Manchester United forward Lucia Garcia has been named Player of the Month for May 2023, in recognition of her seismic contributions across the final few weeks of an exciting season.
It comes as no surprise that the Spaniard earned plaudits from fans, given her late heroics in the Manchester derby last month.
Our no.17 had stiff competition from fellow nominees Vilde Boe Risa and Maya Le Tissier, both of whom had an equally impressive run of games across May.
However, with 62 per cent of the votes, it was Garcia who picks up the final monthly award for our 2022/23 campaign.
Our no.17 had stiff competition from fellow nominees Vilde Boe Risa and Maya Le Tissier, both of whom had an equally impressive run of games across May.
However, with 62 per cent of the votes, it was Garcia who picks up the final monthly award for our 2022/23 campaign.
Despite not starting a game across the month, Lucia showed her ability to make an impact from the bench when we needed it the most.
Her first contribution came in a 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on 7 May, when she entered the fray in the final 15 minutes to help see out a comprehensive victory for the Reds.
Garcia was also called upon in the FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley, where we made our maiden appearance. The Spanish winger proved a much-needed creative spark, though the Reds were narrowly pipped to silverware by the Blues in a 1-0 defeat.
Her first contribution came in a 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on 7 May, when she entered the fray in the final 15 minutes to help see out a comprehensive victory for the Reds.
Garcia was also called upon in the FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley, where we made our maiden appearance. The Spanish winger proved a much-needed creative spark, though the Reds were narrowly pipped to silverware by the Blues in a 1-0 defeat.
With the disappointment of Wembley providing the fuel to finish our league campaign on a high, we faced local rivals Man City at home in our penultimate WSL encounter this term.
Lucia was called from the bench with the game still at 1-1, and entered the fray alongside forward-thinking midfielder Boe Risa. The Reds have shown a real never-say-die attitude this season, with several last-minute winners, and the derby proved no different.
Just moments after Le Tissier made a goal-saving block to deny Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, the Reds went to the other end of the pitch and found the winner. Boe Risa was on hand to head Hannah Blundell’s delivery back across goal, where Garcia thumped home to secure our first-ever victory over City in the league.
Lucia was called from the bench with the game still at 1-1, and entered the fray alongside forward-thinking midfielder Boe Risa. The Reds have shown a real never-say-die attitude this season, with several last-minute winners, and the derby proved no different.
Just moments after Le Tissier made a goal-saving block to deny Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, the Reds went to the other end of the pitch and found the winner. Boe Risa was on hand to head Hannah Blundell’s delivery back across goal, where Garcia thumped home to secure our first-ever victory over City in the league.
Garcia closed her goalscoring account for the season, and ours, when we travelled to Tranmere for the final fixture against Liverpool. Marc Skinner's side needed a favour from Reading to beat Chelsea and give us a chance at lifting a first-ever WSL title, but we had to get our job done first.
For the fourth time in May, Garcia was brought on when we were in search of a goal and mere minutes into her introduction, that is exactly what she provided. Latching onto a sublime ball over the top from Le Tissier, she volleyed home at the second time of asking, scoring the only strike of the game.
While Chelsea went on to win the league by beating Reading, United Women still gave our incredible away fans plenty to cheer about thanks to Garcia’s clinical edge.
Congratulations, Lucia, and thank you to everyone who voted.
For the fourth time in May, Garcia was brought on when we were in search of a goal and mere minutes into her introduction, that is exactly what she provided. Latching onto a sublime ball over the top from Le Tissier, she volleyed home at the second time of asking, scoring the only strike of the game.
While Chelsea went on to win the league by beating Reading, United Women still gave our incredible away fans plenty to cheer about thanks to Garcia’s clinical edge.
Congratulations, Lucia, and thank you to everyone who voted.