Manchester United winger Leah Galton says 'it's an unbelievable feeling' playing at Old Trafford, ahead of Sunday's derby with rivals Manchester City in the WSL.
This weekend's encounter will be the first-ever women's Manchester derby at the Theatre of Dreams, and our no.11 is hoping the Reds can put on a show for the home faithful.
“We always get told we have to think game by game, which we do because every game is important, but playing at Old Trafford... it’s amazing.”
Galton told club media.
“The pitch is great, we get even more fans and they are always great at Old Trafford, so we’re just hoping we can win for them.”
Over 40,000 tickets have been sold for Sunday's derby, which is set to break the previous record for a Women's match at Old Trafford (30,196 against Aston Villa last December).
“It’s amazing really. Not only do they get to come and watch us perform and play against City – and paint the town red, of course – but it’s an experience,”
Galton told us.
“It’s so different to Leigh. Leigh is amazing but a change of scenery is also nice with a bigger number of fans.
"You can hear the fans everywhere inside Old Trafford, it’s a special place. It echoes and it’s an unbelievable feeling when you score. Hopefully we can go and smash it, and smash that attendance record too“.
The 29-year-old revealed if there's any differences in preparing for games at Leigh Sports Village compared to the Theatre of Dreams.
“Personally, I prepare exactly the same. I like the feeling of Old Trafford games. The feeling is different,”
Galton said.
“Obviously playing at Old Trafford – we don’t do that every week so when we do and we walk out on to the pitch, it’s an unbelievable feeling and it gets me every time. My preparation and the way the team prepares though is exactly the same”.
Marc Skinner's side head into the clash with City full of confidence after netting 12 goals in two impressive performances - against Everton in the Conti Cup (7-0) and West Ham (5-0) in the WSL.
Galton is hoping for another game full of goals in United's favour, while also expecting a physical encounter when taking on our cross-city rivals.
“Games against City are always exciting, and then games at Old Trafford are always exciting as well,”
Leah said.
“We go full throttle into every match we play, but because it’s ‘Manchester versus Manchester’, it gives both teams that extra fight and they are usually a little bit more physical than other games.
"Hopefully it will be another good game with lots of goals, and we can take the three points again“.