Manchester United Women v Brighton & Hove Albion Women match programme, Women's Super League, 4.2.24

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

2023/24 SEASON • VOLUME 06 ISSUE 11

MANCHESTER

UNITED WOMEN V BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION WOMEN

Barclays Women’s Super League SUNDAY 4 february 2024 ○ 12PM

#allredallequal

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31/01/2024 18:23

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02/10/2023 23:28

IT’S MATCHDAY!

W H AT ’ S I N S I D E

04 HEAD COACH’S COLUMN 07

COUNTDOWN TO KICK-OFF

11

REDS REPORT

15

CAPTAIN’S COLUMN

16

NIKITA PARRIS INTERVIEW

25

MY... HEAD SPACE

26

SIGNED KATIE ZELEM POSTER

29

FAN PHOTOS

30 50 WINS AT LSV 39 MU FOUNDATION 40 THE OPPOSITION 42

JUNIOR REDS

47

STATS SECTION

04

16

03

50 ADDED-TIME QUIZ

30

MATCH PROGRAMME TEAM Editor Charlie Ghagan Editor-in-chief Ian McLeish Contributors Helen Rowe-Willcocks, Jamie Spencer, Sean Mullan, Nathan Thomas Photography Charlotte Tattersall, Ash Donelon, John Peters, Matt Peters, Getty, Alamy Design Tom Chase, Kulsum Karolial Thanks to Ellie Decrop, Hannah Mitchell, Steve Bennett, Benjamin Williams, Jonathan Cooper/statsperform.com Printed by MuPrint.com © Manchester United 2024

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UNITED WOMEN

MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB Co-chairmen Joel Glazer, Avram Glazer Directors Bryan Glazer, Kevin Glazer, Edward Glazer, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, Michael Edelson, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill CBE, Patrick Stewart Secretary Rebecca Britain Honorary president Martin Edwards

31/01/2024 18:22

THE BOSS HAS PRAISE FOR HIS SQUAD AFTER LAST SUNDAY, WHILE HE SALUTES OUR NO.4 AS WE FACE HER OLD CLUB

MARC SKINNER W

04

UNITED WOMEN

elcome back to Leigh Sports Village for another exciting WSL fixture, this time against Melissa Phillips’ Brighton. I’d like to start by thanking you fans for turning out in your numbers week in, week out. Last weekend saw our second-highest attendance at Leigh Sports Village this season and we could feel the energy from each and every one of you.

I think the performance against Aston Villa was a really important one, too. It was the end of a tough three-game week and I was very pleased with the continued energy and commitment.

I feel like we should have had the game done and dusted in the first half – we let them back in it with the penalty after the break – but the intensity the players showed was fantastic. We deserved the three points and I cannot praise the team enough.

Throughout the game, we felt connected with the fans. You really came out in full force and we will need to continue that synergy, as we aim to pick up more points this afternoon and keep ourselves in contention in the league.

I am very proud of the part the fans play here at LSV. We always feel we have an advantage when we play here,

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and the fans are a special part of that. As a collective we want to turn Leigh Sports Village back into a fortress.

Last weekend, as well as Ella Toone making her 150th club appearance, Maya Le Tissier made her 50th. Maya is a superb talent and for someone so young she shows a lot of maturity for her age. She has already played a lot of league games – not just for us but for today’s opponents Brighton as well.

Maya has the capabilities to be a real leader for this team for years to come. In the last few seasons, I have seen her really develop with the ball and she has grown a lot. Hopefully we will see that translate into the national team as well.

This weekend’s game against Brighton will once again be a challenge – all the games are.

They have quality in attack but we are committed to the energy we want to play with, and we will be hunting our opponents from the first kick. Our team is geared to pick up as many points as possible in this league, and today will be no different.

Enjoy the game and keep your support loud and proud, as always.

31/01/2024 18:21

HEAD COACH 05

UNITED WOMEN

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31/01/2024 18:21

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18/01/2024 08:24

M AT C H P R E V I E W

COUNTDOWN TO KICK-OFF

Marc Skinner leads the post-match huddle following victory against Villa a week ago

Having ended January with a much-needed WSL victory, today is all about maintaining that winning momentum against the Seagulls...

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champions Chelsea. With all of the top three among our opponents with 10 WSL games left to play, anything is still possible in the weeks ahead, but we’ll need to put a long winning run together, while knowing that every team in the top flight has the capability to stop us in our tracks.

Today’s visitors Brighton certainly know a thing or two about that – despite Melissa Phillips’s side only winning three league games from 12 so far this season, one was away to Manchester City in November, while they so nearly beat us in the same month before Rachel Williams nicked an injury-time equaliser. If the Seagulls can win today, they’ll become just the second team ever to beat both Manchester clubs away in the same WSL campaign (along with Chelsea in 2021/22).

Marc Skinner’s Reds are always confident of finding the net – we’ve now scored in each of our last 19 in the WSL, with Nikita Parris making a real impact within that run. Her brace last weekend made it 60 career goals in the WSL,

UNITED WOMEN

Precisely a week on from our last home outing here in Leigh, Marc Skinner’s Reds are back with the same ambition: to pick up three important WSL points in order to keep us in the chase with the three teams at the top.

The Reds kicked off against Villa last Sunday in unfamiliar territory, having just lost successive WSL games for the first time in almost three years, but a professional display against Carla Ward’s side got us back on track. And with Liverpool and Tottenham losing on the same day, we’ve moved three points clear of both teams – although it’s the sides they lost to (Arsenal and Manchester City respectively) who we really want to be competing with, along with current leaders and reigning

01

TIME TO KICK ON

07

31/01/2024 18:23

M AT C H P R E V I E W 08

MARC SKIN N ER A N D ERIK TEN HAG WILL LE AD TH E MUN I C H T R I BU T ES AT TH EI R R E S P ECT I V E L E AG UE G AM ES TODAY including her time with Everton, City and Arsenal, making Keets the fifth-highest scoring player in WSL history. Can she continue her scoring form today, against a side she’s yet to net against while wearing the United shirt?

In team news, Marc Skinner had no fresh injury concerns following the Villa win. Jayde Riviere – who was a doubt for that one after picking up a knock away to Chelsea – returned to the starting XI last Sunday, where she put in an excellent display down the right-hand side. Lisa Naalsund was another to impress, having been given a starting berth, no doubt providing the boss with food for thought when assessing his midfield options today.

Away from the action, with this game falling two days before the 66th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster, United’s players, staff and fans will pay respects to the 23 people who lost their lives on 6 February 1958, the darkest day in the club’s history.

United managers Marc Skinner and Erik ten Hag will lead tributes at their respective league games today, laying commemorative wreaths on behalf of the club shortly before kick-off at both Leigh Sports Village and Old Trafford (2pm kick-off). Players will also wear black armbands, and this will be replicated across United’s youth-team fixtures.

We will never forget.

UNITED WOMEN

All those lost in Munich 66 years ago will be in our thoughts

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ACROSS T LSV hosts the second of six games this weekend. Here’s the lowdown...

After each of the top four won on matchday 12, it’s ‘as you were’ at the summit ahead of the latest round of fixtures, with Chelsea leading both Manchester City and Arsenal by three points and United managing to put a bit of distance down to Liverpool and Tottenham in fifth and sixth respectively.

The bottom half remains tight, with only one point separating seventh and 10th.

Following defeat at Leigh a week ago, Aston Villa slipped to eighth but had a chance to get back to winning ways when this weekend’s games got under way yesterday, as bottom side Bristol City made the trip up the M5 to Villa’s Bescot Stadium.

The Robins lost vital ground in the relegation battle last weekend, losing 2-1 to fellow strugglers West Ham and falling three points adrift, a gap they won’t want to see growing.

For the Hammers, that was just a second WSL win of the season – a first since 8 October when they beat Brighton on the road – and it gave Rehanne Skinner’s side some welcome breathing space above the drop zone. But continuing that positive momentum will be difficult, with Arsenal the visitors to Chigwell Construction Stadium at 12.30pm today. The Gunners were victorious over Liverpool last time out in a 2-0 win, with Vivianne Miedema scoring her first WSL goal since December 2022 in only her second league start since recovering from an ACL injury. It’s nine wins from their last 10 WSL games for the Gunners, and also four straight victories in all competitions since the start of 2024. When Arsenal last met West Ham in November, Jonas Eidevall’s side won 3-0.

Just as the second half gets going at LSV today, Manchester City will kick off against Leicester at City’s Joie Stadium. Things have really clicked

31/01/2024 18:23

WSL PREVIEW

S THE WSL

Miedema was back in the goals for the Gunners last Sunday

for Gareth Taylor’s side since back-to-back WSL defeats to Arsenal and Brighton in November and they are searching for a seventh consecutive WSL win after Tottenham became their latest conquest last weekend. Should they get the win, City will go level on points with leaders Chelsea (and top if they win by two goals) for at least a few hours until

BE ARD’ S WELL-DRILLED LIVERP O OL SIDE HAVE SURPRISINGLY SHIPPED SE VEN GOALS ACROS S THEIR L AST T WO GAMES

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09

UNITED WOMEN

Everton head to Chelsea in today’s late fixture

the reigning champions are in action. But the Foxes only narrowly lost 1-0 in the reverse fixture in October and go into the game with a little momentum of their own after finally breaking a nine-game winless streak in the WSL, Janice Cayman’s long-range strike enough for a 1-0 victory away at Everton last Sunday.

Liverpool or Tottenham have the chance to lay down a marker in their 2pm kick-off at Prenton Park as they battle to keep pace with the top four. Matt Beard’s well-drilled Liverpool side have surprisingly shipped seven goals across their last two WSL games, losing successive league fixtures for the first time this season. As for Spurs, even in a home defeat against City a week ago, the Londoners can take hope from their spirited display, going behind through an own goal, and so nearly making it 1-1 before eventually losing 2-0.

If Chelsea have been leapfrogged by City come their 6.45pm home game against Everton then Emma Hayes’s Blues will expect to show their mettle to retake first place. Nothing is a given in the WSL, but the Toffees are on a three-game losing streak and are the league’s most goal-shy team, finding the net only 10 times in 12 games to date. The Merseysiders could have their work cut out at Kingsmeadow.

31/01/2024 18:23

THIS IS ME www.remington.co.uk/manutd

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21/03/2023 19:29 02/10/2023 22:34

SEVEN DAYS AGO

2 UNITED Parris 7, 33

1 ASTON VILLA Daly pen 60 Women’s Super League Leigh Sports Village, Sun 28 Jan

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11

UNITED WOMEN

ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY: Parris continues her fine form in front of goal, with Keets’ first-half double proving enough to take the points against Villa.

BIG NUMBERS APLENTY: In front of an impressive crowd of 6,347 – higher than the attendance for the Liverpool game here in December – there were some other eye-catching numbers on the field: Ella Toone becoming the first Red to play 150 games; Maya Le Tissier adding her name to the 50-appearance club (that is now 17 players strong).

BLUNDELL PLAYS HER PART: An early goal would set the tone for the Reds in the first half. With Carla Ward’s side looking to clear the ball, Hannah Blundell jumped on a misplaced pass and instinctively sent a first-time cross into the middle. It only needed the

lightest of touches from the head of Parris to send it past keeper Daphne van Domselaar and inside the far post.

KEETS QUICK TO REACT: On 33 minutes, Lucia Garcia creeped into the Villa area and let off a right-footed curler that rattled off the post and back into the path of Parris, who rocketed home her second into a vacated net.

VILLANS UP THEIR GAME: Two-down at the break, Villa responded well after Parris nearly sealed a hat-trick, only for van Domselaar to save well. On the hour mark, Rachel Daly went down after some contact from Garcia while defending a corner, which the referee deemed sufficient enough to award a penalty. Daly stepped up to convert.

DEFENSIVE STRENGTH: With the lead down to one goal, a composed half-hour was needed from Marc Skinner’s side, who restricted a buoyant Villa to a few half-chances – including one from ex-Red Kirsty Hanson – while looking to seize the moment to add to our own tally. And we so nearly did late on when Lisa Naalsund fired from distance, forcing van Domselaar to tip over, but it would remain 2-1 – a ninth win (plus two draws) in 11 meetings with the Villans, and three points secured.

01

REDS REPORT

M AT C H A C T I O N

TIMELINE OF ALL THE RECENT ACTION AND NEWS

Parris is now only five strikes behind the team record for goals in a season (Jess Sigsworth, 18 in 2018/19)

31/01/2024 21:11

L AT E S T N E W S 12

CONTI CUP STATEMENT Manchester United issued the following statement on Monday in light of the FA’s decision to allow Aston Villa to remain in the Continental Tyres League Cup after fielding an ineligible player, progressing at the expense of the Reds: ‘We are very disappointed with this outcome, and do not understand its rationale. We feel that it undermines the integrity of the competition, and of the women’s game.’

Carla Ward’s Villa won their final Group A match 7-0 against Sunderland, but cup-tied Noelle Maritz came on at half-time, despite the Swiss defender having played for former club Arsenal in the competition this season.

With Sunderland awarded the win, they go through as group winners, with Villa now progressing as one of the two best runners-up across the five groups. United, who had been one of the best second-placed sides, are out as our goal difference is worse than Villa’s.

With the last-eight draw made on Monday – having been delayed by three days while an investigation was held – the quarter-finals are scheduled to be played this coming Wednesday and Thursday (7/8 February).

UNITED WOMEN

United finished second in Group B, having taken nine points from four games

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GALTON’S NEW DEAL

Leah Galton has signed a contract extension with the club, it was confirmed on Wednesday.

The Harrogate-born winger joined United in 2018 as part of our inaugural squad and was an integral member of our Championship-winning side of 2018/19. She’s gone on to play 125 games for the Reds, scoring 36 goals.

Upon signing the contract (above), the 29-year-old said: “I’m delighted to continue my journey with Manchester United and want to thank my friends, family and team-mates for their continued support, along with our wonderful fans, who have been great to me throughout my time here.”

Head coach Marc Skinner said: “Leah continues to lead by example, on and off the pitch, and epitomises everything a professional footballer should be. We are delighted to see her commit her future to the club and look forward to many more winning experiences together.”

31/01/2024 21:11

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02/10/2023 22:35

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02/10/2023 22:46

C A P TA I N ' S C O L U M N

ZEL’S NOTES

SKIPPER HOPES L AST SUNDAY’S WIN CAN BE A SPRINGBOARD FOR A VICTORIOUS RUN IN THE WSL, WITH BRIGHTON NEXT UP

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15

Chances went begging when we last played the Seagulls, so we’ll need to be more ruthless today

us, it’s about taking our chances. The away game could have been totally different if we had put our chances away that night so for us building on the first-half performance from last weekend is the main thing. We know that every game between now and the end of the season is going to test us to the max and we have to give it our absolute all to get back into a position to fight for the title and fight for Champions League spots.

UNITED WOMEN

ast weekend was a great result against Aston Villa and we want to emulate that again today. The first half especially, we were really happy with because we played some very good football. That’s the level we want to move to for the rest of the season.

The penalty in the second half wasn’t an ideal situation but the win was the main thing. To take away the three points is always our aim and we wanted to get back to winning ways after the Chelsea and City away games, and hopefully start a strong end to the season.

On top of this, Tooney and Maya both celebrated incredible achievements last weekend. Maya is still so young so to have as many appearances as she has at both Manchester United and Brighton at the age of 21 is credit to her and shows what type of player she is.

As for Tooney, she’s now the first player to reach 150 appearances for the club – her childhood club. Everyone knows she’s a big United fan and that makes it even more special for her.

I’m really proud of Ella and Maya.

We know that Brighton are a good side. We know it is going to be a tough test today, and we saw that from the previous game against them, when we drew 2-2 in November. For

31/01/2024 18:22

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW 16

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31/01/2024 20:30

N I K I TA P A R R I S

ALREADY INTO DOUBLE FIGURES FOR GOALS THIS SEASON, IN-FORM FORWARD NIKITA PARRIS SPEAKS OF BOUNCING BACK FROM ENGLAND DISAPPOINTMENT, AND TELLS US HOW HER AND HER KNOCKOUT SISTER DRIVE EACH OTHER ON...

You always want to get one over on your sibling!

17

INTERVIEW: HELEN ROWE-WILLCOCKS

Nikita, you are United’s top goalscorer so far this season. You must be happy with how you’ve been performing lately...

Definitely. For me personally to get goals – and be in positions to get goals and to ultimately help the team win and compete in games – is something I want to continue to do and get better at. I’m always pushing myself to get better.

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Last summer, you expressed disappointment about not being picked for England’s World Cup squad, saying it made you “even more determined to reach new heights”. Do you feel you’re on the road to doing that?

M U WI NF TC E_ R2 V3 I/ E2 W4

You’re clearly enjoying your football right now...

For me last year was all about understanding the team – understanding my team-mates and them getting used to how I play. That was important.

It always takes time to blend into a group and figure out your role and how you fit into the team.

I think this year everything has clicked together.

Normally it takes longer but for me this year has really clicked and now my team-mates know what to expect from me, where I will be and vice versa.

Your best position is often a matter of debate, whether it’s out wide or in the middle – do you have a preference?

I prefer to play centre-forward. I always wanted to be a centre-forward but it’s just that my attributes mean playing out wide is somewhere I can play as well. If you look at all the teams I’ve played for, I’ve started out wide, followed the same format of then moving positions and moving into the middle.

Last year, I played more wide whereas this year I have mixed it up between the two. But ultimately wherever I am playing, I will do my best to help the team win. I always just want to do my best.

31/01/2024 20:30

N I K I TA P A R R I S 18

I think I’ve definitely stepped up a level in my game. Ultimately all you can do is be the best you can be and I really push myself to be at my best consistently. And I will always push myself to a higher level. A decision that is not my decision and is not up to me ultimately falls on somebody else.

I just concentrate on what I can do to give myself the best possible chance to get selected, whether it is for Manchester United or for England.

How do you deal with disappointment? Does it take time or can you move on quickly? It’s clear your determination is working...

To be honest, it took me a little while to get over.

The World Cup is a massive competition, it’s something we work towards and it obviously only comes round once every four years. It’s one of the only medals I have not won so obviously it was really gutting not to take part. For me I had to go on holiday and take some time away. It almost gave me chance to invest in myself. I took the time to understand where I needed to improve and what I needed to do better because ultimately, that’s what I can control. What can I do to put myself in a better position next time? That’s what I think about and put my focus on.

Is getting back into the England squad always in the back of your mind?

Honestly, no. I am all about performing for Manchester United at this point. That’s my bread and butter week in, week out. Having to perform and stay in the team here. We have an array of talent here and a competitive forward line and that helps me personally because it helps make sure I am not resting on my laurels and getting complacent when there are people vying for positions that are of high quality also.

UNITED WOMEN

I TO OK T H E T I M E TO UN DERSTAN D W H E R E I N EEDED TO I M P ROV E AN D WH AT I N EEDE D TO D O BE T TER , BEC AU S E T H AT ’ S WH AT I C AN C ON T RO L

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With 13 goals in 16 games this season – four of which have come as a substitute – Parris is enjoying a real purple patch for the Reds

Looking at today’s game – we drew against Brighton earlier this season, and Norway international Elisabeth Terland was one of the scorers. How impressed have you been with her strong goalscoring form?

Yes, she is in very good form. She is certainly putting her chances away. She knows her job as a centre-forward, she has to be effective and she has done that so far this season.

Vicky Losada has been making an impact, too...

Definitely. Vicky Losada is a top player. She’s played for some top clubs – Manchester City, Arsenal, Barcelona, and of course for Spain. Her quality is unquestionable and her leadership has only helped Brighton really improve. I think that’s an area where Brighton have lacked in the past – players that know how to win games, know what it takes to win games but also have that game understanding on how to retain a lead. The

31/01/2024 20:30

Helping our young people tell their stories.

FOLLOW ALONG

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31/01/2024 17:59

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02/10/2023 22:50

N I K I TA P A R R I S

Keets has many great memories for England since 2016, but insists United is her “bread and butter”

fundamentals of what they call the dark arts of football. Things like speeding it up, slowing it down, how to get your team back in it, that is what Vicky has helped bring to Brighton. That whole experience, as well as the quality she’s got, has been so important to them.

It won’t be the first time the ex-Arsenal forward has gone up against former team-mate Maria...

FULL NAME Nikita Josephine Parris DATE OF BIRTH 10 March 1994

PLACE OF BIRTH Liverpool YOUTH CAREER Everton

INTERNATIONAL CAREER England 71 caps/17 goals Great Britain 4 caps/0 goals

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21

Away from football, for those who don’t know, your sister is boxer Natasha Jonas. She recently retained her IBF welterweight title, beating Mikaela Mayer in Liverpool. It was a great fight – you obviously watched it?

I did, and I screamed so loud at the end! It was an unbelievable fight – I’d have to say though, Mikaela Mayer did herself proud. She gave it her all, especially in the latter rounds. I think Tasha just landed the better punches for sure and was just a little bit more experienced in the moments she needed to, when the referee was looking and where the punches landed. She has done really, really well and I’m so proud of her.

Do you spend time talking through each other’s disciplines? When you were at the start of your careers, did you ever think you’d both become such big sporting stars?

M U WI NF TC E_ R2 V3 I/ E2 W4

SENIOR CAREER 2010-16 Everton 56 games, 21 goals 2015-19 Manchester City 127 games, 62 goals 2019-21 Olympique Lyonnais 53 games, 33 goals 2021-22 Arsenal 38 games, 6 goals 2022- Manchester United 43 games, 22 goals

There are a couple of familiar names in the Brighton squad. It will be nice to see Sophie Baggaley and Maria Thorisdottir again...

It will. They were both exemplary team-mates.

You couldn’t fault them in their effort, the camaraderie we had as a team and the quality that they have. Ultimately, they have moved on but they were amazing team-mates and on top of that they were top-quality people as well.

31/01/2024 20:30

N I K I TA P A R R I S In the right place at the right time to give us the lead against Villa last Sunday

Two-weight world champion Natasha is a big sister Nikita has immense love and respect for

22

The hard graft to improve never stops for the 29-year-old

TASH A H A S H A D A C H I L D A ND IS ST ILL C O M P E T ING AT TH E TOP. S H E ’ S S U C H A N INS P IR AT IO N, A ND IT SH OWS YOU C A N G E T BAC K TO YO U R B E ST. IF YO U GE T KN O C KED D OW N , YO U C A N A LWAYS G E T B AC K U P

UNITED WOMEN

No is the honest answer. I think ultimately we just wanted to be the best. That’s what pushed us so far in our disciplines. We always wanted to compete against the best, even from a young age.

We were never scared to compete and go up against people who were perceived to be better than us and I think that is what has really helped us in our careers. Obviously as well as this, Tasha has had a child and come back and is still competing at the top. She is such an inspiration for me – she’s so inspirational. It just shows that you can get back to your best. If you get knocked down, you can always get back up.

Listening to you talk, it’s so clear that you are very supportive of each other, but we bet there’s a little bit of competitiveness too?

Oh yeah, especially if we are playing other sports!

If we are playing tennis or table tennis or pool –

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that’s just the competitive nature of an athlete I think. There is that and then there’s the fact you always want to get one over on your sibling!

Let’s finish by looking ahead to the rest of the campaign. We’ve talked about how your season has been going but what’s your aim for the months ahead – have you set any targets?

I don’t really set specific targets, so to speak. I take it game by game rather than set myself targets like a certain amount of goals. Ultimately for me when I am in the right zones to get the ball and attack and I am taking my chances that’s how I assess.

Making sure that I have the energy to keep the team in the game and keep pressing, that is what is important. The quality on the ball and making sure I create chances for my team-mates, for me they are the little things that can make the difference.

31/01/2024 20:30

Here for blowing warm breath .sdnainto h gnfreezing izeerf othands. ni htaerb mraw gniwolb rof ereH Here for watching.sdown dnatsthe ehtpub, ni roat ,ehome, moh taor ,buinpthe ehtstands. nwod gnihctaw rof ereH Here for the clack clack of the turnstile. .elitsnrut eht fo kcalc kcalc eht rof ereH And the smell of fried onions, .ellet’s ihw aqueue eueuqa swhile. ’tel ,snoino deirf fo llems eht dnA Here for the last-minute .erapdramas, moc nacnothing gnihtoncan ,sacompare. mard etunim-tsal eht rof ereH And for the moments you .’esay: reht‘you eb ohad t dahtoube oy‘there’ :yas u.oy stnemom eht rof dnA Here for the legends who paved the.yway. aw eht devap ohw sdnegel eht rof ereH Here for the rivalries, and derby day. .yad ybred dna ,seirlavir eht rof ereH Here for the girls knowing they can .ooplay t yalptoo. nac yeht gniwonk slrig eht rof ereH And the WSL pulling in crowds of 59,042. .240,95 fo sdworc ni gnillup LSW eht dnA Here for the little baller in an oversized .trihs dshirt. ezisrevo na ni rellab elttil eht rof ereH And for the footwells covered in dirt. .trid ni derevoc sllewtoof eht rof dnA

.yaw eht devap ohw sdnegel eht rof ereH .yad ybred dna ,seirlavir eht rof ereH .oot yalp nac yeht gniwonk slrig eht rof ereH .240,95 fo sdworc ni gnillup LSW eht dnA .trihs dezisrevo na ni rellab elttil eht rof ereH .trid ni derevoc sllewtoof eht rof dnA

Her for coaching,.gplaying, nitroppu reffing, s ,gninchampioning, oipmahc ,gnffisupporting. er ,gniyalp ,gnihcaoc rof reH Him for standing .gnihctup awfor s’eher no-when on ro everyone, ,enoyreve or neno-one’s hw reh rowatching. f pu gnidnats rof miH Here for the blue, the red, the rainbow..wobniar eht ,der eht ,eulb eht rof ereH And for our Community .worg emaFootball g eht gnFund ipleh d helping nuF llabthe toogame F ytinugrow. mmoC ruo rof dnA Here for creating equal access in .slour oohschools. cs ruo ni ssecca lauqe gnitaerc rof ereH Here for determined girls .”seshattering lur“ detadtoutdated uo gnirett“rules”. ahs slrig denimreted rof ereH From schools to stadiums, we’re .llahere ti roffor ereithall. er’ew ,smuidats ot sloohcs morF

Here for the Land of .llaFootball. btooF fo dnaL eht rof ereH

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.sdnats eht ni ro ,emoh ta ,bup eht nwod gnihctaw rof ereH .elitsnrut eht fo kcalc kcalc eht rof ereH .elihw a eueuq s’tel ,snoino deirf fo llems eht dnA .erapmoc nac gnihton ,samard etunim-tsal eht rof ereH .’ereht eb ot dah uoy‘ :yas uoy stnemom eht rof dnA

.rehtegot seitinummoc gnignirb rof ereH .retteb sgniht sekam ot gnikrow sreetnulov eht rof ereH .emag lufituaeb eht fo slevel lla rof ereH .emaflni ot detsop stnemmoc eht rof ton tuB .yawa dna emoh ,elkcat yreve ,slaog esoht rof ereH .”yalp“ eht osla tub noititepmoc eht rof ereH

.gnitroppus ,gninoipmahc ,gnffier ,gniyalp ,gnihcaoc rof reH .gnihctaw s’eno-on ro ,enoyreve nehw reh rof pu gnidnats rof miH .wobniar eht ,der eht ,eulb eht rof ereH .worg emag eht gnipleh dnuF llabtooF ytinummoC ruo rof dnA .sloohcs ruo ni ssecca lauqe gnitaerc rof ereH .”selur“ detadtuo gnirettahs slrig denimreted rof ereH

.lla ti rof ereh er’ew ,smuidats ot sloohcs morF

.llabtooF fo dnaL eht rof ereH

Here for bringing communities together. .rehtegot seitinummoc gnignirb rof ereH Here for the volunteers .rettworking eb sgnihto t smakes ekam othings t gnikrbetter. ow sreetnulov eht rof ereH Here for all levels of the beautiful game. .emag lufituaeb eht fo slevel lla rof ereH But not for the comments posted .emto aflinflame. ni ot detsop stnemmoc eht rof ton tuB Here for those goals, every .yatackle, wa dnahome emohand ,elkaway. cat yreve ,slaog esoht rof ereH Here for the competition but also .”ythe alp““play”. eht osla tub noititepmoc eht rof ereH

18/01/2024 08:21

Manchester United Home 23/24

© 2023 adidas AG

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28/09/2023 16:23 02/10/2023 22:47

Master Lego builder?

Maybe one day!

S A F I A M I D D L E T O N - P AT E L

MY… HEAD SPACE

AHEAD OF HER LOAN TO WATFORD, SAFIA MIDDLETON-PATEL TELLS US ALL ABOUT THE CALMING BENEFITS OF LITTLE BRICKS...

For some people their ‘therapy’ is talking.

For others it’s reading, or drawing. For me, it’s building Lego. I’ve always been into it. I’m a huge Harry Potter fan – I’ve even got a tattoo – so the Lego sets linked to Harry Potter are my favourites.

There are a lot of them, but I’m slowly working my way through them, saving up for the next one. I got Diagon Alley for my 16th birthday – that was the best day ever – and I’ve recently bought the Gringotts Bank set. It’s crazy how many bricks are involved in it, and the level of detail is unreal.

I managed to acquire Jess Simpson, Leah Galton and Rachel Williams into our ‘Lego club’ – there’s a table upstairs in the players’ lounge for people to smash their way through it. Anyone is welcome to sit and build but we’ve generally been left to it. A lot has been built and it would be nice to get some shelving to display it.

If I wasn’t a footballer, my dream job would be a master Lego builder, definitely. Maybe one day after I hang up my goalie gloves!

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One set that’s on Saf’s wish list...just the 3,898 pieces!

UNITED WOMEN

I n t e r v i e w : A da m Bo s t o c k

One set I’d love to get is the Old Trafford one, but it’s retired now so it’s hard to get hold of.

People buy sets knowing it’ll become a collector’s item one day, which that one definitely is already.

32 95

31/01/2024 18:18

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31/01/2024 18:19

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31/01/2024 18:19

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02/10/2023 22:46

Happy 11th birthday Jameel.

Lots of love, Mum, Mummy and Scarlett.

FAN PHOTOS

FAN GALLERY

SEND YOUR PHOTOS AND MESSAGES TO MUWOMENFAMILY@MANUTD.CO.UK

Happy 15th birthday Evie – we all hope you have the best day.

Layla-Jean is here to celebrate her ninth birthday, with her Mum, best mate Molly and Helena.

29

01

‘Bring on United!’ say Reds Alyssa, Esme and Lola.

Here’s Phoebe, who is here with her friend Katie – it’s a first live match for them both. Enjoy it!

MEET THE MASCOTS WHO'LL BE WALKING THE REDS OUT TODAY? Name: Grace Age: 10 Favourite player: Mary Earps

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UNITED WOMEN

Alice and Harriet would like to wish a happy birthday to their big sister Alexandra, who is 14 on 9 February.

Name: Ruby Age: 12 Favourite player: Ella Toone

31/01/2024 18:19

THE 30

LSV HALF CENTURY

D I D YOU KNOW, L AST SUNDAY ’ S F I X TUR E AGAINST ASTON V ILL A WA S THE R EDS’ 5 0 t h WIN AT O UR P R IMARY HOME? HOW M A N Y OF THEM WER E YOU H ERE TO WITNES S ?

WORDS: CHARLIE GHAGAN

UNITED WOMEN 30-37 Last LSV feature.CGSMIM.indd 30

31/01/2024 18:20

FIFTY WINS IN LEIGH

WIN 1 20 SEPTEMBER 2018

v SHEFFIELD UNITED 3-0 (CHAMPIONSHIP) ATT: 2,003

ZELEM 12 (pen), HANSON 40, ARNOT 64

Zel’s on the spot for a landmark strike for United Women

Close to a month after our historic maiden LSV outing ended in a 2-0 loss to Reading in the Conti Cup, a first league game here yielded three goals and three points for Casey Stoney’s fledgling side.

And it was Katie Zelem who scored our first-ever goal at the stadium, from the spot after Lauren James was fouled in the Blades’ area with just a dozen minutes on the clock. If you were here on that Thursday night as a group of four, thanks so much for pushing the crowd over the 2,000 mark!

WIN 2 14 OCTOBER 2018, ATT: 2,349 v CHARLTON ATHLETIC 3-0 (CHAMPIONSHIP)

ZELEM 16, SIGSWORTH 57, ARNOT 75

WIN 3 4 NOVEMBER 2018, ATT: 2,367 v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 4-1 (CHAMPIONSHIP)

JAMES 10, SIGSWORTH 19, 41, DEVLIN 81

(CHAMPIONSHIP)

JAMES 16, GREEN 32, 38, 49, ZELEM 36, TOONE 58, SIGSWORTH 71, GREENWOOD 79 (pen)

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WIN 5 5 DECEMBER 2018, ATT: 686 v DURHAM 1-0 (CONTI CUP) GREEN 1

Not many were here to see this League Cup battle with perennial first-season pains Durham – outside of the Covid-era it’s our second-smallest home crowd (see win 18 for the lowest) – but those who did make it witnessed a small slice of history... well, unless you got here a minute late, that is.

With 32 seconds gone, Mollie Green latched on to Jess Sigsworth’s pass to fire home her 10th goal of the season (above). It proved to be the winner, and it remains our quickest goal ever scored at home.

UNITED WOMEN

WIN 4 25 NOVEMBER 2018, ATT: 1,467 v MILLWALL LIONESSES 8-0

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31/01/2024 18:20

WIN 6 6 JANUARY 2019, ATT: 1,889 v LONDON BEES 9-0 (CHAMPIONSHIP) DEVLIN 2, 56, TOONE 29, 66, ARNOT 40, GREEN 42, JAMES 68, 72, ZELEM 78 (pen)

WIN 7 9 JANUARY 2019, ATT: 1,029 v WEST HAM UNITED 2-0 (CONTI CUP) LONGHURST 17 (og), SIGSWORTH 53

WIN 8 10 MARCH 2019: ATT: 1,554 v LEICESTER CITY 6-1 (CHAMPIONSHIP) GREEN 17, JAMES 22, HANSON 44, TOONE 48, SIGSWORTH 67, 84

M TURNER 6, GREENWOOD 21 (pen), SIGSWORTH 35, TOONE 49, DEVLIN 73

WIN 10 20 APRIL 2019, ATT: 2,112 v CRYSTAL PALACE 7-0 (CHAMPIONSHIP) JAMES 9, 83, 85, 90, ARNOT 33, GALTON 35, SIGSWORTH 46

BREAKING DOWN THE 50 WINS / WIN PERCENTAGE AT LSV, BY SEASON

11

50

(WSL)

8

JAMES 71, ZELEM 90+5 (pen)

9 games played 2023/24 (from here – 55.6 win %)

(from 13 games played

2022/23 here – 84.6 win %)

(from 13 games played

5 2021/22 here – 61.5 win %)

12 games played 2020/21 (from here – 58.3 win %)

(from 12 games played

2019/20 here – 66.7 win %)

13 games played 2018/19 (from here – 84.6 win %)

UNITED WOMEN

TOTAL

7

What joy the final few weeks of 2018/19 brought us, when every LSV trip signalled a party, as we sat in our sunnies witnessing the 5-0 v Villa to win promotion; the 7-0 v Palace to confirm the title, and finally the 5-0 v Lewes, where we all revelled at the sight of the trophy and the ticker tape in front of the West Stand. ‘We want seven!’ cheered the fans in the final minutes as we chased 100 goals in the league – Amy Turner racing back with the ball after making it 5-0 as if our season depended on it! We had to make do with 98 – exactly 50 of which came in just nine LSV league outings.

WIN 12 28 SEPTEMBER 2019, ATT: 2,813 v LIVERPOOL 2-0

11 8

v LEWES 5-0 (CHAMPIONSHIP) JAMES 12, SIGSWORTH 34, GALTON 68, PALMER 75, A TURNER 79

WIN 9 17 APRIL 2019, ATT: 1,401 v ASTON VILLA 5-0 (CHAMPIONSHIP)

32

WIN 11 11 MAY 2019, ATT: 3,702

WIN 13 20 OCTOBER 2019, ATT: 4,042 v MANCHESTER CITY 2-0 (CONTI CUP)

ZELEM 7, SIGSWORTH 54

WIN 14 27 OCTOBER 2019, ATT: 1,997 v READING 2-0 (WSL)

HANSON 16, SIGSWORTH 85 from 72 played here – 69.4 win % (Conti Cup shoot-out wins recorded as draws)

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31/01/2024 18:21

v LEICESTER CITY 11-1

WIN 19 19 JANUARY 2020, ATT: 1,836 v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3-0 (WSL) ZELEM 58 (pen), 87, SIGSWORTH 65

(CONTI CUP)

SIGSWORTH 2, ARNOT 7, TOONE 21, 43, 45, 73, 87, SMITH 40, ROSS 70, LADD 83, JAMES 90+1

We’ve hit eight (once) and nine (once) at LSV, but this is the only time we’ve reached double figures (although we did famously score 12 away at Villa).

It was a much-changed team also, with Lotta Okvist, at full-back, and Aurora Mikalsen (making her only Reds appearance in goal) among those in the starting XI. Toone claimed a personal-best haul of five, while Kirsty Smith got her only goal in 58 games for us. Such has been the increased professionalism of the women’s game since then – even stretching down to the third tier – will we ever see such a result again here? Probably not.

WIN 20 4 OCTOBER 2020, ATT: N/A v BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 3-0 (WSL) TOONE 9 (pen), RUSSO 69, ROSS 90+2

LSV HALF-CENTURY

WIN 15 21 NOVEMBER 2019, ATT: 1,127

WIN 21 8 NOVEMBER 2020, ATT: N/A v ARSENAL 1-0 (WSL) TOONE 83

It was the only time this 11 took to the field together, and they scored 11!

WIN 16 24 NOVEMBER 2019, ATT: 1,707 v BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 4-0

It’s easy to forget how unstoppable we were for much of 2020/21, with eight wins and two draws from our first 10 games leaving us coasting in top spot come the turn of the year, before a stuttering few months saw us stumble to fourth. Amid that unbeaten start, this was the day the wider public began to take us seriously as WSL contenders: a first-ever league win against one of the big guns, ending Arsenal’s 100 per cent record in the process.

No fans were here to see it, but there was plenty of real noise when Ella Toone won it late on (above)!

(WSL)

WIN 22 20 DECEMBER 2020, ATT: N/A v BRISTOL CITY 6-1 (WSL)

JAMES 10, GALTON 29, 67, ZELEM 87 (pen)

GALTON 26, 63, M TURNER 45+2,

33

SIGSWORTH 52, HEATH 83, 86

WIN 17 8 DECEMBER 2019, ATT: 1,805 v EVERTON 3-1 (WSL)

WIN 23 24 JANUARY 2021, ATT: N/A v BIRMINGHAM CITY 2-0 (WSL) GALTON 46, TOONE 81

WIN 18 15 JANUARY 2020, ATT: 642 v BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2-1 (CONTI CUP)

WIN 24 7 MARCH 2021, ATT: N/A v ASTON VILLA 3-0 (WSL)

McMANUS 13, ROSS 75

HANSON 27, SIGSWORTH 43, ZELEM 73

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UNITED WOMEN

JAMES 4, 45, ZELEM 11 (pen)

31/01/2024 18:21

LSV HALF-CENTURY

WIN 25 25 APRIL 2021, ATT: N/A v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 4-1 (WSL)

WIN 30 15 JANUARY 2022, ATT: 1,015 v BIRMINGHAM CITY 5-0 (WSL)

TOONE 9, 48 (pen), PRESS 19, SIGSWORTH 31

ZELEM 12, GALTON 16, 18, RAMSEY 45 (og), RUSSO 71

WIN 26 9 MAY 2021, ATT: N/A v EVERTON 2-0 (WSL)

WIN 31 23 JANUARY 2022, ATT: 1,519 v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3-0

TOONE 6, HANSON 89

(WSL)

BOE RISA 38, LADD 42, GALTON 62 So long, empty stadiums!

A moving night in WN7

WIN 32 5 MARCH 2022, ATT: 1,103 v LEICESTER CITY 4-0 (WSL)

THOMAS 17, RUSSO 30, ZELEM 59, 63

WIN 27 3 SEPTEMBER 2021, ATT: 2,111 34

WIN 33 3 APRIL 2022, ATT: 1,524 v BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1-0 (WSL)

v READING 2-0 (WSL)

GALTON 68

HANSON 39, BATLLE 54

WIN 34 1 MAY 2022, ATT: 2,546 v WEST HAM UNITED 3-0

There’s always a tingle in the air at the start of a new season, but this was something else: the return of fans after 583 long days away from LSV. No wonder the MUW supporters’ club – having just rebranded from the ‘Barmy Army’ to reflect their growth – were in such fine voice for a Friday night under the lights. And we had a new boss in Marc Skinner. And this was the first-ever WSL game live on Sky, as part of the new broadcast deal. And – perhaps most importantly – we won a game of football, with Ona Batlle’s brilliantly worked goal confirming Skinner’s winning start.

WIN 28 17 NOVEMBER 2021, ATT: 2,369 v MANCHESTER CITY 2-1 (CONTI CUP) UNITED WOMEN

FUSO 30, BATLLE 82

(WSL)

THOMAS 12, FISK 20 (og), GALTON 49

WIN 35 17 SEPTEMBER 2022, ATT: 5,315 v READING 4-0 (WSL) LE TISSIER 4, 25, ZELEM 14 (pen), RUSSO 35

WIN 36 16 OCTOBER 2022, ATT: 3,685 v BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 4-0 (WSL)

TOONE 14, 26, GALTON 40, LEON 78

WIN 37 7 DECEMBER 2022, ATT: 1,519 v EVERTON 4-2 (CONTI CUP) BOE RISA 1, 20, WILLIAMS 12, MOORE 27

WIN 29 19 DECEMBER 2021, ATT: 1,001 v ASTON VILLA 5-0 (WSL) TOONE 8, 79, ZELEM 13 (pen),

WIN 38 18 DECEMBER 2022, ATT: 1,273 v SHEFFIELD UNITED 4-0 (CONTI CUP)

STANIFORTH 50, THOMAS 73

LEON 12, 44, WILSON 51 (og), THOMAS 63

30-37 Last LSV feature.CGSMIM.indd 34

31/01/2024 18:21

v LIVERPOOL 6-0 (WSL)

GARCIA 6, RUSSO 24, LADD 41, KOIVISTO 63 (og), THOMAS 72, WILLIAMS 84

Our biggest WSL win (home or away) came here just over a year ago

SECOND HOMES WE’VE HOSTED A GAME ELSEWHERE SIX TIMES – PICKING UP FIVE WSL WINS...

17.02.19

Although we were favourites to win this first meeting with our big inter-city rivals in over two years, few of the then-record crowd for a United game at LSV would have predicted this scoreline.

Lucia Garcia got things going after just six minutes (sparking the creation of her great chant about her causing ‘the Scousers pain’) and the goals continued at a steady pace as we kept finding space down the right of the pitch. With 6-0 also being the ‘shots on target’ stats, seldom have we been as efficient at both ends of the pitch as we were on this day, with the win moving us to within touching distance of Chelsea at the top.

WIN 40 26 FEBRUARY 2023, ATT: 1,461 v DURHAM 5-0 (WOMEN’S FA CUP) BOE RISA 42, GALTON 53, BLUNDELL 67,

LSV HALF-CENTURY

WIN 39 15 JANUARY 2023, ATT: 7,666

35

RUSSO 78, PARRIS 88

WIN 41 5 MARCH 2023, ATT: 3,623 v LEICESTER CITY 5-1 (WSL)

UNITED 3 - 0 LONDON BEES

RUSSO 15, 36, 53, GALTON 64, GARCIA 84

27.03.21

WIN 42 15 APRIL 2023, ATT: 4,096 v BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 3-2

(EWEN FIELDS, WOMEN’S FA CUP, ATT: 838)

UNITED 2 - 0 WEST HAM (OLD TRAFFORD, WSL, ATT: N/A)

27.03.22

UNITED 3 - 1 EVERTON (OLD TRAFFORD, WSL, ATT: 20,241)

03.12.22

GALTON 46, RUSSO 71, WILLIAMS 89

WIN 43 19 APRIL 2023, ATT: 6,658 v ARSENAL 1-0 (WSL) RUSSO 45+6

(OLD TRAFFORD, WSL, ATT: 30,196)

25.03.23

UNITED 4 - 0 WEST HAM (OLD TRAFFORD, WSL, ATT: 27,919)

WIN 44 7 MAY 2023, ATT: 5,796 V TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3-0 (WSL)

GALTON 32, RUSSO 35, PARRIS 53

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UNITED WOMEN

UNITED 5 - 0 ASTON VILLA

(WOMEN’S FA CUP)

31/01/2024 18:21

CALLING FUTURE BALLERS Football sessions for girls aged 12 to 14 who want to play their way.

SCAN HERE TO #FindYourSquad

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02/10/2023 22:50

v NEWCASTLE UNITED 5-0

Pure elation swept through the stadium

WIN 45 21 MAY 2023, ATT: 7,864

v MANCHESTER CITY 2-1 (WSL) LADD 2, GARCIA 90+1

If anyone went to the effort of measuring decibels following goal celebrations here (no doubt an app now exists for that sort of thing), surely Lucia’s derby winner last May would top that particular metric. A sixth straight WSL win would take the title fight to the last day, and in the most dramatic fashion as she fired home in injury-time... ¡Bravo!

(WOMEN’S FA CUP)

TOONE 28, PARRIS 37, 55, WILLIAMS 71, MALARD 90+1

We always enjoy facing a new opponent – PSG being the 23rd side we’ve played (home or away) since we were reformed in 2018, with third-tier Newcastle being the 24th. And how the Magpies helped create a proper cup atmosphere, even after the hosts began to turn the screw in the second half. Here’s hoping for some more FA Cup occasions like this one in the months ahead, as we chase that first piece of major silverware.

LSV HALF-CENTURY

WIN 49 14 JANUARY 2024, ATT: 4,731

WIN 46 9 NOVEMBER 2023, ATT: 1,804 v EVERTON 7-0 (CONTI CUP) PARRIS 28, 69, 78, WILLIAMS 30, LADD 57, GEYSE 84, GALTON 89

37

WIN 47 12 NOVEMBER 2023, ATT: 4,396 v WEST HAM UNITED 5-0 (WSL) GEYSE 3, TURNER 42, PARRIS 45+1, GARCIA 88, MALARD 90

WIN 48 14 DECEMBER 2023, ATT: 2,068 v LEICESTER CITY 3-1 (CONTI CUP) GARCIA 2, NAALSUND 20, ZELEM 65 (pen)

Rachel Williams takes a leap after putting us four goals up

WIN 50 28 JANUARY 2024, ATT 6,347 v ASTON VILLA 2-1 (WSL) PARRIS 7, 33

30-37 Last LSV feature.CGSMIM.indd 37

UNITED WOMEN

There’s no place quite like home...

And so for no.50 – last week’s morale-booting WSL win.

So much has changed in the women’s game since that first win here against Sheffield United, but some things have remained the same – we’re talking Toone, Turner and Zelem, who all started both games, played 64 months apart, and who’ve featured in more LSV wins than any other players. Here’s to the next 50!

31/01/2024 18:21

UNITED TO DELIVER EXCELLENCE DXC supports the Reds on and off the pitch connecting with fans and the community through technology.

Discover more in the Manchester United App.

DXC.com

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02/10/2023 22:34

“DAD WOULD BE SO PROUD” Rachel Viollet, daughter of United legend and Munich survivor Dennis, speaks to Street Reds participants ahead of emotional Foundation trip

for their trip, the participants attended a workshop at the Old Trafford museum, where they had the opportunity to hear from Rachel Viollet, daughter of legendary striker Dennis Viollet.

The talk was a chance to educate the youngsters not only about a player who is something of an unsung hero, but also of a Munich survivor, and one who showed incredible determination and resilience to rebuild his life.

Rachel, a former sportswoman herself having played tennis professionally, spoke to

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See mufoundation.org for more

39

UNITED WOMEN

The anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster is a poignant occasion for all associated with Manchester United, and that is no different at the Foundation.

As such, a group of young people from the Foundation’s Street Reds community projects will make the trip to Munich on Monday to commemorate the 66th anniversary of the tragedy.

The youngsters will also enjoy an enriching cultural experience in the city, including a rooftop football match with local youth group Bundkicktgut. In readiness

participants about her dad’s journey to the men’s first team, his distinguished United career and, of course, life after Munich.

“My dad would be so proud to know about this trip and how such a positive legacy has been forged from something so tragic,” Rachel told us after her talk. “Just like the kids I spoke to, Dennis was a young person from Manchester looking to achieve his dreams with the help of United – I hope they found that connection inspiring.”

Dennis’s life after United was equally inspirational, emigrating to the United States and playing an influential role in the growth of the women’s game. As Rachel told the participants: “My dad always believed girls deserved the same opportunities as boys and loved to coach them – he always said they listened better than the boys! He coached girls from youth stages all the way up to collegiate level where he was the manager of the women’s team at the University of North Florida. I even remember him giving a clinic to the high school team I played on – I was so proud having him there.

“He’d be thrilled to see United now represented by its own women’s team,” she added.

“In fact, I think he would have loved to have managed them!”

M U F O U N D AT I O N

Right: Dennis scored 179 goals in 293 games for United. Below: Rachel talks to the group (left)

31/01/2024 21:10

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION WORDS: JAMIE SPENCER

Lining up for last weekend’s meeting with the champions at the Seagulls’ Sussex home

40

UNITED WOMEN

Defeat to Chelsea last weekend was Brighton’s seventh in 12 WSL games this season, yet the Seagulls’ head coach Melissa Phillips was keen to focus on the positives of the performance from a team that’s taken points off United and beaten Manchester City in recent months.

Phillips’ side frustrated Chelsea for 45 minutes at Broadfield Stadium – ex-Red Sophie Baggaley making her 100th WSL appearance in goal – and the damage was done in the space of just a few minutes straight after half-time when the Blues scored twice. With Brighton then chasing the game, Chelsea would make it three, but on the whole Phillips called it a “fantastic performance”.

Brighton’s WSL status was secured last season by results overseen by Phillips in April and May, and there’s no question they have improved under her stewardship – with 10 games left in 2023/24, they are only five points shy of their tally for all of 2022/23. A more stable environment has been a big help, when previous managerial changes had

40-41_oppo spread Brighton.CGIM.indd 38

seen control handed from Hope Powell, to interim Amy Merricks, then Jens Scheuer and back to Merricks until Phillips was hired. On the pitch, eight players have started 10 or more WSL fixtures this term. Ever-present ex-Red Maria Thorisdottir has formed a solid centre-back partnership with fellow Norwegian Guro Bergsvand, and while there is still work to be done defensively as a team, they are far more resilient than last term, when they became the first team in WSL history to concede more than 60 goals and avoid relegation.

Up front, Elisabeth Terland is flying. Although Brighton rely heavily on their no.11 – she’s scored almost 70 per cent of Brighton’s WSL output – others have netted key goals: Katie Robinson got the late winner against Bristol City, Lee Geum-min put City to the sword, Bergsvand claimed the 89th-minute header against us and Pauline Bremer broke the deadlock in the earlier fixture against Chelsea. But no one beyond Terland has more than a single league goal to their name.

31/01/2024 21:10

THE VISITORS

LAST LINE-UP v CHELSEA (HOME, WSL) 27.1.24

BAGGALEY

BERGSVAND

SPANISH SKIPPER

THORISDOTTIR

KULLBERG

VICKY LOSADA A statement summer signing, the former Barcelona captain is back in the WSL after previous spells at Arsenal and Manchester City. She was handed the armband by Phillips shortly before the season began and the 32-year-old brings a wealth of experience to the squad as a winner of trophies in three different countries, including the Champions League with Barça in 2021 and Serie A with Roma in 2023.

LOSADA

BREMER

PATTINSON OLME

TERLAND

PINTO

SARRI

SUBS USED: SYMONDS, ROBINSON, LEE, DENT

41

LEADING SCORER

HEAD COACH

ELISABETH TERLAND

MELISSA PHILLIPS

A former team-mate of Lisa Naalsund at Brann in her native Norway, Terland has found new heights this season after already recording an impressive debut campaign with Brighton in 2022/23. The 22-year-old has netted nine times in 12 WSL games so far, with only Khadija Shaw and Lauren James ahead of her in the Golden Boot race.

The 36-year-old’s first game in charge was the thrilling 3-2 FA Cup defeat to United in April. The American, who guided London City Lionesses to a second-place finish in the Championship during two-and-a-half years in charge, had briefly returned stateside last year as an assistant coach at Angel City before landing Brighton’s top job.

at the Post Office’s

Norwegian (3) the second

and Man City more times.

telephone exchange.

most common nationality

● We’ve beaten Brighton

● The club was founded

● Thirteen countries are

after English (5).

nine times – their only

in 1967 as Brighton

represented in their

● This is our 13th meeting

win was a 1-0 victory at

GPO, created by workers

cosmopolitan squad, with

– we’ve only faced Everton

Broadfield Stadium in 2021.

40-41_oppo spread Brighton.CGIM.indd 39

UNITED WOMEN

THE KNOWLEDGE

31/01/2024 21:10

FACT S AND FUN NIES WIT H THE UNI TED MAS COT

‘GULLS GIRLS

THREE CURRENT REDS LOVE SCORING AGAINST BRIGHTON!

42

LEAH GALTON

(INCLUDING FIVE IN THE LAST FIVE MEETINGS!)

7

ELLA TOONE

(OPENED THE SCORING EARLIER THIS SEASON!)

GOALS

3

GOALS

RACHEL WILLIAMS

UNITED WOMEN

GUESS THE RED

IDENTIFY THESE THREE MYSTERY PL AYERS FROM OUR TRIP TO BRIGHTON EARLIER IN THE CAMPAIGN…

3

GOALS

(NETTED IN EACH OF THE LAST THREE GAMES!)

1

3 2

Answers: 1. Hinata Miyazawa; 2. Geyse; 3. Hannah Blundell 42-44 Brighton kids section CGIM.indd 1

31/01/2024 21:43

K I D S ' PAG E S

PUZZLECAN TIME! YOU

FIL L IN ALL THE GA PS TO COM PLE TE THE CR OSS WO RD ?

1

2

3 4

5

6 44 345

7 8

ACROSS

2. How many times did we play Brighton last season?

5. Complete our opponents’ full name: Brighton and Hove ______.

8. The surname of the player who scored our late equaliser v Brighton in November.

1. Our opponents play in blue and _____.

3. What is Brighton’s nickname?

6. B righton’s former Red, Maria Thorisdottir, is from which country?

7. W hich competition began for the Reds last month, against Newcastle?

UNITED WOMEN

4. The position of former Brighton player Maya Le Tissier.

DOWN

Answers: Across – 2. Three; 4. Defender; 5. Albion; 8. Williams; Down – 1. White; 3. Seagulls; 6. Norway; 7. FA Cup 42-44 Brighton kids section CGIM.indd 2

31/01/2024 21:43

K I D S ' PAG E S

OPPO QUIZ _>

IDENTIFY THESE TEAMS WE’RE SET TO PLAY LATER THIS SEASON

1

WE BEAT THEM 5-0 AT LSV IN NOVEMBER, AND THEY LIKE TO SING ABOUT BUBBLES!

2

WEARING RED SHIRTS AND BLACK SHORTS, THEIR HOME IS ON THE SOUTH COAST

3

THEY USED TO BE KNOWN AS ‘THE VIXENS’, BUT NOW THEY’RE CALLED ‘THE ROBINS’

HITS DIFFERENT! BRIGHTON’S LAST VISIT TO LSV WAS A FAMOUS ONE…

BUT CAN YOU SPOT THE FIVE CHANGES WE’VE MADE TO THE BELOW PHOTO? 44

AND NOW... ANSWER THESE POSERS ABOUT THE GAME PICTURED ABOVE! UNITED WOMEN

1. WHAT CUP COMPETITION WAS THIS FIXTURE IN?

2. WHAT WAS THE FINAL SCORE: 3-0, 3-1 OR 3-2 TO THE REDS?

3. GALTON IS PICTURED SCORING OUR FIRST GOAL, BUT WHO FAMOUSLY GOT THE WINNER IN THE 89TH MINUTE?

ANSWERS – Oppo quiz: 1. West Ham United; 2. Southampton; 3. Bristol City ○ Spot the difference: One Brighton player has white shorts; sleeve badge on goalkeeper deleted; far more fans at top section of stand, football has moved position; bob on Leah’s hair is missing ○ And now... posers: 1. Women’s FA Cup; 2. 3-2 to United; 3. Rachel Williams

42-44 Brighton kids section CGIM.indd 3

31/01/2024 21:43

WHERE

GREATNESS LIVES

WOMENSLEAGUES.THEFA.COM

AD TEMPLATE.indd 1

02/10/2023 22:52

Here for blowing warm breath .sdnainto h gnfreezing izeerf othands. ni htaerb mraw gniwolb rof ereH Here for watching.sdown dnatsthe ehtpub, ni roat ,ehome, moh taor ,buinpthe ehtstands. nwod gnihctaw rof ereH Here for the clack clack of the turnstile. .elitsnrut eht fo kcalc kcalc eht rof ereH And the smell of fried onions, .ellet’s ihw aqueue eueuqa swhile. ’tel ,snoino deirf fo llems eht dnA Here for the last-minute .erapdramas, moc nacnothing gnihtoncan ,sacompare. mard etunim-tsal eht rof ereH And for the moments you .’esay: reht‘you eb ohad t dahtoube oy‘there’ :yas u.oy stnemom eht rof dnA Here for the legends who paved the.yway. aw eht devap ohw sdnegel eht rof ereH Here for the rivalries, and derby day. .yad ybred dna ,seirlavir eht rof ereH Here for the girls knowing they can .ooplay t yalptoo. nac yeht gniwonk slrig eht rof ereH And the WSL pulling in crowds of 59,042. .240,95 fo sdworc ni gnillup LSW eht dnA Here for the little baller in an oversized .trihs dshirt. ezisrevo na ni rellab elttil eht rof ereH And for the footwells covered in dirt. .trid ni derevoc sllewtoof eht rof dnA

.yaw eht devap ohw sdnegel eht rof ereH .yad ybred dna ,seirlavir eht rof ereH .oot yalp nac yeht gniwonk slrig eht rof ereH .240,95 fo sdworc ni gnillup LSW eht dnA .trihs dezisrevo na ni rellab elttil eht rof ereH .trid ni derevoc sllewtoof eht rof dnA

Her for coaching,.gplaying, nitroppu reffing, s ,gninchampioning, oipmahc ,gnffisupporting. er ,gniyalp ,gnihcaoc rof reH Him for standing .gnihctup awfor s’eher no-when on ro everyone, ,enoyreve or neno-one’s hw reh rowatching. f pu gnidnats rof miH Here for the blue, the red, the rainbow..wobniar eht ,der eht ,eulb eht rof ereH And for our Community .worg emaFootball g eht gnFund ipleh d helping nuF llabthe toogame F ytinugrow. mmoC ruo rof dnA Here for creating equal access in .slour oohschools. cs ruo ni ssecca lauqe gnitaerc rof ereH Here for determined girls .”seshattering lur“ detadtoutdated uo gnirett“rules”. ahs slrig denimreted rof ereH From schools to stadiums, we’re .llahere ti roffor ereithall. er’ew ,smuidats ot sloohcs morF

Here for the Land of .llaFootball. btooF fo dnaL eht rof ereH

AD TEMPLATE.indd 1

.sdnats eht ni ro ,emoh ta ,bup eht nwod gnihctaw rof ereH .elitsnrut eht fo kcalc kcalc eht rof ereH .elihw a eueuq s’tel ,snoino deirf fo llems eht dnA .erapmoc nac gnihton ,samard etunim-tsal eht rof ereH .’ereht eb ot dah uoy‘ :yas uoy stnemom eht rof dnA

.rehtegot seitinummoc gnignirb rof ereH .retteb sgniht sekam ot gnikrow sreetnulov eht rof ereH .emag lufituaeb eht fo slevel lla rof ereH .emaflni ot detsop stnemmoc eht rof ton tuB .yawa dna emoh ,elkcat yreve ,slaog esoht rof ereH .”yalp“ eht osla tub noititepmoc eht rof ereH

.gnitroppus ,gninoipmahc ,gnffier ,gniyalp ,gnihcaoc rof reH .gnihctaw s’eno-on ro ,enoyreve nehw reh rof pu gnidnats rof miH .wobniar eht ,der eht ,eulb eht rof ereH .worg emag eht gnipleh dnuF llabtooF ytinummoC ruo rof dnA .sloohcs ruo ni ssecca lauqe gnitaerc rof ereH .”selur“ detadtuo gnirettahs slrig denimreted rof ereH

.lla ti rof ereh er’ew ,smuidats ot sloohcs morF

.llabtooF fo dnaL eht rof ereH

Here for bringing communities together. .rehtegot seitinummoc gnignirb rof ereH Here for the volunteers .rettworking eb sgnihto t smakes ekam othings t gnikrbetter. ow sreetnulov eht rof ereH Here for all levels of the beautiful game. .emag lufituaeb eht fo slevel lla rof ereH But not for the comments posted .emto aflinflame. ni ot detsop stnemmoc eht rof ton tuB Here for those goals, every .yatackle, wa dnahome emohand ,elkaway. cat yreve ,slaog esoht rof ereH Here for the competition but also .”ythe alp““play”. eht osla tub noititepmoc eht rof ereH

18/01/2024 08:21

● FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE TABLE

(Table correct as of 2 Feb 2024)

Team

P

W

D

L

GD

Pts

● UNITED APPEARANCES AND GOALS, 2023/24 PLAYER

WSL

FA CUP

LEAGUE CUP

UWCL

TOTAL

APP

GLS

APP

GLS APP

GLS

APP

GLS

APP

Hannah Blundell

12

1

1

0

4

0

2

0

19

GLS 1

Mary Earps

12

0

1

0

0

0

2

0

15

0

Gemma Evans

0(5)

0

0(1)

0

4

0

0

0

4(6)

0

Leah Galton

9(2)

1

0(1)

0

0(3)

1

2

0

11(6)

2

Lucia Garcia

6(6)

2

1

0

4

1

1(1)

0

12(7)

3

Gabby George

3

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

4

0

Geyse

8(2)

1

1

0

1(2)

1

1(1)

0

11(5)

2

Irene Guerrero

0(2)

0

0(1)

0

1

0

0

0

1(3)

0

Hayley Ladd

6(1)

2

1

0

2(1)

1

0

0

9(2)

3

Maya Le Tissier

12

1

1

0

4

0

2

0

19

1

Melvine Malard

6(4)

4

0(1)

1

0(3)

0

1(1)

1

7(9)

6

Hinata Miyazawa

5(3)

1

0

0

2

0

0(2)

0

7(5)

1 2

1

Chelsea

12

10

1

1

26

31

Lisa Naalsund

2(5)

0

0

0

3(1)

1

2

1

7(6)

2

Manchester City

12

9

1

2

25

28

Nikita Parris

8(3)

6

1

2

3(1)

5

0

0

12(4) 13

3

Arsenal

12

9

1

2

17

28

Evie Rabjohn

0

0

0

0

0(1)

0

0

0

0(1)

0

4

UNITED

12

6

3

3

13

21

Jayde Riviere

8(2)

0

1

0

2

0

2

0

13(2)

0

11(1)

3

1

1

2(2)

0

2

0

16(3)

4

0

0

0

0

4

0

0

0

4

0

5

Liverpool

12

5

3

4

-2

18

Ella Toone

6

Tottenham

12

5

3

4

-6

18

Phallon Tullis-Joyce

7

Leicester

12

3

4

5

-6

13

Millie Turner

12

1

1

0

2

0

2

0

17

1

8

Aston Villa

12

4

0

8

-10

12

Rachel Williams

0(12)

4

0(1)

1

4

1

0(1)

0

4(14)

6

9

Everton

12

3

2

7

-12

11

Katie Zelem

12

1

1

0

2(1)

1

2

0

17(1)

2

10 Brighton

12

3

2

7

-14

11

11 West Ham

12

2

2

8

-13

8

12 Bristol City

12

1

2

9

-18

5

● WSL TOP SCORERS, 2023/24 SEASON Khadija Shaw (Manchester City)

13

Lauren James (Chelsea)

12

Elisabeth Terland (Brighton & Hove Albion)

9

Martha Thomas (Tottenham Hotspur)

7

W S L & P L AY E R S TAT S

APPEARANCES, GOALS & ’23/24 WSL STATISTICS

47

Nikita Parris (United) 6 Jill Roord (Manchester City)

6

Amalie Thestrup (Bristol City)

6

Rachel Daly (Aston Villa)

6

Agnes Beever-Jones (Chelsea)

5

Lauren Hemp (Manchester City)

5

● WSL TOP ASSISTS, 2023/24 SEASON

Above: Hayley Ladd (on 98 games) and Lucia Garcia (on 47 games) are the next two Reds with an appearance milestone in their sights

● ALL-TIME RECORDS: GAMES

● ALL-TIME RECORDS: GOALS

Apps

GLS

Ella Toone

150

Ella Toone

48

Katie Zelem

147

Leah Galton

36

Millie Turner

130

Katie Zelem

32

Leah Galton

125

Lauren James

28

5

Mary Earps

111

Alessia Russo

26

Niamh Charles (Chelsea)

4

Hayley Ladd

98

Jessica Sigsworth

26

Chloe Kelly (Manchester City)

4

Kirsty Hanson

90

Nikita Parris

22

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (Chelsea)

4

Ona Batlle

77

Mollie Green

16

Laia Aleixandri (Manchester City)

3

Hannah Blundell

77

Kirsty Hanson

16

Jessie Fleming (Chelsea)

3

Amy Turner

67

Hayley Ladd

12

Leah Galton (United) 3

Jessica Sigsworth

66

Rachel Williams

12

Alex Greenwood (Manchester City)

3

Jackie Groenen

60

Lucia Garcia

11

Lauren Hemp (Manchester City)

3

Alessia Russo

59

Lizzie Arnot

9

Sam Kerr (Chelsea)

3

Kirsty Smith

58

Vilde Boe Risa

8

Lena Petermann (Leicester City)

3

Lauren James

56

Martha Thomas

8

Jutta Rantala (Leicester City)

3

Martha Thomas

53

Millie Turner

8

Alessia Russo (Arsenal)

3

Maya Le Tissier

50

Jane Ross

7

Maisie Symonds (Brighton & Hove Albion)

3

Martha Harris

49

Charlie Devlin

6

Ella Toone (United) 3

Lucia Garcia

47

Melvine Malard

6

Lia Walti (Arsenal)

Maria Thorisdottir

45

Alex Greenwood

5

47_MUWFC_App-Stats (up to Villa).CGSMIM.indd 1

3

UNITED WOMEN

Victoria Pelova (Arsenal)

31/01/2024 21:45

2023/24 SEASON SCHEDULE

FIXTURES & RESULTS COMP

DATE

OPPOSITION

SCORE ATT

LINE-UP

AUGUST O CTO BER WSL

Sun 1

Aston Villa (A) 12.30pm

2-1

12,533

Earps

Blundell

Le Tissier

Turner

George

Ladd

Zelem

WSL

Fri 6

Arsenal (H) 7.30pm

2-2

8,312

Earps

Blundell

Le Tissier

Turner

George

Ladd

Zelem

UWCL

Tue 10

PSG (H) 8pm

1-1

4,827

Earps

Blundell

Le Tissier

Turner

George

Riviere

Naalsund

WSL

Sun 15

Leicester City (H) 12pm

1-1

4,903

Earps

Blundell

Le Tissier 1 Turner

George

Ladd

Zelem

UWCL

Wed 18

PSG (A) 7pm

1-3

10,358

Earps

Riviere

Le Tissier

Turner

Blundell

Naalsund 1

Zelem

WSL

Sun 22

Everton (A) 1pm

5-0

1,990

Earps

Riviere

Le Tissier

Turner

Blundell

Miyazawa

Zelem

NOV EM BER WSL

Sun 5

Brighton (A) 6.45pm

2-2

3,444

Earps

Riviere

Le Tissier

Turner

Blundell

Miyazawa

Zelem

CC

Thu 9

Everton (H) 7pm

7-0

1,804

Tullis-Joyce Riviere

Le Tissier

Evans

Blundell

Miyazawa

Ladd 1

WSL

Sun 12

West Ham (H) 12pm

5-0

4,396

Earps

Riviere

Le Tissier

Turner 1

Blundell

Toone

Zelem

WSL

Sun 19

Manchester City (H) 4.30pm 1-3

43,615

Earps

Blundell

Turner

Le Tissier

Galton

Naalsund

Zelem 1 •

CC

Wed 22

Liverpool (A) 7pm

1-0

1,958

Tullis-Joyce Riviere

Le Tissier

Evans

Blundell

Toone

Ladd

WSL

Sun 26

Bristol City (A) 12.30pm

2-0

14,138

Earps

Riviere

Le Tissier

Turner

Blundell

Zelem

Miyazawa 1

DECEM BER WSL

Sun 10

Tottenham (A) 6.45pm

4-0

2,152

Earps

Riviere

Le Tissier

Turner

Blundell 1

Zelem

Ladd 1

CC

Thu 14

Leicester City (H) 7pm

3-1

2,068

Tullis-Joyce Blundell

Le Tissier

Turner

Evans

Zelem 1 •

Naalsund 1

WSL

Sun 17

Liverpool (H) 12.15pm

1-2

6,303

Earps

Riviere

Le Tissier

Turner

Blundell

Ladd

Zelem Zelem

JA NUA RY

48

FA

Sun 14

Newcastle (H) 12pm

5-0

4,731

Earps

Riviere

Le Tissier

Turner

Blundell

Ladd

WSL

Sun 21

Chelsea (A) 12.30pm

1-3

20,473

Earps

Riviere

Le Tissier

Turner

Blundell

Ladd 1

Zelem

CC

Wed 24

Manchester City (A) 7pm 1-2

4,818

Tullis-Joyce Blundell

Le Tissier

Turner

Evans

Zelem

Naalsund

WSL

Sun 28

Aston Villa (H) 12pm

6,347

Earps

Le Tissier

Turner

Blundell

Naalsund

Zelem

2-1

Riviere

F EBRUA RY WSL

Sun 4

Brighton (H) 12pm

FA

Sun 11

Southampton (A) 2pm

WSL

Sat 17

Arsenal (A) 12.30pm

M A RCH WSL

Sun 3

West Ham (A) 3pm

FA

Sun 10

Quarter-finals

WSL

Sun 17

Bristol City (H) 12pm

WSL

Sun 24

Manchester City (A) 1pm

WSL

Sun 31

Everton (H) 12pm

A PR IL FA

Sun 14

Semi-finals

WSL

Sun 21

Tottenham (H) 12pm

WSL

Sun 28

Leicester (A) 3pm

WSL

Sun 5

Liverpool (A) 2pm

FA

Sun 12

Final (Wembley) 2.30pm

WSL

Sat 18

Chelsea (H) TBC

MAY

UNITED WOMEN

United score listed first. All fixtures subject to change – TV picks confirmed until 18 February Visit ManUtd.com/fixtures for latest fixtures information

KEY: WSL – Women’s Super League UWCL – Women's Champions League CC – Continental League Cup + own goal • Penalty ↑/↓ won/lost on penalties Yellow/red card Substitutes used: 1st 2nd

48-49_MUWFC_Fixtures (Conti Cup removed).CGSMIM.indd 1

FA – Women’s FA Cup Scorers Bold 3rd 4th 5th ~ concussion sub

31/01/2024 21:35

X/Twitter: @manutdwomen

Facebook: manutdwomen

YouTube: /ManUtd

Instagram: @manutdwomen

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

m

Garcia 1

Toone

Galton

Geyse

Williams 1

Parris

Miyazawa

–

–

m

Garcia

Toone

Galton 1

Geyse

Williams

Malard 1

Miyazawa

–

–

und

Zelem

Toone

Galton

Garcia

Geyse

Malard 1

Miyazawa

–

–

m

Garcia

Miyazawa

Malard

Parris

Riviere

Toone

Williams

Galton

Evans

m

Toone

Malard

Geyse

Galton

Miyazawa

Garcia

Williams

–

–

m

Garcia

Toone

Malard 1

Parris 2

Evans

Williams 2

Guerrero

Naalsund

m

Toone 1

Malard

Geyse

Galton

Garcia

Williams 1

Parris

–

–

1

Naalsund

Parris 3

Williams 1

Garcia

Galton 1

Rabjohn

Toone

Zelem

Geyse 1

m

Miyazawa

Parris 1

Geyse 1

Galton

Naalsund

Malard 1

Williams

Evans

Garcia 1

m1•

Malard

Toone

Parris

Geyse

Riviere

Garcia

Miyazawa

Williams

–

Miyazawa

Parris 1

Williams

Garcia

Naalsund

Galton

Malard

–

–

zawa 1

Parris 1

Toone

Galton

Geyse

Ladd

Malard

Williams

Garcia

–

1

Parris

Toone 1

Galton

Malard 1

Garcia

Geyse

Williams

Naalsund

Evans

sund 1

Garcia 1

Toone

Williams

Geyse

Malard

Galton

Parris

–

–

m

Parris

Toone 1

Galton

Malard

Williams

Garcia

Geyse

Naalsund

–

m

Geyse

Toone 1

Garcia

Parris 2

Malard 1

Galton

Guerrero

Williams 1

Evans

m

Garcia

Toone

Galton

Geyse

Parris

Naalsund

Williams

Evans

–

und

Garcia

Guerrero

Parris 1

Williams

Geyse

Toone

Ladd

Malard

–

m

Geyse

Toone

Garcia

Parris 2

Williams

Galton

Malard

Guerrero

–

2023/24 SEASON SCHEDULE

FOLLOW THE REDS:

49

UNITED WOMEN

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QUESTION TIME

ADDED-TIME

QUIZ T H R E E TO S TA RT

50

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ON THE REDS WITH OUR TEN QUESTIONS. GOOD LUCK!

A trio of posers to get going...

1

What was the aggregate score across United’s three meetings with Brighton last season?

2

Which current Red scored her first WSL goals for the club in United’s first-ever top-flight clash with the Seagulls, back in November 2019 (right)?

3

Brighton were the penultimate side United faced before the 2019/20 season was cut short, but who were the Reds’ final opponents?

P L AY E D F O R B O T H

1.

Four questions on the players to have been a Seagull and a Red...

4

All 10 of Sophie Baggaley’s United appearances came in which competition?

5

True or false? Alessia Russo’s first United goal was against her former club, Brighton.

6

From which club did current Brighton defender Maria Thorisdottir join United from in 2021?

7

On which of the Channel Islands was Maya Le Tissier born?

FINAL STRETCH

You’re nearly there, but three points are still up for grabs...

UNITED WOMEN

8

In how many of United’s five full seasons so far have Brighton provided opposition in at least one of the two domestic cup competitions?

9

Who scored what turned out to be her only WSL goal for United in last season’s 4-0 home win over the Seagulls (left)? (Hint: she now plays for our most recent WSL opponents before today).

10

How many clean sheets has Mary Earps kept for United in four home WSL games against Brighton?

ANSWERS 1. United 11-2 Brighton; 2. Leah Galton; 3. Everton; 4. FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup (or Conti Cup); 5. True; 6. Chelsea; 7. Guernsey; 8. Three; 9. Adriana Leon; 10. Four 50_MUWFC_Quiz.Brighton (2024).CGIM (1).indd 1

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Manchester United Home 23/24

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MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN Head coach: Marc Skinner

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION WOMEN Head coach: Melissa Phillips

Gabby George

3

2

Maria Thorisdottir

Maya Le Tissier

4

3

Poppy Pattinson

Aoife Mannion

5

5

Guro Bergsvand

Hannah Blundell

6

6

Vicky Losada

Ella Toone

7

7

Veatriki Sarri

Irene Guerrero

8

8

Pauline Bremer

Melvine Malard

9

9

Lee Geum-min

Katie Zelem

10

10 Julia Zigiotti Olme

Leah Galton

11

11 Elisabeth Terland

Hayley Ladd

12

14 Jorelyn Carabali

Jayde Riviere

14

16 Emma Kullberg

Gemma Evans

15

17 Tatiana Pinto

Lisa Naalsund

16

18 Maisie Symonds

Lucia Garcia

17

20 Dejana Stefanovic

Hinata Miyazawa

20

21 Madison Haley

Millie Turner

21

22 Katie Robinson

Nikita Parris

22

26 Li Mengwen

Geyse

23

28 Melina Loeck (GK)

Evie Rabjohn

25

32 Sophie Baggaley (GK)

Mary Earps (GK)

27

33 Charlize Rule

Rachel Williams

28

40 Katie Startup (GK)

Emma Watson

34

44 Grace McEwan

Alyssa Aherne

36

45 Lily Dent 52 Jessica Pegram

Lucy Newell

55

Phoebe Chadwick

58

Phallon Tullis-Joyce (GK)

91

M ATC H

O F F IC I A LS

Referee Megan Wilson Assistants Magdalena Golba, Harley Hetherington Fourth official Lewis Dawson

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