s, Ella Toone found a deserved goal after 80 minutes, just moments after striking the post.

Constant pressure left Birmingham struggling to cope and Katie Zelem fed Blundell through on the right with precision.

Galton gets a lift after scoring Blundell controlled the defence-splitting pass well and pulled it back for Toone, who opened her body up to finish past Emily Ramsey – on loan from United – with her left foot. More chances came and went for the visiting Reds but the hard work had already been done.

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

START OF THE WOMEN’S RIVALRY

SOME WINS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS Whatever the competition and no matter what’s at stake, few things in football matter as much as victory on derby day – and today’s fixture has already seen plenty of drama across its six cross-city showdowns...

Words: Harry Robinson

W

hile the Manchester derby dates all the way back to 1891 in the men’s game, it’s been just over two years since the Reds and Blues first locked horns in competitive women’s football – but incredibly today will be the seventh time the teams have met, with the local fixture already featuring stunning goals, refereeing controversy and penalty shoot-out drama.

Former City manager Nick Cushing summed it up best after he’d watched his side beat United 3-2 in a tense FA Cup encounter back in January 2020. “No structure... end-to-end... teams going for it,” he smiled. “Maybe that’s [just] what derbies are like; maybe there’s so much emotion and passion in a

12

Manchester derby that it’s always going to be like that.”

Connections between these two teams are many, whether it’s players crossing the divide or simply friendships extending across the city, but on the pitch a strong rivalry has been formed, its intensity growing with each meeting.

RECORD-BREAKING START For the very first encounter, we go back to September 2019, and a day that 31,213 fans – a then WSL record – were packed into the Etihad Stadium, with a huge away contingent of noisy Reds in full voice behind the goal. United travelled to east Manchester off the back of promotion from the Championship.

Having only lost once in 20 matches

START OF THE WOMEN’S RIVALRY in the league in 2018/19, conceding a mere seven goals and scoring only a couple fewer than a century, they arrived in M11 with nothing to fear from the Blues, while acknowledging it was going to be a big step up from all our previous league fixtures.

After all, Cushing’s City had won both domestic cups in 2018/19, while finishing second in the WSL. The 2019 Women’s World Cup, which saw England finished fourth – the Lionesses’s semi-final loss to USA being watched by a peak TV audience of 11.7m viewers on the BBC – only heightened interest in the WSL’s early-autumn kick-off, with this curtain-raiser taking place on 7 September, a day before 24,564 fans watched Emma Hayes’s Chelsea take on Spurs at Stamford Bridge.

Expectations were high at the Etihad, and it was a game played with intensity. Caroline Weir scored the only goal of the game on 48

The Reds savour a maiden win against City, in the 2019/20 Continental League Cup

minutes, the City midfielder striking across the ball with venom from 25 yards out and watching it power into the top-right corner of the net. Mary Earps, making her United debut, had no chance in goal, but she and her United team-mates proved their quality in front of the bumper crowd, particularly in the first half. Another

United debutant, Jackie Groenen, hit the post late on but it wasn’t to be for Casey Stoney’s side, who left the Etihad with no points but increased belief for the rest of the WSL season.

SHOWING WE BELONG Just six weeks after that first meeting came a second – this time here at ▶

IN SEPTEMBER 2019, UNITED ARRIVED IN M11 WITH NOTHING TO FEAR FROM THE BLUES, WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING IT WAS GOING TO BE A BIG STEP UP FROM ALL OUR PREVIOUS LEAGUE FIXTURES

13

THE MANCUNIAN WAY.

© 2021 adidas AG

START OF THE WOMEN’S RIVALRY Leigh, where the vast majority of the 4,042 fans went home happy following a first derby win for the Reds, in the Continental League Cup. “You belong at this level, you’ve got to start believing it,” was Stoney’s pre-match message to her players.

After Katie Zelem and Jess Sigsworth had scored in a 2-0 win, on a day when Keira Walsh was red-carded for City, Stoney asked her players: “Do you believe it now?”

Two hard-fought derby matches in successive months had whet the appetite for neutrals as much as fans of either side, and so when the FA Cup draw brought the teams together once again that season, excitement abounded for another tasty 90 minutes at Leigh. One of only two all-WSL ties of the fourth round, it was gripping viewing, leading to City boss Cushing’s admission that such derbies have “no structure”. A double from Ellen White – one in each half – had given the visitors a comfortable lead, but the arrival of Lauren James off the bench on the hour mark turned the game in our favour. The teenager first won a corner for the Reds, from which the ball found its way into the back of the net, only for the referee to deem the goalkeeper had been fouled. A few minutes later, James emphatically dragged United back into contention with a left-footed strike into the bottom-right corner.

It should have been level soon after when Abbie McManus bundled the ball over the line from a free-kick. Goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck dived to claw the ball back and United were left ruing the absence of goal-line technology – a point Stoney forcefully made post-match.

To make matters worse, Jill Scott’s outside-of-the-box effort beat Earps to restore City’s two-goal lead, making Lauren Hemp’s late own goal futile for United in a 3-2 defeat.

Cushing and Stoney went head-to-head three times in just five months in 2019/20

Groenen goes up against three Blues in the FA Cup in January last year

Even without fans, there was a lot of noise here in Leigh when Hanson made it 2-2 in November 2020!

“YOU BELONG AT THIS LEVEL, YOU’VE GOT TO START BELIEVING IT,” WAS STONEY’S PRE-MATCH MESSAGE IN 2019. AFTER A 2-0 WIN, SHE ASKED HER PLAYERS: “DO YOU BELIEVE IT NOW?” 'THIS PERFORMANCE WAS FOR OUR FANS' Unfortunately, the 2019/20 season was curtailed before the second WSL derby could be played, making the first meeting of 2020/21 even more significant. As with all senior football last season, the absence of fans dampened the occasion but the quality and excitement on the pitch proved a perfect opener to Women’s Football Weekend in November 2020, with Leigh once again the venue.

Much like the FA Cup game 10 months earlier, City went two goals

ahead, this time through Chloe Kelly and Laura Coombs. “I take full responsibility for the first half,” Stoney said afterwards. “I think I got the press wrong.” Our former head coach certainly showed the nous to change things at half-time, though – the second half was so distinctly different to the first that the game-of-two-halves cliché has rarely been truer. United’s Tobin Heath led the charge with a furiously struck drive from just inside the box, flying into the top-left corner. With 16 minutes remaining, substitute Kirsty ▶

15

DERBIES to DATE

The Reds battle for a way back into the game when the teams last met eight months ago

WHILE A LONG INJURY LIST DIDN’T HELP THE REDS’ CHANCES IN FEBRUARY, CITY’S CONFIDENCE THAT DAY WAS SUMMED UP BY WEIR’S LATE GOAL Hanson scored the equaliser and were it not for a clearance off the line to deny a Lucy Staniforth header, United would have completed a stunning comeback in the last minute. “The second half performance was for our fans; we know how much it means to them,” said Stoney of those watching on TV, in a season when all but one of our 22 WSL fixtures were played behind closed doors. And with five wins and two draws from seven games, we were sitting pretty at the top of the league heading into December.

LOCAL PRIDE IN CONTI CUP Just five days after that dramatic draw, the two sides met in the Continental League Cup group stages, once again here in Leigh for the fourth successive derby. United needed a win to progress, City only a point. A goalless draw followed without any of the drama that had come the previous weekend. It meant City had enough to qualify as group

16

winners, while we took one point too, but even claiming a bonus point through winning the ensuing shoot-out wouldn’t be enough to take us through. Nevertheless, local pride was still at stake, and Emily Ramsey – making a rare start in goal – enjoyed herself as she denied Coombs (below), before ex-Red Alex Greenwood hit the woodwork, as United won 4-3 from the spot.

LEAPFROGGED IN THE LEAGUE Into 2021, and derby meeting no.6 at a cold Academy Stadium in February. A painful loss at Reading the previous week had seen us lose ground at the top of the WSL, and another loss here would see us slip down to third place after 15 WSL matchdays.

City’s Caroline Weir stole the show in the 84th minute with a delicately chipped goal from the edge of the box – one which City team-mate

7 Sep 2019, WSL, att 31,213 City 1 United 0 (Etihad Stadium) (Weir 48) 20 Oct 2019, League Cup, att 4,042 United 2 City 0 (Leigh SV) (Zelem 7, Sigsworth 55) 25 Jan 2020, FA Cup, att 1,948 United 2 City 3 (Leigh SV) (James 69, Hemp (og) 88; White 30, 56, Scott 76) 14 Nov 2020, WSL, att 0 United 2 City 2 (Leigh SV) (Heath 54, Hanson 74; Kelly 8, Coombs 45+1) 19 Nov 2020, League Cup, att 0 United 0 City 0 (4-3 on pens) (Leigh SV) 12 Feb 2021, WSL, att 0 City 3 United 0 (Academy Stadium) (Bronze 23, Hemp 71, Weir 84)

Lucy Bronze claimed was “Eric Cantona-esque”. It was a wonderful piece of skill to wrap up a 3-0 win for from the Blues, who leapfrogged United in the table.

While a long injury list didn’t help the Reds’ chances of success that day, City were excellent, their confidence summed up by Weir’s stunning late goal. And now for derby number seven, where a home win would lay down a real marker for the Reds’ WSL ambitions in 2021/22. Hold on tight, because as we’ve seen, anything could happen in the next 90 minutes. ⬤

CAPTAIN’S COLUMN

KATIE ZELEM With three wins from four, it’s been a promising start, but we’ll keep striving to raise standards to match the very best teams, which includes today’s visitors...

Let’s tackle this one first up: nobody likes to lose 6-1, but whether you lose 2-1, 1-0 or 6-1, at the end of the day you’ve still got no points.

That’s an important thing we needed to remember after the Chelsea game. They are a world-class team and actually we had chances. Apart from our mistakes, we probably had the better opportunities.

We heard you all the way through the match too, cheering the whole time. We know that’s really hard to do at 6-1 down but your support never waivers – you were shouting and singing your hearts out at the end of the game and we can’t tell you how much that means.

We want to be as clinical as Chelsea were against us and we’re building that mentality into our game. Signing league winners, like Hannah Blundell, has been really important for us. Players who have won the league, who have got Champions League experience, that’s where we’re heading, so it’s good to bring players in who know what it takes, can raise the standards and maybe just make people around them more aware about what needs to be done if you do want to reach that next step.

Hannah is probably someone who goes slightly under the radar out of our newer signings. She has been

superb all the way through pre-season and into the first few matches. She’s a really attack-minded full-back who loves getting up and down the flanks – and she Hannah claims her was doing that like there was first of two assists no tomorrow last Sunday! at Birmingham Our overall performance against Birmingham was a good one. We definitely could have scored more, but it was good to bounce back and keep a clean sheet too.

Now we welcome City for another big game here at Leigh. Some might say this is a good time to play them, but to be honest, is there ever a ‘good time’ to play the likes of City, Arsenal and Chelsea? They’re really strong teams with incredibly strong squads. But as a team, as a squad – staff and players included – we are only focused on working towards our goals as a collective. Today, that’s getting three points.

Enjoy the match.

19

FE

NDER

5

AOIFE MANNION Born: 24/09/1995 Nationality: English Trivia: Helped Reds keep a clean sheet on her debut in recent 2-0 win v Reading.

17

ONA BATLLE Born: 10/06/1999 Nationality: Spanish Trivia: Opened her United scoring account with recent long-range effort v Reading.

21

MILLIE TURNER Born: 07/07/1996 Nationality: English Trivia: Picked up an injury during our victory at Leicester – get well soon!

AL

FE

NDER

2

NDER

FE

MARY EARPS Born: 07/03/1993 Nationality: English Trivia: Made her debut versus Manchester City in September 2019 and hasn’t missed a league game since.

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

NDER

FE

DE DE Ham United

27

NDER

FE FE

NDER

DE 20

FE

K EE PE

AL

GO

NDER

20

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

DE

6

HANNAH BLUNDELL Born: 25/05/1994 Nationality: English Trivia: One of four outfield players not to have missed a minute so far this season.

DE

3

MARIA THORISDOTTIR Born: 05/06/1993 Nationality: Norwegian Trivia: Just won her 50th Norway cap, after scoring her first United goal in September.

DE

32

SOPHIE BAGGALEY Born: 29/11/1996 Nationality: English Trivia: Named WSL Players’ Player of the Year in ’18/19 while at Bristol City.

DE

R

R

GO

MEET THE SQUAD ▶

K EE PE

THE PLAYERS: 2021/22 SEASON

37

LUCY STANIFORTH Born: 02/10/1992 Nationality: English Trivia: Had made 146 WSL appearances for six clubs ahead of 2021/22.

9

MARTHA THOMAS Born: 31/05/1996 National team: Scotland Trivia: Came off bench to wrap up victory v Leicester with her first Reds goal.

13

IVANA FERREIRA FUSO Born: 12/03/2001 Nationality: Brazilian Trivia: Ivana got married in July, and will play under the surname Ferreira Fuso.

23

ALESSIA RUSSO Born: 08/02/1999 Nationality: English Trivia: Continued return from long injury absence with recent goal v Chelsea.

DF

IE L D ER

14

JACKIE GROENEN Born: 17/12/1994 Nationality: Dutch Trivia: On target for her country in September with long-range hit v Iceland.

IE L D ER

DF IE L D ER

DF ARD

RW ARD

RW

RW

ARD

FO FO

ARD

10

KATIE ZELEM Born: 20/01/1996 Nationality: English Trivia: Behind only Toone and Turner on our all-time appearances list.

ARD

IE L D ER

DF IE L D ER

DF RW

ARD

MI

RW

RW

DF

IE L D ER

18

KIRSTY HANSON Born: 17/04/1998 National team: Scotland Trivia: Got United’s first competitive goal of 2021/22 with composed finish v Reading.

FO

11

LEAH GALTON Born: 24/05/1994 Nationality: English Trivia: Scored her first goal of the season in our 2-0 victory away to Birmingham City.

FO

7

ELLA TOONE Born: 02/09/1999 Nationality: English Trivia: Started 2021/22 with two goals and three assists across our opening four matches.

FO

24

CARRIE JONES Born: 04/09/2003 Nationality: Welsh Trivia: Played twice for the Wales senior side before making her United debut in March 2021.

MI

FO

t

MI

d nt g.

12

HAYLEY LADD Born: 06/10/1996 National team: Wales Trivia: Our Player of the Year in 2019/20, featuring in all 21 games across all competitions.

MI

t g.

MI

f r

8

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

MI

t ce.

THE PLAYERS: 2021/22 SEASON

21

Manche

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

#7 ELLA TOONE

22 07

Manchester United Women v Brighton Hove

ELLA TOONE

With two goals and three assists already this season, our no.7’s in the form of her life. Ahead of derby day, she tells us about an “amazing” 2021 that’s taken her to Tokyo, her two “key” years at City, and how her role has evolved under Marc Skinner...

Interview: Harry Robinson

You come into today’s game off the back of a good win against Birmingham, which proved the perfect response to the Chelsea defeat the previous week...

I thought it was a really positive response and a really professional performance. We wanted to bounce back from the loss against Chelsea, and we got three points, which was the main thing. We’re happy as a group that we’ve been able to show our character and bounce back.

What was the impact of that loss to Chelsea?

How did the group respond in training, and what was Marc’s message to all of you?

I think it was about not dwelling too much; not being too disappointed or carrying that on to our next performance.

It was a real learning curve and I think it was a blessing in disguise for us. We’re glad that it happened so early on in the season, so that we could learn from it. I think we did that; against Birmingham we showed that we’ve learnt from that performance and grown on it.

You’ve been a key player for Marc Skinner since he’s come in, and in a slightly different role.

How are you enjoying working with him?

I’m really enjoying working alongside Marc. He really believes in me, and he just wants me to enjoy playing football. He wants me to get on the ball, drive with the

The boss’s advice at St Andrew’s helped Ella retain her focus, with our no.7 playing a key role in the victory

ball, get in the pockets of space, link with other players – that’s what I love doing. He’s letting me play with a lot of freedom and it’s obviously working, because I’m contributing with goals and assists. Hopefully I can keep doing that for the rest of the season.

At half-time against Birmingham, Marc was chatting to you as you headed towards the dressing rooms – is he giving you a lot of little bits of advice?

He was actually resetting my brain. I struggle dealing with my emotions sometimes and he knows that’s a big working point for me and he’s trying to help me to do that. He wanted to reset my brain before I came out in the second half, and I think it really helped me. In the second half, I played a lot better. He understands me and how I work and he’s really trying to help me improve every aspect of my game.

How would you describe the role he’s given you? You’ve been compared to Thomas Muller and Bruno Fernandes, you’ve been described as a ‘nine-and-a-half’ by the boss – what do you see as your responsibility?

I don’t know what you call it! I’m just happy to be on the pitch, no matter where I’m playing. Marc trusts me to play in different positions, and I just try and go out and do the best that I can and help the team. But I think wherever I’m playing, my job is always the same and that’s to get in the spaces, find the spaces on the pitch, drive with the ball, find players and contribute with goals and assists, no matter what position I’m playing. ⊲

“MARC WANTS ME TO GET ON THE BALL, DRIVE WITH THE BALL, GET IN POCKETS OF SPACE, LINK WITH OTHER PLAYERS... IT’S WHAT I LOVE DOING” 23

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Back out on the training ground last month after returning to the Reds, where Aimee continues to learn from FACTFILE: her more experienced team-mates

Toone takes aim against Birmingham six days ago, on a day when she found the target for a club-record 34th time as a United player

Full name Ella Ann Toone Date of birth 2 September 1999 your England debut, went to the Olympics... and Place of birth Tyldesley, Greater Manchester now you’re pictured on the outside of Old Trafford Position Forward alongside Ronaldo, and you made your first England Youth career start recently. You must be flying at the moment?

2007-13 Manchester United Yeah, it’s been amazing. I’ve achieved so many things 2013-16 Blackburn Rovers in the past year and they’ve been dreams come true Senior career for me. I’ve got to keep working hard because there’s 2015–17 Blackburn Rovers, 32 apps, 26 goals still a lot of work to be done. Hopefully I’ll achieve 2016–18 Manchester City, 9 apps, 0 goals even more things. It was an amazing year for me 2018– Manchester United, 78 apps, 34 goals personally, and for my family too.

Senior international career England: 4 caps, 2 goals; Not many Manchester United players have represented Great Britain: 1 cap, 0 goals their country at the Olympics, and the experience of –03 Polegate 2010–2013 Chelsea Previous Tokyo must have been pretty unique as well? clubs 200 It was really special. It was a dream come true going Is there anyone you model your game on?

I think I take inspiration from loads of different players. to the Olympics and representing Team GB. For me It’s obviously really good to watch Bruno Fernandes. it was an amazing experience, something that I’ve I think we play in similar positions and we play quite been able to bring back to United. I’ve had that little similar styles; we want to find passes, find spaces. taste of international football now, going to the Obviously I’ve always watched Cristiano Ronaldo as well.

Olympics, and I obviously want to keep working I think he’s unbelievable in his work rate and skill and I hard and achieve that again. try to take that into my game. So there’s a lot of different players I watch, and I try and take little bits into my game.

Your family were there for your first England start, which isn’t something everyone has been able to It’s not too surprising that you’ve started the season have over the last 18 months. How was that? so well considering the few months of build-up before It was special, yeah. My family have really missed coming it – you ended last season as our top scorer, made to games. My dad has always come to every home and

24

ELLA TOONE

Ella’s Olympic experience has only increased her determination to add to her international caps

If you’ve been to Old Trafford lately, you might have noticed Ella on the East Stand (bottom left)!

“THERE’S A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLAYERS I WATCH, AND I TRY AND TAKE BITS INTO MY GAME... IT’S REALLY GOOD TO WATCH BRUNO FERNANDES – I THINK WE PLAY QUITE SIMILAR STYLES; WE WANT TO FIND PASSES, FIND SPACES” away game, whether that’s here or abroad, so he was there. I don’t think he’ll ever miss a football match again after the year we’ve had! Obviously to play for England and to start for England is special but to have your family in the crowd is something you can’t explain, so we’re all really glad that we can have family and friends back.

Turning to today’s game, you’re one of a number of players to have played for both Manchester clubs.

You must have had a great time there from 2016-18, being in such a professional environment at that age?

I think that was a key moment in my career. When

I first went to City, that was the first time I’d become a professional. I was in every day with some of the best people, and I got to train every day alongside some of the best players. For me, in my career, that was perfect, and I learnt so much from that, so I’ll always be grateful for what Manchester City did for me as a club, because they helped kickstart my professional career.

You spent two years there, then returned to United, and it’s been quite the journey since. Now you and Cristiano Ronaldo are the two no.7s at Manchester United. That’s pretty amazing... ⊲ Manchester United Women v Chelsea Women 25 15

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 FA Women’s Super League. And it’s still all to play for.

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.

And it’s stilltoallthe to game play for. all love, first as title sponsor of the Premier League, and now the Barclays FA Barclays.com/20years Women’s Super League.toAnd to play for.

Visit seeit’s thestill fullallstory Visit Barclays.com/20years to see the full story

Barclays is celebrating 20 years of commitment to the game we

ELLA TOONE

The forward, who turned 22 last month, couldn’t be prouder to wear the iconic no.7 for the club she loves

Yeah, it is. When I first got the no.7 shirt, I was in a bit of shock, really, because when I was growing up, I always used to have ‘7’ and ‘Ronaldo’ on the back of my shirt, so it’s been amazing to have that number on the back of my shirt for Manchester United and now Cristiano Ronaldo’s back... it’s amazing! I feel like I’m reliving my childhood all over again. It’s great to see him back at the club where he belongs.

You might have played for City briefly but you’re a United fan and this game must mean a lot?

Yeah, it’s huge. For us, and for Manchester City, I don’t think there’s a bigger game than the Manchester derby.

I grew up watching these derbies all my life and so to be involved in them now, it’s really special. We’re trying to paint the city red; we can’t wait. These are the games we play for and it’s going to be a really exciting game.

Is there a favourite derby of yours you remember?

When Rooney scored the overhead kick [February 2011], it’s got to be that one. That is still unbelievable. I still watch that goal now. You know what... my favourite is every single derby we’ve ever won, actually!

We’ve had some great meetings with them recently – a couple of tight cup games, some goal-line drama,

“FOR US, AND CITY, I DON’T THINK THERE’S A BIGGER GAME. I GREW UP WATCHING THESE DERBIES SO TO BE INVOLVED IN THEM IS SPECIAL” great goals. It’s been a really entertaining fixture a lot of the time – will it be the same again today?

I think they’re always exciting games because no-one wants to lose. We need to make sure that we outwork them, that we play better football than them and hopefully it’s an entertaining game for the fans as well and we’ll be able to take the three points from it.

In the interview with Sky after the Birmingham game, you joined the fans in singing Leah Galton’s song. Can we expect more singing with the fans if we win today?

Yeah, of course. The fans are great. To be able to interact with them after the games is the least we can do. I always tell Leah, that’s my favourite song, so I always sing it to Leah whenever the fans are singing it. Unfortunately, that got caught on Sky Sports this time! ⬤

27

THE VISITORS

“We are up against it,” admitted City boss Gareth Taylor last Sunday, making today’s derby even more important to him and his Blues...

All smiles as Lauren Hemp scores against Spurs on 12 September – but City haven’t found the net in the WSL since then

MAN CITY As one of the favourites to win the WSL title, few would have predicted Gareth Taylor’s City being nine points off the top, in ninth place, after just four games.

With 13 players at this summer’s Tokyo Olympics, and a quartet of them reaching the final four, City were unable to schedule a single pre-season fixture through a mixture of travel, Covid-19 protocols and essential holidays for players exhausted after the most demanding of seasons.

Preparations then suffered a further setback in their Champions League qualifying defeat to Real Madrid, just 25 days after the Olympic final. “Our pre-season preparation wasn’t great and the Olympics probably hurt us more than most teams in terms of the return to training for most of the girls,” said Taylor afterwards.

After a routine 4-0 win at Everton on the opening day of the WSL, City conceded late to lose 2-1 at home to Tottenham, then fell 5-0 to Arsenal a fortnight ago – their heaviest loss since turning professional in 2014. Back on home soil last Sunday, they lost again – 2-0 to West Ham. An injury crisis hasn’t helped. City have been without goalkeepers Ellie Roebuck and Karen Bardsley, plus key

28

defenders Lucy Bronze, Esme Morgan, captain Steph Houghton and last season’s joint-top scorer Chloe Kelly for much of the season – essentially the spine of the team – with left-back Demi Stokes also struggling for fitness.

Keira Walsh has been another notable absentee but the midfield metronome returned in the delayed 2020/21 FA Cup defeat of Leicester 10 days ago – a 6-0 City win – and the 24-year-old will add further guile in central areas alongside Caroline Weir in Taylor’s favoured 4-3-3 system.

Though a forward by trade, Georgia Stanway has deputised well for Morgan – who suffered a broken leg against Spurs – at right-back, while ex-Red Alex Greenwood continues to prove her versatility by filling in at centre-back.

As first-team regulars regain fitness and new signings like centre-back Alanna Kennedy and forward Khadija Shaw settle, City’s undoubted quality and vibrant press should soon pay dividends. Plus, with Ellen White up front, goals should never be far around the corner. “We’ve faced more challenges than we would in a whole season,” says Taylor. “But we’ve got character, determination, personality and fight – we’ll keep facing up to the challenges.”

THE VISITORS

THE MANAGER GARETH TAYLOR Taylor has spent the past decade on the coaching staff of the club he served for three years as a player from 1998 – first developing youngsters in Dubai, then returning to the UK to head up the club’s Academy from 2017 – but it is since replacing Nick Cushing as City Women boss that the former forward has really cut his tactical teeth among the elite. The 48-year-old is a progressive tactician who steered the Blues to 2020 FA Cup final glory and kept pace with champions Chelsea in last term’s WSL title battle, City losing just once in the league all season.

ONE TO WATCH ELLEN WHITE With her clever movement, lethal shot and superb heading ability, White keeps opposition defenders very busy. Beginning her senior career at Chelsea in 2005 aged 16, she’s averaged better than a goal every other game for Leeds, Arsenal, Notts County, Birmingham and City in a stellar career that’s also delivered 43 goals from 97 England caps. A three-time England Women’s Player of the Year who has twice overcome knee injuries, she scored six times for Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics, but she’s yet to net for City since then.

SUMMER SIGNING VICKY LOSADA City pulled off something of a coup in July in signing Barcelona’s 2020/21 treble-winning captain, who is still only 30. The creative midfielder caught the eye of many while playing in Catalonia as a teenager, and she made her senior Barça debut in 2006. Losada had short spells at Espanyol (2007/08), Western New York (2014) and Arsenal (2015-2016) but always returned home to the club of her heart, for whom she won 23 major honours.

Though starting appearances were harder to come by last term, her leadership was vital and something Taylor was keen to add to his squad.

number trail

15 Goals scored by both of their top scorers last season – Chloe Kelly and Ellen White – in all competitions, with Sam Mewis (now back in the US) one behind.

9th The 2021/22 campaign is City’s ninth season in the FA Women’s Super League, and 34th season of competitive football since they were formed in 1988.

33 City’s recent defeat at the Academy Stadium to Spurs saw the Blues end a 33-game unbeaten run at home in the WSL, dating back to April 2018.

2016 When City were crowned league champions for the first time – they’ve finished runners-up in every season since then.

27

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF

COMMUNITY NEWS

SPACE FOR SPORT & PLAY Groenen opens ‘Cruyff Court’ to help children with additional needs Jackie Groenen has become a firm fans’ favourite since joining United in 2019 and her impact has been recognised as she was recently made the subject of a newly opened sports space through the work of the Johan Cruyff Foundation.

For almost 25 years, the Foundation of the iconic Dutch genius has been creating areas for young people to play and participate in sports called ‘Cruyff Courts’, with the first in the UK opening in 2008 and dedicated to Dennis Bergkamp.

‘Special Cruyff Courts’, in schools for children with disabilities and additional learning needs, have also been developed, with Groenen opening one such facility named in her honour at Cumberland School in Rivington, near Bolton, thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

“In particular, the enthusiasm of disabled children when they are given the opportunity to exercise and play sports together, is extremely contagious and motivating,” said the Reds midfielder at the opening.

“I hope everyone can enjoy sports as much as I do – I am delighted to have my own Special Cruyff Court.”

Groenen, who wears the no.14 shirt for both club and country in tribute to her idol Cruyff, became an ambassador of the Foundation in January 2020. By the end of the year, there will be more than 20 Special Cruyff Courts in the UK. “With this Special Cruyff Court, space is created for the children of this school,” explained Niels Meijer,

director of the Cruyff Foundation.

“Space for sport and play. Space to make friends. Space to be active and improve physical and mental health. Nowadays this is more important than ever. We want to thank players of the People’s Postcode Lottery who support this.”

Phil Jones, CEO of Witherslack Group, a leading provider of specialist education of which Cumberland School is a part, added: “We have immense pride in working in partnership with the Cruyff

Foundation to create amazing spaces for our young people. This Cruyff Court is a world-class facility and has made such a positive impact for pupils and staff.

“The difference they have made was particularly illustrated throughout the early stages of the pandemic.

When our schools were asked to stay open the courts played a huge part in both ensuring the wellbeing of our school community, as well as offering much-needed fun and enjoyment.”

“THE ENTHUSIASM OF DISABLED CHILDREN WHEN THEY ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXERCISE TOGETHER IS EXTREMELY MOTIVATING” – GROENEN

Jackie joins the Cruyff Foundation to take questions at the opening of the court – named in her honour (left) – which will benefit many youngsters in the region

31

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

KIDS’ PAGE

WORLD STARS The five Reds with the most senior international caps!

Jackie Groenen, Netherlands, 77 caps

CROSSING THE CITY Did you know, three players who could be involved today have played for both Manchester clubs...

Ella Toone City: 2016-18 United: 2018-present

⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤ ⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤

Hayley Ladd, Wales, 65 caps ⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤ ⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤

Maria Thorisdottir, Norway, 51 caps

Alex Greenwood United: 2018-19 City: 2020-present

⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤ ⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤

Kirsty Smith, Scotland, 44 caps ⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤ ⬤⬤⬤⬤

Vilde Boe Risa, Norway: 39 caps

Aoife Mannion City: 2019-21 United: 2021-present

⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤

HAYLEY’S HIGHLIGHTS To celebrate her birthday on Wednesday, here are some key Hayley Ladd dates!

5 June 2019: Joins from Birmingham City

21 Nov 2019: First United goal, v Leicester City

7 Sep 2019: Competitive debut, v Manchester City

18 Sep 2020: Named our 2019/20 Player of the Year

22 Jan 2019: Wins 50th cap for Wales, against Italy

24 Feb 2021: Signs new two-year contract

BIRTHDAY SHOUT-OUT... to Brooke Joyce, who turned eight on 6 October and is here with her team, AFC Bolton U8 girls!

(Send your messages and pictures to MUWomenfamily@manutd.co.uk)

33

QUESTION TIME

HALF-TIME QUIZ

A dozen questions, from derby days to Durham away. Good luck!

1. Who was the first United Women player to score in a Manchester derby?

2. Which current Red played for City in the first-ever competitive meeting between the clubs, in September 2019?

3. T rue or false: City were the first side we faced at least once in each of England’s three domestic competitions.

?

8. Which US club did Marc Skinner manage prior to taking over at United?

9. Alessia Russo’s recent goal against Chelsea was her first since 18 October 2020 after a long injury absence – which fellow London side were our opponents that day (right)?

10. After today’s opponents, which other ‘City’ have we faced most often – five times in total?

4. Which United star scored the first goal of England’s 2023 World Cup qualifying campaign in September, against North Macedonia (above)?

5. And which former Reds forward, now playing in the USA, was also named in the Lionesses squad?

6. Who was in goal for us in a memorable shoot-out triumph against today’s opponents in last season’s Continental Cup (right)?

7. How many United players have scored their first-ever goal for the club so far this season?

11. Next up, we face Durham – which ex-Reds midfielder scored the only goal (in the first minute, above) when we beat them 1-0 at Leigh in December 2018?

12. Along with Durham, who are the other three teams in our Continental League Cup group this season?

QUIZ ANSWERS: 1. Katie Zelem; 2. Aoife Mannion; 3. False – it was Reading; 4. Ella Toone; 5. Ebony Salmon; 6. Emily Ramsey; 7. Three – Ona Batlle, Maria Thorisdottir and Martha Thomas; 8. Orlando Pride; 9. West Ham United; 10. Leicester City; 11. Mollie Green; 12. Manchester City, Leicester City and Everton

34

Podcast-IU-AD_New Season.indd 1

10/08/2021 21:48

THE MANCUNIAN WAY.

© 2021 adidas AG

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

UNITED APPEARANCES AND GOALS, 2021/22 SEASON PLAYER

Ona Batlle

LEAGUE

FA CUP

LEAGUE CUP

TOTAL

APP GLS APP GLS APP GLS APP GLS 4 1 0 0 0 0 4 1

Hannah Blundell 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 Vilde Boe Risa

1(1)

0

0

0

0

0

1(1)

0

Mary Earps

4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0

Leah Galton

4 1 0 0 0 0 4 1

Jackie Groenen 3(1) 0 0 0 0 0 3(1) 0 Kirsty Hanson 3(1) 1 0 0 0 0 3(1) 1 Carrie Jones

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

Hayley Ladd

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

Aoife Mannion 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 Alessia Russo

1(3) 1 0 0 0 0 1(3) 1

Lucy Staniforth 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 Martha Thomas 0(2) 1 0 0 0 0 0(2) 1 Maria Thorisdottir 3(1) 1 0 0 0 0 3(1) 1

Team

1 Arsenal

P

W

D

L

GD

Pts

4 4 0 0 14 12

Ella Toone

4 2 0 0 0 0 4 2

Millie Turner

1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

2 Tottenham

4 4 0 0 5 12

Katie Zelem

4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0

3 Chelsea

4 3 0 1 10 9

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

4 UNITED

4 3 0 1 1 9

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

5 West Ham

4 2 1 1 4 7

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

6 Aston Villa

4 2 1 1 -2 7

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

7 Brighton

4 2 0 2 4 6

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

8 Everton

4 2 0 2 -3 6

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

9 Manchester City 4 1 0 3 -4 3

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

10 Leicester

4 0 0 4 -9 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

11 Birmingham

4 0 0 4 -10 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

12 Reading

4 0 0 4 -10 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE TOP SCORERS

Galton’s 2021/22 first goal of0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 last Sunday came on0 0 her 50th

0 0 0 0 0 0 start and 60th game for United

UNITED ALL-TIME APPS & GOALS

Sam Kerr (Chelsea)

5

Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal)

4

Kim Little (Arsenal)

4

Apps

Goals

Beth Mead (Arsenal)

3

Ella Toone

78

34

Fran Kirby (Chelsea)

2

Millie Turner

77

5

Katie Zelem

74

20 16

Ella Toone (UNITED) 2

FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE TOP ASSISTS

Kirsty Hanson

71

Amy Turner

67

4

Jessica Sigsworth

66

26

Above: Toone now leads the way with both appearances and goals

Leah Galton

60

15

Apps

Goals

Fran Kirby (Chelsea)

5

Lauren James

56

28

Maria Thorisdottir

12

1

Beth Mead (Arsenal)

3

Kirsty Smith

52

1

Tobin Heath

11

4

Ella Toone (UNITED) 3

Mary Earps

48

0

Lotta Okvist

10

0

Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal)

Martha Harris

46

1

Alessia Russo

9

4

Jackie Groenen

45

0

Ivana Ferreira Fuso

6

0

Hayley Ladd

43

2

Emily Ramsey

6

0

Lizzie Arnot

34

9

Carrie Jones

6

0

Jane Ross

34

7

Hannah Blundell

4

0

Mollie Green

29

16

Aoife Mannion

4

0

Siobhan Chamberlain 27

0

Naomi Hartley

3

0

Alex Greenwood

27

5

Fran Bentley

2

0

THIS WEEKEND’S OTHER WSL FIXTURES TOMORROW Chelsea v Leicester City (12.30pm) Brighton v Tottenham Hotspur (2pm) Reading v Aston Villa (2pm)

2

Ona Batlle

27

1

Martha Thomas

2

1

West Ham v Birmingham City (3pm)

Abbie McManus

25

2

Vilde Boe Risa

2

0

Lucy Staniforth

22

1

Aurora Mikalsen

1

0

Right: Following their 2-0 win at Manchester City last week, West Ham host Birmingham

Charlie Devlin

20

6

Tara Bourne

1

0

Christen Press

17

4

Rebecca May

1

0

Aimee Palmer

15

1

Arsenal v Everton (3pm)

(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

WSL

Sat 9

Man City (H) 1.30pm

CC

Thu 14

Durham (A) 7pm

WSL

Sun 7

Tottenham (A) 2pm

WSL

Sun 14

Everton (A) 1pm

CC

Wed 17

Man City (H) 7pm

WSL

Sun 21

Arsenal (H) 12pm

CC

Sun 5

Leicester (H) 12pm

WSL

Sun 12

Brighton (A) 2pm

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

Batlle

Thorisdottir

Zelem Groenen

OCTOBER

TBC

Earps

N OVE MBE R

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

Mannion

Blundell

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

Hanson

–

Russo

KEY:

Staniforth

Galton 1

Toone 1

WSL - Women’s Super League * won on penalties

First sub

CC - FA Continental League Cup Second sub

Third sub

Boe Risa

Jones

FA - Women’s FA Cup Fourth sub

Scorers Bold

Fifth sub

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 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 24 26 30 33 34

Karen Bardsley (GK) Demi Stokes Alex Greenwood Steph Houghton Laura Coombs Jill Scott Chloe Kelly Georgia Stanway Janine Beckie Filippa Angeldahl Hayley Raso Esme Morgan Lauren Hemp Jess Park Vicky Losada Ellen White Caroline Weir Lucy Bronze Khadija Shaw Keira Walsh Ellie Roebuck (GK) Ruby Mace Alanna Kennedy Karima Benameur Taieb (GK)

MATCH OFFICIALS Referee Rebecca Welch ⬤ Assistants Natalie Aspinall, Lisa Rashid Fourth official Ed Duckworth

MANCHESTER CITY WOMEN

MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN

#allredallequal