Manchester United Women v Tottenham Hotspur Women match programme, WSL, 23.01.2022

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 2021/22 SEASON • VOLUME 04 ISSUE 09

INSIDE: MILLIE TURNER INTERVIEW

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WHAT’S INSIDE

COME ON YOU REDS! Following a rather enjoyable Conti Cup interlude in midweek, United resume the pursuit of a top-three finish in the WSL – and a glance at the standings (see p37) tells you all you need to know about the importance of today, with only goal difference splitting the Reds and Spurs ahead of kick-off. Millie Turner scored a winning goal against the Londoners last season, and she’s as eager as anyone for this game (p14), having missed a chunk of the season through injury. And after today, we’ll be back on the cup trail – read all about that on p22.

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, Ed Woodward, Richard Arnold,

04 HEAD COACH’S column 09 NEWS ROUND-UP

Michael Edelson, Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill CBE Secretary Rebecca Britain Honorary president

11 match action round-up 13 captain’s column

Martin Edwards MATCH PROGRAMME TEAM Editor Charlie Ghagan Editor-in-chief Ian McLeish

14 millie turner interview 22 Women’s FA CUP PREVIEW

Contributors Sean Mullan, Joe Ganley, Harriet Drudge, Harry Robinson, Andy Murray Photography Ash Donelon, John & Matt Peters,

30 the opposition 33 junior reds

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

37 player & team statistics

© Manchester United 2022

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HEAD COACH’S COLUMN

MARC SKINNER A week on from our third straight win in the WSL, the boss knows today could prove a bigger challenge, but he has total faith that his Reds will stay focused...

Welcome back to Leigh Sports Village for our match against Tottenham. I’m writing this before our midweek cup tie against Arsenal, so will reflect purely on league matters here – and, hopefully, I’ll be writing about a semi-final in a future column!

We were excellent against Birmingham last weekend, particularly in the first half. The speed in which we attacked the game was pleasing. I want us to be ruthless, to be super aggressive with and without the ball. We did that and blew Birmingham away, limiting them to just one shot – and that was our fault; we didn’t clear the second phase from a set-piece. Some may say Birmingham didn’t play as well against us as they did against Arsenal. We didn’t let them. When I reflect on it, I think about how our intent was there to be us, to play our game and not worry too much about the opponent.

That’s something we’ve been working hard to do over the last few months, and it’s great to see it now in practice.

We’re on a nice little run of form in the league now too, winning three consecutive matches without conceding.

Ella Toone obviously picked up the Player of the Month award for December and has been in great form; Leah Galton was the most aggressive I’ve seen her in a while against Birmingham, playing behind the lines and really

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clean in her delivery. Another key performer in the last few matches has been our captain, Katie Zelem. Zel’s goal against Birmingham was a gorgeous finish and it epitomises her. She has a delightful understanding of the game and has been a big, impactful player, putting in dominant performances and leading by example.

We’re playing well but we know anything can happen in football, and we experienced that against Spurs earlier this season. Since then, we’ve developed a resilience and we know we’ve got to be focused and concentrate all the time. Tottenham have a very good way of mixing their style to make it very difficult for you to beat them and then try to counter what you do. We need to make sure we control the game and that we’re aggressive from the start. We know what we’ve got to do and we’ll make the game as much of a Manchester United game as possible.

After today, we could be on the road for a while so I just wanted to thank you all for your support, here and away. You are such a huge part of what we do. You are the core to move every part of our body – the six-pack to our workout! We’re truly spoiled by the level of support we receive from you and we feel it every day.

Enjoy the game.

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.

“I WANT US TO BE RUTHLESS, TO BE SUPER AGGRESSIVE, WITH AND WITHOUT THE BALL. WE DID THAT LAST WEEKEND AND WE BLEW BIRMINGHAM AWAY” 05

BIG PICTURE

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Ham United

BIG PICTURE

“THIS AWARD IS FOR EVERYBODY” As you might have read about in the Birmingham programme, Marc Skinner and Ella Toone both received Barclays FA Women’s Super League awards last week – Marc was named the top-flight’s Manager of the Month for December, while Ella was named December’s WSL Player of the Month, following a run of pre-Christmas form that put us right back in contention to finish in the three Champions League places. Receiving his award at the Reds’ Carrington training ground, Marc was keen to salute the efforts of all his team, saying: “I don’t win any accolades unless the staff work as hard as I do – if not harder. I’m the person who receives it, but it’s shared by everybody for their huge commitment to what we’re trying to do.” And in case you didn’t know what everybody’s role is, here is the team (pictured left to right): Ibrahim Kerem (head physiotherapist), Luke Wright (performance analyst), Carl Green (assistant coach), Dexter Firth (kit and equipment manager), Marc Skinner (head coach), Martin Ho (assistant coach), Aimee O’Keeffe (performance nutritionist), Ben Williams (team operations and admin manager), Ian Willcock (goalkeeping coach) and Holli Finnis (physiotherapist). Congratulations to you all...

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GET YOUR YOU ON

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LATEST STORIES

MUW NEWS

TV PICKS ANNOUNCED

Two huge WSL away games to be screened next month United Women have a pair of key WSL away days on the February schedule, against titlechasing Arsenal and a resurgent Manchester City, with both fixtures picked for live coverage on Sky and the BBC. The Reds’ next league game after today is against Jonas Eidevall’s Gunners, meaning a swift return to Meadow Park in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire (inset) following our Continental Tyres League Cup meeting at the same ground in midweek.

With Sky Sports Premier League to broadcast the game, it has been moved from Sunday to Saturday (5 February), with kick-off at 12.30pm.

The following weekend’s fixture could end up proving even more important to the Reds’ hopes of sealing a Champions League finish in the WSL, as we head to Manchester City’s Academy Stadium. This game remains on the

If you can’t make it to the Academy Stadium for next month’s derby date, it’ll be live on BBC Two

Sunday (13 February), but kick-off is now 12.30pm.

The ninth Manchester women’s derby will be screened live on BBC Two. The three-year broadcasting deal, which began this season, allows Sky to show up to 44 WSL games across the campaign, with the BBC to screen 22 – at least 18 of which are available on BBC One/Two, rather than the iPlayer or Red Button.

Games not selected as part of this broadcasting deal are all available on The FA Player app with certain United games – including today’s visit of Spurs – also live on MUTV. Match highlights and other programmes covering United Women also appear on the club’s in-house TV channel – head to mutv.com to check out the full upcoming MUTV listings.

RUSSO’S REWARD Hot on the heels of Marc Skinner and Ella Toone picking up the Barclays WSL awards for December, Alessia Russo won the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month award in recognition of her WSL displays in the same month.

The fan poll saw Russo take 27 per cent of the votes, ahead of fellow Reds Toone and Vilde Boe Risa, as well as Reading’s Deanne Rose and Spurs pair Jessica Naz and Rachel Williams.

The start of December saw the forward impress against Brighton, with her superb assist for Boe Risa wrapping up the win. Alessia again showed her ability to tee up team-mates in the home win against Aston Villa, reacting quickly to a loose ball to set up Lucy Staniforth to score.

Having ended November by scoring a record-breaking 11-minute hat-trick for England, it’s been a good few weeks for our no.23 – congratulations, Lessi!

Russo’s contributions have been recognised

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MATCH ROUND-UP

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

What a night it was on Wednesday!

Wednesday 19 January, Meadow Park, Continental Tyres League Cup quarter-final ARSENAL 0 UNITED 1 (Russo 85) The Reds reached the League Cup semi-finals in dramatic fashion on Wednesday night, thanks to Alessia Russo’s 85th-minute header and a solid defensive display to keep out WSL leaders Arsenal.

Clear chances were few and far between in a tense first 45 minutes, with neither Arsenal keeper Manuela Zinsberger or her United counterpart Sophie Baggaley being called upon to make a notable save. The approach play from both sides was better, with Gunners winger Katie McCabe firing in some dangerous low crosses.

Meanwhile United’s front three of Leah Galton, Martha Thomas and Kirsty Hanson were linking up well before the latter was injured, replaced by Ivana Ferreira Fuso.

The closest Marc Skinner’s side came to a first-half breakthrough came on the counterattack thanks to Galton winning possession and Thomas feeding Ella Toone in the right-hand channel. United’s no.7 outpaced her marker but rolled a shot agonisingly wide.

United came flying out of the traps at the start of the second half. Set-pieces taken by Katie Zelem enabled Millie Turner to direct two headers towards goal, the best of which landed on the top of the crossbar.

Both sides made triple substitutions in a bid to break the deadlock and it was the visitors who almost did that through Vilde Boe Risa, as she swept a shot fractionally wide Hannah Blundell from Ona Batlle’s pass. closes down Another sub, Russo, Nikita Parris had the bit between her

teeth and with five minutes left she won the free-kick that led to the goal. Zelem whipped in the dead ball and Alessia rose to meet it and beat Zinsberger with a fine header to settle the tie.

Delight as Russo finds the target

Saturday 15 January, Leigh Sports Village, WSL UNITED 5 (Zelem 12, Galton 16, 18, Ramsey (og) 45, Russo 71) BIRMINGHAM CITY 0 United cruised to a dominant win over Birmingham here in Leigh eight days ago, extending our winning WSL run to four matches and lifting us up to third.

The Reds began the first half with great urgency and were rewarded for the early dominance on 12 minutes.

Kirsty Smith and Leah Galton combined well down the left before the latter pulled back for Katie Zelem, who lofted a cool finish over goalkeeper Emily Ramsey – on loan from the Reds – and into the far corner. Moments later, a flurry of action saw Galton grab a quick brace, with the winger sliding home Russo’s low cross before converting Toone’s delivery from a similar position.

United showed few signs Ramsey dives low of slowing as the first half to deny Galton progressed, and deservedly extended the lead. Toone unleashed a long-range effort which cannoned off the upright and fortuitously rebounded off the back of Ramsey, who could only watch as the ball bounced in.

The beginning of the second half was quieter than the first, as both sides struggled to create many goalscoring opportunities. United’s first clear-cut chance fell to Galton after 57 minutes, but her right-footed strike failed to trouble Ramsey. Just after the hour mark, the visitors almost reduced the deficit when Louise Quinn connected with a volley from the edge of the box following a corner, only to see it crash against the crossbar.

The Reds still controlled possession and extended the advantage to 5-0 on 71 minutes. Substitute Hannah Blundell broke down the left before delivering a dangerous cross which Smith Russo headed home.

See p38-39 for United line-ups

charges forward

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CAPTAIN’S COLUMN

KATIE ZELEM It’s so pleasing when training drills reap rewards in a match, says the skipper, and the Reds have been working hard on a game plan for today’s big match...

I think we played some of our best football this season against Birmingham last weekend. The first half was excellent and to go in at half-time 4-0 up just goes to show how dominant we were.

Getting on the scoresheet is always an amazing feeling. It was a great pull-back from Leah to set me up and it’s something we have picked up on recently, not just in this game but a few games when the cut-back has been on. It was good build-up, I arrived at the right place at the right time and managed to finish it.

We’ve been playing a little bit higher recently, especially one of the deep midfielders, and working hard on a few things from an attacking point of view in training. It’s so satisfying when they come off in a match. I obviously enjoyed all the goals hitting the back of the net, but our play building up to them was brilliant and it’s such a good sign for us.

I mentioned earlier in the season that it was going to take a little bit of time for us to get into our stride.

Coming into the season, we had new players, new coaching staff and some tweaks to the philosophy we wanted to work on. These things don’t happen overnight but we’re in good form now and want to keep that

momentum going for the rest of the season.

Facing Tottenham, the disappointment of conceding that late equaliser against them earlier in the season is still fresh in our minds.

It felt like a loss. We know this is a big game Zel certainly enjoyed finding the back of the – we’re level on points Blues’ net last weekend going into the match – but we’ll approach it like any other and make sure we stick to our game plan.

We’re excited to play at home before we head south for the FA Cup next weekend. We really appreciate your support for us, whether here or away. Having you there by our side, especially when we are away from home, means so much to us – and we’ll be doing all we can to put on a performance and get the three points for you this afternoon.

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

#21 MILLIE TURNER

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Manchester United Women v Brighton Hove

MILLIE TURNER

Ahead of the Reds’ midweek cup trip to Arsenal, we pulled up a pew with our popular centre-back, who was only too happy to discuss the team’s recent league form, her recovery from a knee injury, and developing on the pitch with Aoife Mannion...

Interview: Harry Robinson

Hi Millie, let’s start off by talking about last week’s 5-0 win against Birmingham – a brilliant way to start the year. Can you tell us what the message from Marc was in the dressing room before you went out?

It’s always quite difficult coming back from the Christmas break away from playing so he just said, ‘you all need to be switched on.’ We were obviously aware of the result Birmingham had against Arsenal with the 2-0 win, so he just wanted us to be switched on and on our best game.

It was such a fast start – Vilde forced a save within a minute and we were 3-0 up within 20 minutes.

After a few weeks off, how did you get that start – is it down to good training?

Yeah, definitely. I think you obviously have to keep yourself fit in that period over Christmas and we all did that, and we came out of the blocks against Birmingham.

I think that was the most important thing that we wanted to focus on, to hit them in the early stages and keep putting the pressure on, and we really did that.

It was a dominant performance and watching, it felt quite comfortable beyond a certain point.

Was it a game you could enjoy yourself in?

Definitely. I think that’s what we pride ourselves on as well as a team – we want to play an attractive style of football and we want to dominate games. We don’t just want to win games one or two-nil, we want to keep pushing for more. We’ll never stop working towards that.

“IT’S BEEN ENJOYABLE TO WATCH. WHEN I WAS OUT INJURED, NEAR THE BACK END OF THAT, I WAS WATCHING THE GIRLS AND JUST LOVING IT”

There were a few stand-out performances, but Leah Galton’s was possibly the main one, with two goals and an assist. What have you made of Leah’s season?

Well, I’ve obviously been with Leah since the start and Leah has honestly got better and better every single year.

She never fails to impress me. I don’t think she actually realises how good she is. Every team needs someone like Leah, with her ability and her quality, so we’re very lucky to have her and she’s on fire at the moment. I’m very confident that she’ll continue that.

From a team perspective, the Birmingham win made it four wins on the bounce. You won’t be looking at the table yet, but after some inconsistent results before, is this the perfect time to be coming into form?

Yes, I think this always happens when you have a big change. There was obviously a lot of movement within the team. I definitely think it does take time when you have a new manager and some new players, to kind of mould yourself and get your identity back. But I think now we’ve started to hit the ground running; we’re getting results and clean sheets and we’re all on the same page. I think it’s been enjoyable to watch. When I was out injured, near the back end of that, I was watching the girls and just loving it. Hopefully, we’ll continue getting results, playing good football and get better and better.

And from the defence’s perspective, that made it four clean sheets in a row. What’s been the key to that? ⊲

Joining in with the celebrations against Birmingham – Millie’s fifth straight appearance since recovering from a dislocated kneecap

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Staying fit and helping her team keep many more clean sheets is what the 25-year-old is hoping for in 2022

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

Full name Millie Turner Date of birth 7 July 1996 Place of birth Wilmslow, Cheshire Position Defender Youth career Manchester United Senior career 2004-17 Everton, 46 games, 3 goals 2017-18 Bristol City, 31 games, 2 goals 2018- Manchester United, 83 games, 5 goals International career England U19s/U23s

I think we want to be dominant and that doesn’t mean just scoring goals, that means defensively as well.

When you’re keeping a clean sheet, you’ll never lose a game. So that’s a massive thing we pride ourselves on. We’ve had that since we started as a team, it’s been one of our main focuses every single week.

I get more out of keeping a clean sheet than scoring!

It’s what we set ourselves out to get every game.

You and Aoife Mannion have developed a solid partnership. You seem comfortable together…

Definitely. We’re two very different players but I think that works in our favour. It’s important to have a bit of that versatility there, where you balance each other out with each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

I’m really enjoying playing next to her and long may these clean sheets continue.

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Did it click between you two straight away?

I think it always takes time. It’s a really important partnership and it does take some time to build. Still now, we’re learning each other’s games and picking up different traits that we have. We’re learning every day and it’s getting stronger and stronger.

Do you speak to each other to work on that partnership or is it more something that develops as you play with each other?

There’s a lot that happens in games that you can go back out on the training pitch and try and fix but it’s good to have honest conversations in general, whether it be good or bad. We have those honest conversations in this squad. I’m learning from every player in the team and hopefully they’re learning from me too.

Do you feel that your game has stepped up this season, since coming back from injury?

I feel like I’m in a very good place at the moment. I think you don’t get the time to work on individual things much when you’re fully fit playing, simply because you don’t have the time. So when I was injured, instead of having the negative mindset of ‘I’m not playing, I’m missing out’ I just supported the girls, made sure I was a good teammate and focused on getting myself back fit and better than I ever have been before. I also just want to

MILLIE TURNER

Savouring another shut-out with Mary Earps following last weekend’s home victory

“IT’S GOOD TO HAVE HONEST CONVERSATIONS IN GENERAL, WHETHER IT BE GOOD OR BAD. WE HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS IN THIS SQUAD. I’M LEARNING FROM EVERY PLAYER AND HOPEFULLY THEY’RE LEARNING FROM ME TOO” say a massive thank you and give the medical staff credit for helping me get back to full fitness. It was made so much easier with their help and I’m very grateful.

Going forward in the league, we’ve now played 11 games. How are you approaching the second half of the season?

We’re taking every single game as it comes. Every team brings something different in this league, so our next focus is the next game. We’ve got a really good, solid group here and a lot of depth now. So, with that, we can go very far and push for that Champions League spot.

Marc and others have spoken about really taking things one game at a time – how do you feel that approach is helping?

I think it’s really important. And it’s true! You have to take every game as it comes. You can’t win a season without playing every game. It gives us the mindset and the focus

to concentrate fully on every single game. It doesn’t matter who the opposition is, you can never afford to take your foot off the gas, and you can never know what the opposition will bring on that day. We have to put out our best performance every week.

Do you think it also helps when you suffer setbacks, when results don’t quite go your way... does it help you move on quickly from those?

Definitely. You can’t get caught up in that or league positions too early. It’s football, it happens. You get results that don’t get your way, even if you’re the better team. That’s just the reality. It’s important we have that mindset that the next game is the one that matters.

How have you found working with Marc this season?

It’s obviously a big change for everyone and I think it took everyone a while – us as players and them as staff – to get to know each other. We’re in a really good ⊲ Manchester United Women v Chelsea Women 17 15

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

MILLIE TURNER

“TO GO TOP AFTER BEATING SPURS LAST SEASON WAS MASSIVE. TO EXPERIENCE EVEN LITTLE SPELLS LIKE THAT OF BEING TOP, THE PRESSURE YOU FEEL, IT’S SO IMPORTANT FOR US GOING FORWARD” place now where we all know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and how we work. I think that’s definitely working in our favour. It’s been really good to have new ideas come in, all the girls have bought into that and it’s showing on the pitch.

Turning attention to Spurs. You scored against them last season in a result that saw us go top of the WSL [pictured above]. A lot has changed since then, but how do you think last season’s experience in going top has helped the team this year?

I think it was massive. As a team, we hadn’t experienced that and every single year we’re getting better and better.

To experience even little spells like that of being at the top, the pressure you feel, the willingness to want to win even more, it’s so important for all of us going forward.

To have that exposure to being top last season, being the team to beat, that’ll definitely help us this season and hopefully we can take it another step further this time.

Do you think Spurs’ improvement is evidence of how this league has strengthened in the last year or so?

Yeah, definitely. I think teams are bringing in overseas players and everyone is strengthening their squads, not only the starting XIs. The quality and the standard are getting a lot better, teams are better and you’re definitely seeing that in results; anyone can beat anyone. That’s exactly why we say we have to go one game at a time because you don’t know what the opposition will bring.

What type of game are you expecting against Rehanne Skinner’s side this weekend?

We’re expecting a fight, a very direct game. I think we’re unbeaten against them so they’re going to be gunning for us. Every time we play them it’s a very good game.

They’re getting better and better every year. It should be a good game and it’s one that we’re ready for.

To wrap up, what are your personal ambitions for this season and the year ahead? We imagine England is always a key ambition for you, and there’s the Old Trafford game against Everton in March...

To be honest, my main ambition is to stay fit, get as many minutes as I can and help my team. As a defensive unit, we want to give our team the confidence to go forward, go and express themselves and have freedom to play and freedom to enjoy themselves. That’s our job as defenders.

And hopefully, I’ll put good performances in and turn the eyes of the England set-up. We’ll just see what happens.

As for Old Trafford, you played there in March 2021 but without fans. How excited are you to be there again in March, but with fans this time?

Very excited. There’s no better feeling than walking out on the pitch at Old Trafford. It’ll be unbelievable playing in front of so many fans. I know there’s going to be such a good turn-out; there always is when we have occasions like this. Everyone’s so excited about it but for now, we’ll focus on what’s next and see where it takes us. ⬤

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MARTHA HARRIS Born: 19/08/1994 Nationality: English Trivia: Won WSL with Liverpool in 2014 when she was also named in the Team of the Year.

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AOIFE MANNION Born: 24/09/1995 Nationality: English Trivia: The only Red to have played every minute of every game so far this season.

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ONA BATLLE Born: 10/06/1999 Nationality: Spanish Trivia: Sealed memorable League Cup win v Man City with late winner at LSV.

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MILLIE TURNER Born: 07/07/1996 Nationality: English Trivia: Has started each of our last three WSL games after returning from a lengthy injury.

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KIRSTY SMITH Born: 06/01/1994 Nationality: Scottish Trivia: Started both of United’s most recent WSL games, helping keep clean sheets in both.

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HANNAH BLUNDELL Born: 25/05/1994 Nationality: English Trivia: Four WSL assists so far this season – just one behind joint-leaders Fran Kirby, Katie McCabe and Ella Toone.

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MARIA THORISDOTTIR Born: 05/06/1993 Nationality: Norwegian Trivia: Recently celebrated first anniversary at United, having joined from Chelsea on 22 January 2021.

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MARY EARPS Born: 07/03/1993 Nationality: English Trivia: Five WSL clean sheets so far this season, second only to Manuela Zinsberger (6).

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SOPHIE BAGGALEY Born: 29/11/1996 Nationality: English Trivia: Crowned 2019 FA WFA Players’ Player of the Year, when also named in PFA Team of the Year.

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THE PLAYERS: 2021/22 SEASON

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JACKIE GROENEN Born: 17/12/1994 Nationality: Dutch Trivia: Featured against Birmingham after a long spell out with injury.

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LUCY STANIFORTH Born: 02/10/1992 Nationality: English Trivia: Graduated with Master of Sport Directorship distinction this month.

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MARTHA THOMAS Born: 31/05/1996 National team: Scotland Trivia: Ended 2021 well, with goals in each of United’s final two outings.

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IVANA FERREIRA FUSO Born: 12/03/2001 Nationality: Brazilian Trivia: Opened her scoring account at Durham before adding a second, v City.

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ALESSIA RUSSO Born: 08/02/1999 Nationality: English Trivia: Scored in last two games, including winner at Arsenal in midweek.

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KATIE ZELEM Born: 20/01/1996 Nationality: English Trivia: On target in our last two WSL games and has four goals v Spurs.

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KIRSTY HANSON Born: 17/04/1998 National team: Scotland Trivia: The first Red to score a WSL goal against Tottenham, in a 3-0 win in October 2019.

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LEAH GALTON Born: 24/05/1994 Nationality: English Trivia: Bagged a brace in United’s last league outing, scoring twice in three minutes.

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ELLA TOONE Born: 02/09/1999 Nationality: English Trivia: WSL Player of the Month for December, and has five goals and five assists in WSL this term.

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CARRIE JONES Born: 04/09/2003 Nationality: Welsh Trivia: Wales international recently signed first pro contract with United, running until 2023.

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HAYLEY LADD Born: 06/10/1996 National team: Wales Trivia: Scored first goal of ’21/22 in December and reached 50 Reds appearances last time out.

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VILDE BOE RISA Born: 13/07/1995 Nationality: Norwegian Trivia: Scored her first United goal in December’s WSL victory away to Brighton.

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THE PLAYERS: 2021/22 SEASON

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WOMEN’S FA CUP PREVIEW

LET THE CUP COMMENCE...

United are going well in the WSL, but next week brings a fresh challenge: our first Women’s FA Cup game of the 2021/22 season.

Here’s everything you need to know about the fourth-round encounter against some new opponents – bring on Bridgwater!

Words Joe Ganley

M

anchester United Women start this season’s quest for our first-ever Women’s FA Cup trophy next weekend, when we travel to Fairfax Park in deepest Somerset to face Bridgwater United.

Marc Skinner’s side join the competition at the fourth-round stage – along with the other 11 teams that comprise the top-flight Women’s Super League – and will be bidding to break Chelsea and Manchester City’s recent stranglehold on the Cup. The Blues of London and Manchester have monopolised this competition over the last five seasons, with Chelsea the current holders following a 3-0 victory

22

over 14-times winners Arsenal at Wembley Stadium in December – a final played seven months after its original scheduled date due to the backlog of fixtures created by the Covid-19 pandemic towards the end of last season.

This will be the Reds’ first meeting with third-tier opponents Bridgwater United, who are expecting a record crowd at next Sunday’s match, which gets under way at their 2,500-capacity home stadium at 2pm.

Tickets for the game went on sale earlier in January, and 1,000 were sold within the first 24 hours. The club have since confirmed that number has been doubled. For reference, Fairfax Park’s record crowd to date is 1,112, posted in

February 1997 when men’s team Bridgwater Town took on Taunton Town. Bridgwater United’s highest gate (1,897) came back in 2017 – when the club was known as Yeovil Town – for a Women’s Super League 1 Spring Series fixture against Liverpool at the more sizeable Huish Park. But the upcoming match with United appears set to topple even that figure, with Reds likely to be scattered all around the ground! If

yo ma 15 pri Wo loo Tw

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you’re looking to make the journey, make sure you’ve got a ticket – only 150 remained on sale at the time of print – while the Manchester United Women Supporters’ Club have been looking to arrange travel – see their Twitter feed (@MUW_SC) for details.

Excitement is rife at the market town, and little wonder, given Bridgwater’s exploits in the previous round of the Cup. They beat New Milton Town and Chichester & Selsey in rounds one and two, respectively, but their shock 1-0 win over second-tier Crystal Palace in round three was arguably the surprise result of the competition so far. The Eagles were third in the Championship at the time of the fixture, but could muster no decisive response to Laura Holden’s goal just before half-time.

Palace came on strongly, as you’d expect, in the second period, but Beth Howard was outstanding in the Bridgwater goal.

That story of underdog success means that while the visiting Reds will be strong favourites to progress ▶

Above: National League side Bridgwater will be looking to make the most of their home advantage next Sunday Left: Our only other meeting with a team outside the top two divisions came against Burnley in last season’s FA Cup fourth round

THE MANCUNIAN WAY.

© 2021 adidas AG

WOMEN’S FA CUP PREVIEW

United’s Jane Ross found the target in last season’s fifth round, in what was Casey Stoney’s final game in charge, but opponents Leicester City battled back to progress to the quarter-finals

SKINNER WILL HAVE TO BALANCE ANY DESIRE TO REST AND ROTATE HIS SENIOR PLAYERS WITH THE CLEAR NEED TO AVOID A CUP UPSET SIMILAR TO THE ONE PALACE SUFFERED AGAINST BRIDGWATER to round five, we’ll have to be on guard when we head to the West Country. Confidence should be high within the Reds’ camp, though, following a bright start to 2022, confirmed by a 5-0 stroll against Birmingham City last weekend, which came on the back of an excellent finish to 2021. And perhaps this game could be an opportunity for Skinner to rotate and grant valuable minutes to talented players on the fringes of the starting

XI, such as goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley or Brazilian forward Ivana Fuso, who has experienced a stop-start United career thus far due to injury set-backs, but has found the net twice in the League Cup this season. Could we even see a first-team debut for young defender Niamh Murphy, or possibly some additions on the subs’ bench from the youth ranks?

We’ll have to wait and see. But Skinner will have to balance any

The Reds’ best FA Cup run remains from our inaugural 2018/19 campaign, when we reached the last eight

desire to rest and rotate his senior players with the clear need to avoid a Cup upset similar to the one Palace suffered against Bridgwater.

He’ll also be well aware that our next WSL trips are extremely tough, important ones. The weekend after this first FA Cup game of 2021/22 we travel to league leaders Arsenal, who have lost just one WSL fixture in 2021/22 at the time of writing.

It doesn’t get any easier after that, because next up is a trip to cross-town rivals Manchester City.

The Blues might be having a modest season by their own high standards but, as we went to print, they trailed us by just two points in the table, having clearly rediscovered some strong form.

Like us, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham, City are involved in a five-way stramash for those precious three Champions League ▶

25

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

WOMEN’S FA CUP PREVIEW

Round four: the full draw SATURDAY 29 JANUARY Aston Villa v Chelsea Nottingham Forest v Manchester City

Goalscorer Laura Holden and Ellie Strippel celebrate Bridgwater’s winner against Palace in round three

IN 12 LEAGUE GAMES THIS SEASON, BRIDGWATER HAVE CONCEDED JUST SEVEN GOALS; IN THE CUP, NOT ONE GOAL HAS BEEN SCORED AGAINST THEM places, and they’ll be hopeful they can recover from their poor start to the season by their high standards.

As for Bridgwater, their own league form offers few hints of their giantkilling capabilities. As we write they are placed fourth in the National League Southern Premier Division, sandwiched between Southampton and Gillingham.

Perhaps what stands out is their defensive record. In 12 league games, they’ve conceded just seven goals. In the Cup, not one goal has been scored against them.

And their defensive ranks received a further boost earlier this month, when they announced the signing of full-back Holly Chandler from Championship-level Coventry United. Chandler and co will have to

go some to keep out a United side that averages more than two goals a game in the WSL this season, and one that boasts an aggregate score of 12-0 in our last three league games. But perhaps a partisan crowd and the lure of beating a major football name like Manchester United might give rise to some powerful inspiration.

That’s where the true magic of the FA Cup lies, after all: in low-ranked, unfancied clubs felling the top-flights Goliaths on bumpy, muddy pitches.

Hopefully that won’t be the case for Skinner – who took Birmingham to the 2017 final (inset) – and his United charges next Sunday, but the tie certainly has Bridgwater and its surrounding area intrigued. Good luck, Reds! ⬤

SUNDAY 30 JANUARY (1pm kick-off) Birmingham City v Sunderland Brighton v Reading Durham v Blackburn Rovers (below) Huddersfield Town v Everton Plymouth Argyle v Charlton Athletic Sheffield United v West Ham United Southampton v Bristol City (2pm kick-off) Billericay Town v Coventry United Bridgwater United v Manchester United Liverpool v Lincoln City Newcastle United v Ipswich Town Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City West Bromwich Albion v Exeter City (3pm kick-off) Arsenal v London City Lionesses

Last 10 finals 2011/12 Birmingham City 2–2 Chelsea (aet, Birmingham win 3–2 on pens) 2012/13 Arsenal 3–0 Bristol Academy 2013/14 Arsenal 2–0 Everton 2014/15 Chelsea 1–0 Notts County 2015/16 Arsenal 1–0 Chelsea 2016/17 Man City 4–1 Birmingham City 2017/18 Chelsea 3–1 Arsenal 2018/19 Man City 3–0 West Ham United 2019/20 Man City 3–1 Everton (aet) 2020/21 Chelsea 3–0 Arsenal (below)

27

SHOP ONLINE AT STORE.MANUTD.COM

MU FOUNDATION

WORKING TOGETHER How Reds across the globe answered the call to support worthy causes Manchester United Foundation’s Santa’s Red Helpers campaign once again ran in December, having originally launched the previous year, and the initiative provided a huge boost to FareShare Greater Manchester (GM), the local branch of the UK’s biggest food charity that diverts food donations to frontline charities and schools.

The club and Foundation came together to pledge £100,000, which will enable the provision of 400,000 meals this winter, with 15,500 families via 265 organisations already receiving support over the past four weeks. “The funding from the Foundation and club was immediately helpful in securing our Christmas provision,” explained Miranda Kaunang, Head of Development at FareShare GM. “It also enables us to plan for the next months, which will be just as tough for many families, in particular the half-term school meals gap in February.

“We are extremely grateful to all who donated to the Santa’s Red Helpers appeal – your support really does make a difference to those facing challenging times.”

In addition, further financial donations were received from

The Mauritius branch worked hard to help donate supplies to an orphanage

supporters, staff and local fan groups, including Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST), The Red Army (TRA) and Manchester United Women Supporters’ Club (MUWSC).

United’s long list of global supporters’ clubs (MUSCs) also became Red Helpers in their own communities by organising events and donating funds and items to charities close to their hearts.

Among those getting involved were New South Wales MUSC in Australia, who organised a charity match to support a local foodbank, providing an additional 2,220 meals over Christmas.

Elsewhere, Cape Town MUSC organised a shoe box appeal (inset) to support their longstanding charity Elonwabeni Children’s Home, while Downpatrick MUSC held a food collection between their

members and donated to Fountain Foodbank. Similar clubs in Ghana and Mauritius offered support to God’s Love Residential Home and Immaculee Marie orphanages respectively, with the latter set of fans also donating to SOS Village for Children, providing gifts for the youngsters and foster mothers.

Here in Greater Manchester, MUST, TRA and MUWSC set up local foodbank collections as well as raising additional funds by raffling off signed United items.

The Foundation would like to send a heartfelt thanks to staff and supporters who took part in the Santa’s Red Helpers campaign, demonstrating once again that being a Red is about more than just following a football team.

To keep up to date with the Foundation and future campaigns, please visit mufoundation.org

29

THE VISITORS

Spurs were set for second spot when Rosella Ayane scored last Sunday (below) but after a late blow they’ll want to get back on track today...

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR As the clock ticked into second-half injury-time at The Hive Stadium last weekend, Tottenham Hotspur were sitting two points clear of the chasing WSL pack in second place, only for a late header from Kate Longhurst to equalise for West Ham. An opportunity missed it may have been for Rehanne Skinner’s Spurs to pull ahead of both Chelsea and United in pursuit of Arsenal, but it makes this afternoon’s fixture with the Reds even more mouth-watering.

Skinner’s first full season in the Tottenham dugout is exceeding all expectations. Her surgical recruitment of French international Maeva Clemaron in central midfield and Molly Bartrip at centre-back has brought real balance and depth to the squad. Former Reading defender Bartrip, 25, has added impressive steel – and more blocks than any WSL player other than Leicester’s Esmee de Graaf this term – alongside captain Shelina Zadorsky.

The manager increasingly favours a 3-4-3 system, with Kerys Harrop next to Bartrip and Zadorsky in an aggressive, mobile back three and Ashleigh Neville – who has won more tackles than any other WSL player in 2021/22 – and Josie Green pushing forward from wing-back. With goalkeepers Tinja-Riikka Korpela and Becky Spencer competing for a starting spot – and

30

presenting two of the top four save percentages in the league this term – it’s no surprise that Spurs have conceded just eight times in 11 WSL games. Only Chelsea and Arsenal have shipped fewer.

The Lilywhites, who began the season with four straight wins in the league, including a come-from-behind victory away to Manchester City, are also gelling further forward. Ria Percival is the team’s creative fulcrum from central midfield, making 24 key passes this term, 10 more than any other Spurs player. Up front, former England international Rachel Williams’s resurgence in front of goal has coincided with Lionesses’ Under-19 winger Jessica Naz beginning to fulfil her undoubted promise on the right wing, as seen with her brilliant match-winning strike in December’s 1-0 defeat of Aston Villa.

“It feels like two points dropped, we completely dominated,” said Skinner after last weekend’s 1-1 draw with the Hammers. “We haven’t put the ball in the back of the net when we needed to. But we’ve got to move on quickly – we’ve got a three-game week in front of us.”

The same applies for her namesake Marc, of course – a League Cup quarter-final on Wednesday night (Spurs hosting Liverpool in their tie), before this afternoon’s high-noon showdown here at Leigh Sports Village.

THE VISITORS

THE MANAGER REHANNE SKINNER Eyebrows were raised when Skinner replaced duo Karen Hills and Juan Carlos Amoros in the hotseat late into 2020, but the ex-England Women assistant coach has since shown trademark coaching acumen and calming presence. She previously won four consecutive lower-league promotions in charge of Leicester’s women’s side between 2006-10, then helped Arsenal Women to five major honours as assistant boss in three years. After a spell in the US, she spent 2016/17 with the Welsh FA, before working as part of the Lionesses’ set-up from 2017-20.

ONE TO WATCH RACHEL WILLIAMS Williams had gone more than three years without scoring a WSL goal when her equaliser set Spurs en route to a 2-1 win at Manchester City in September, but that strike has sparked a return to form. The striker, 34, has gone on to find the net against Leicester, Arsenal and Villa, but it’s her line-leading abilities that have most impressed. The former Leicester, Birmingham and Chelsea forward – a member of Team GB Olympics squad in 2012 – has won more aerial duels in the WSL this term (57) than anyone else, providing a perfect focal point for attacks.

PREVIOUS V UNITED RIA PERCIVAL Percival, whose devilish inswinging free-kick secured Spurs an injury-time equaliser in the 1-1 draw between this afternoon’s two sides in November, is a coach’s dream. The 157-cap New Zealand international has played as a centre-forward, a no.10, central midfielder and even on the right of a back three this term, highlighting the trust the boss has in the versatile 31-year-old. Beginning her career at Kiwi side Lynn-Avon United, Percival has had spells in the US, Canada, Germany and Switzerland, before joining West Ham for 2018/19 and crossing London 12 months later.

number trail

1985 The year they were founded, under the name Broxbourne Ladies, before becoming Tottenham Hotspur Ladies in 1991, then Tottenham Hotspur Women in 2019.

2 Ahead of their midweek League Cup quarter-final against Liverpool, Spurs had lost just twice in 14 games played this season in all competitions.

2nd Their final position in the Championship in 2018/19 as they were promoted to the Women’s Super League along with Manchester United.

8th Spurs’ final WSL position last season – one place below their best top-flight position, from the previous campaign, when they finished 7th on a points-per-game basis.

27

Using football to engage and inspire young people to build a better life for themselves and unite the communities in which they live.

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

Find out more

mufoundation.org

FANS’ PAGE

NAME GAME Which Reds, past or present, share these first or surnames?

Send your messages and photos to MUWomenfamily@manutd.co.uk

THEY SAID WHAT?!

Overheard at training recently (well, maybe!)

ELLA – THAT’S A BALL, NOT A LAMP!

CAN’T WAIT FOR MY THREE WISHES…

1. KIRSTY 2. MARTHA 3. TURNER

TWO-TIER TUSSLES! Spurs are one of three sides we’ve played in both the WSL and Championship...

THIS

DEFINITELY ISN’T BRAZIL!

I DON’T CARE IF YOU DON’T HAVE THE BALL – YOU’RE NOT COMING THROUGH!

Aston Villa ◌ Championship: P2 W2 ◌ WSL: P3 W3 Leicester City ◌ Championship: P2 W2 ◌ WSL: P1 W1 Tottenham Hotspur ◌ Championship: P2 W2 ◌ WSL: P5 W4 D1 33

Name game answers: 1. Hanson and Smith; 2. Harris and Thomas; 3. Amy and Millie

QUESTION TIME

HALF-TIME QUIZ

Twelve posers to test your knowledge, many with a Spurs link...

1. How many points ahead of runners-up Tottenham did United finish in the 2018/19 FA Women’s Championship (right) – three, six or nine?

8. How many clean sheets have United kept in five previous WSL meetings with Spurs?

9. The Reds’ first-ever WSL away win was against Spurs, but what was the final score that day in October 2019?

2. Which former Reds defender spent the second half of last season on loan at Spurs?

3. And which Scandinavian goalkeeper joined Tottenham after leaving United, in July 2020?

10. Which team were relegated from the top flight at the same time as United and Spurs being promoted in 2018/19?

4. Which current Tottenham player, who shares her surname with a pair of Manchester United legends, scored an own goal against United in October 2019?

11. Name the former United midfielder who hit the first of her six Reds goals in the first-ever meeting between today’s teams (below).

5. Which two teams, who both play in blue, are the only sides we’ve faced more often than Spurs?

6. Who scored her fourth and final Reds goal in last season’s 4-1 win in this fixture (right)?

7. Other than the WSL ‘big three’ of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, who were the last away side to win at Leigh Sports Village in the league?

?

12. True or false: Tottenham were United’s final home opponents before the 2019/20 season was brought to an early end.

ANSWERS: 1. Nine; 2. Abbie McManus; 3. Aurora Mikalsen; 4. Ashleigh Neville; 5. Everton and Manchester City; 6. Christen Press; 7. Reading; 8. Three; 9. 3-0 to United; 10. Yeovil Town; 11. Charlie Devlin; 12. False – it was Chelsea

34

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF

THE MANCUNIAN WAY.

© 2021 adidas AG

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

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

5

0

5

0

Ona Batlle

10

1

0

0

3(1)

1

13(1)

2

Hannah Blundell

9(1)

0

0

0

3(2)

0

12(3)

0 1

Vilde Boe Risa

5(2)

1

0

0

3(2)

0

8(4)

Mary Earps

11

0

0

0

0

0

11

0

Ivana Ferreira Fuso

0(2)

0

0

0

3(2)

2

3(4)

2

Leah Galton

10(1)

3

0

0

3(2)

0

13(3)

3

Jackie Groenen

4(2)

0

0

0

0

0

4(2)

0

Kirsty Hanson

6(3)

1

0

0

3(2)

0

9(5)

1

Team

P

W

D

L

GD

Pts

Martha Harris

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

0

1

Arsenal

10

8

1

1

25

25

Carrie Jones

0(3)

0

0

0

2

0

2(3)

0

2

Chelsea

9

7

0

2

21

21

Hayley Ladd

4(2)

1

0

0

2(1)

0

6(3)

1

3

UNITED

11

6

3

2

11

21

Aoife Mannion

11

0

0

0

5

0

16

0

4

Tottenham

11

6

3

2

5

21

Alessia Russo

8(3)

4

0

0

2(3)

2

10(6)

6

5

Manchester City

11

6

1

4

10

19

Kirsty Smith

2

0

0

0

2

0

4

0 2

6

Reading

10

5

1

4

0

16

Lucy Staniforth

7(3)

2

0

0

3(1)

0

10(4)

7

Brighton

11

5

0

6

-4

15

Martha Thomas

1(6)

2

0

0

3

1

4(6)

3

8

West Ham

10

3

5

2

1

14

Maria Thorisdottir

7(3)

1

0

0

3(1)

0

10(4)

1

9

Everton

10 Aston Villa

10

3

2

5

-7

11

Ella Toone

11

5

0

0

3(2)

1

14(2)

6

11

3

1

7

-19

10

Millie Turner

4

0

0

0

3

0

7

0

Katie Zelem

11

2

0

0

3(1)

1

14(1)

3

11 Leicester

12

2

0

10

-18

6

12 Birmingham

12

1

1

10

-25

4

FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE TOP SCORERS, 2021/22 Sam Kerr (Chelsea)

9

Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal)

7

Fran Kirby (Chelsea)

6

Kim Little (Arsenal)

6

Ella Toone (UNITED)

5

Georgia Stanway (Manchester City)

5

Lauren Hemp (Manchester City)

5

Alessia Russo (UNITED)

4

Apps

Goals

Katie McCabe (Arsenal)

4

Ella Toone

90

38

Beth Mead (Arsenal)

4

Katie Zelem

85

23

Rachel Williams (Tottenham)

4

Millie Turner

83

5

Natahsha Dowie (Reading)

4

FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE TOP ASSISTS, 2021/22

UNITED ALL-TIME APPS & GOALS

Above: Both of Smith’s two WSL appearances this season have seen us keep a clean sheet Above left: Groenen returned last weekend following injury for her first appearance since 9 October

Kirsty Hanson

81

16

Leah Galton

72

17

Amy Turner

67

4

Christen Press

17

4

Jessica Sigsworth

66

26

Aoife Mannion

16

0

Apps

Goals

Lauren James

56

28

Aimee Palmer

15

1

Ella Toone (UNITED)

5

Kirsty Smith

56

1

Hannah Blundell

15

0

Fran Kirby (Chelsea)

5

Mary Earps

55

0

Ivana Ferreira Fuso

13

2

Katie McCabe (Arsenal)

5

Hayley Ladd

51

3

Vilde Boe Risa

12

1

Beth Mead (Arsenal)

4

Martha Harris

47

1

Tobin Heath

11

4

Hannah Blundell (UNITED)

4

Jackie Groenen

47

0

Lotta Okvist

10

0

Ona Batlle

37

2

Martha Thomas

10

3

Jane Ross

34

7

Carrie Jones

9

0

Lizzie Arnot

34

9

Emily Ramsey

6

0

Lucy Staniforth

32

3

Sophie Baggaley

5

0

Brighton v Chelsea (12.30pm)

Mollie Green

29

16

Naomi Hartley

3

0

Leicester v Aston Villa (2pm)

Alex Greenwood

27

5

Fran Bentley

2

0

Reading v Birmingham (2pm)

Siobhan Chamberlain

27

0

Tara Bourne

1

0

West Ham v Everton Women (3pm)

Abbie McManus

25

2

Rebecca May

1

0

Manchester City v Arsenal (6.45pm)

Maria Thorisdottir

22

1

Aurora Mikalsen

1

0

Alessia Russo

21

9

Charlie Devlin

20

6

TODAY’S OTHER WSL FIXTURES

Pictured: Manchester City will be out to continue their recent upturn in form when they host Arsenal tonight

(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

Zelem

WSL

Sun 12

Leicester (A) 2pm

3-1

4,473

Earps

Blundell

Mannion

Turner

Batlle

Zelem

Groenen

WSL

Sun 26

Chelsea (H) 12.30pm

1-6

2,197

Earps

Blundell

Mannion

Thorisdottir

Batlle

Zelem

Groenen

WSL

Sun 3

Birmingham (A) 6.45pm 2-0

650

Earps

Batlle

Mannion

Thorisdottir

Blundell

Zelem Groenen

WSL

Sat 9

Man City (H) 1.30pm

2-2

3,797

Earps

Blundell

Mannion

Thorisdottir

Batlle

Zelem

Groenen

CC

Thu 14

Durham (A) 7pm

2-2↑ 1,468

Baggaley

Harris

Mannion

Thorisdottir

Blundell

Boe Risa

Ladd

WSL

Sun 7

Tottenham (A) 12.15pm 1-1

1,308

Earps

Batlle

Mannion

Thorisdottir

Blundell

Zelem

Ladd

WSL

Sun 14

Everton (A) 12.30pm

1-1

840

Earps

Batlle

Mannion

Thorisdottir

Blundell

Zelem

Boe Risa

CC

Wed 17

Man City (H) 7pm

2-1

2,369

Baggaley

Batlle 1

Mannion

Thorisdottir

Smith

Boe Risa

Jones

WSL

Sun 21

Arsenal (H) 12.15pm

0-2

2,186

Earps

Batlle

Mannion

Thorisdottir

Blundell

Staniforth

Zelem

CC

Sun 5

Leicester (H) 12pm

2-2↓

Baggaley

Batlle

Mannion

Turner

Blundell

Boe Risa

Zelem 1

WSL

Sun 12

Brighton (A) 12.30pm

2-0

Earps

Batlle

Mannion

Turner

Blundell

Ladd 1

Zelem

CC

Wed 15

Everton (A) 7pm

2-0+

672

Baggaley

Batlle

Mannion

Turner

Smith

Zelem

Toone

WSL

Sun 19

Aston Villa (H) 12pm

5-0

1,001

Earps

Smith

Mannion

Turner

Galton

Zelem 1 •

Ladd

WSL

Sat 15

Birmingham (H) 12pm

5-0+ 1,015

Earps

Batlle

Mannion

Turner

Smith

Ladd

Zelem 1

CC

Wed 19

Arsenal (A) 7.15pm (QF) 1-0

Baggaley

Blundell

Mannion

Turner

Thorisdottir

Ladd

Zelem

WSL

Sun 23

Tottenham (H) 12pm

FA

Sun 30

Bridgwater (A) 2pm

CC

2/3

Semi-final*

WSL

Sat 5

Arsenal (A) 12.30pm

WSL

Sun 13

Man City (A) 12.30pm

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

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

OCTOBER

* Draw made 20 Jan – visit ManUtd.com to find out our opponents

N OVE MBE R

DE CEMBER

JANUARY

839 1,776

825

FEBRUARY

M ARCH

A PRIL

MAY

DATE TO BE CONFI R M ED

WSL

38

–

West Ham (A)

SEASON STATISTICS Facebook: manutdwomen

YouTube: /ManUtd

Twitter: @manutdwomen

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

Instagram: @manutdwomen

SUBS USED

FOLLOW THE REDS ▶

Hanson 1

Staniforth

Galton

Toone

Thomas

Groenen

Russo

–

–

Hanson

Staniforth

Galton

Toone 1

Thorisdottir 1

Thomas 1

Russo

–

–

Hanson

Staniforth

Galton

Toone

Russo 1

Ladd

Jones

–

–

Russo

Staniforth

Galton 1

Toone 1

Hanson

Boe Risa

Jones

–

–

Hanson

Toone

Galton

Russo 1

Staniforth 1

Ladd

–

–

–

Staniforth

Jones

Russo

Fuso 1

Hanson

Toone 1

Galton

–

– –

Hanson

Toone

Galton

Russo 1

Staniforth

Thomas

–

–

Toone 1

Russo

Galton

Thomas

Staniforth

Hanson

–

–

–

Fuso 1

Staniforth

Hanson

Thomas

Russo

Galton

Toone

Blundell

Zelem

Hanson

Toone

Galton

Russo

Jones

Boe Risa

–

–

–

Staniforth

Toone

Galton

Russo 1

Ladd

Hanson

Fuso

–

–

Toone

Staniforth

Boe Risa 1

Russo

Galton

Thomas

–

–

–

Hanson

Fuso

Galton

Thomas 1

Russo

Blundell

Thorisdottir

Staniforth

Boe Risa

Staniforth 1

Boe Risa

Toone 2

Russo

Hanson

Thomas 1

Thorisdottir

Fuso

–

Boe Risa

Toone

Galton 2

Russo 1

Blundell

Thomas

Groenen

Thorisdottir

Fuso

Galton

Hanson

Toone

Thomas

Fuso

Batlle

Boe Risa

Russo 1

–

KEY: WSL - Women’s Super League ↑/↓ won/lost on penalties

CC - FA Continental League Cup First sub

Second sub

FA - Women’s FA Cup Third sub

Fourth sub

Scorers Bold Fifth sub

Penalty •

Own goal +

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 Niamh Murphy

2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 17 18 20 21 23 24 27 32 37 40

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 16 17 18 21 22 23 24 29 31 44 99

Tinja-Riikka Korpela (GK) Esther Morgan Shelina Zadorsky Josie Green Molly Bartrip Kerys Harrop Jessica Naz Cho So-hyun Tang Jiali Rachel Williams Ria Percival Asmita Ale Angela Addison Kit Graham Kyah Simon Chioma Ubogagu Maeva Clemaron Rebecca Spencer (GK) Rosella Ayane Eveliina Summanen Ashleigh Neville Scarlett Williams Isabella Lane Silvana Flores

MATCH OFFICIALS Referee Lucy May ⬤ Assistants Darren Williams, Jacob Graham Fourth official Matthew Dicicco

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR WOMEN

MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN

#allredallequal