Rabjohn: I knew we’d draw West Brom!

The 19-year-old’s older sister Olivia is a member of the Baggies’ first-team squad and may face United when the third-tier side visit Leigh Sports Village in the cup on Saturday 11 January.

For the Rabjohn family, it will be an exciting occasion says Evie, who tells us that she is kicking on in her recovery from a long-term knee injury suffered back in July. The issue unfortunately means we won’t see a direct duel between the siblings on the pitch next weekend, but the young Red is looking forward to the game nonetheless.

“It’s going well [my recovery], I’m getting there. It’s been long, very long, but I’m finally kicking on which is nice,” Evie told club media before recalling her reaction to the FA Cup draw during a winter catch-up, which you can watch below.

“We said all day: ‘We’re going to draw each other, we’re going to draw each other.’ Olivia was out when the draw was on, but I was at home with my mum and dad, and I watched it.

“As soon as the whole thing started, I was like: ‘It’s going to be West Brom, it’s going to be West Brom.’ And it was. 

“It’s just crazy, out of everything that could have happened, that’s what happened. It’s massive for her, it will be massive for her to be shown [live], and people can watch her play.

“Obviously, it’s a tough one that I can’t but it means we can’t kick each other and hurt each other so it’s probably for the best! But it’s exciting and just crazy.”

The defender’s positive outlook on the circumstance is refreshing and while she will miss out on this chance to go head-to-head with her sister, the young nature of the siblings’ careers (Olivia is 22, three years older than Evie) means that another meeting in the years to come remains a firm possibility.

Before joining United from Aston Villa in 2023, Evie made her senior debut for the Villans in the same fixture that left-footed winger Olivia achieved the feat – against Sheffield United in November 2021 – and the latter has since been able to rack up regular minutes at West Brom having signed for the Baggies ahead of the previous campaign.

Although their schedules often clash now that they are at different clubs, the sisters are keen to watch each other’s matches as much as possible.

Olivia proudly saw Evie get her hands on an FA Cup winners’ medal following our triumph in last season’s Wembley final and is no stranger to the fact that West Brom will be challenging the trophy holders next Saturday – even more so if Evie is reminding her of that fact in the build-up to the tie!

Our no.25 added: “I like to go and watch Olivia play a lot so I said to her [after the draw]: ‘Oh, I’m coming to do analysis this weekend’ and she was like: ‘No, I don’t want you to come – you can stay at home!’

“She follows me everywhere that she can and obviously it’s hard when we both play, again for my mum and dad they have to choose, but for her to be at such a big game [last season’s FA Cup final] and see what happened was amazing and I’m so happy that I get to give her those opportunities.

“But she’ll just have to remember she’s playing the previous winners and the cup holders, so she can’t get too cocky!”

United’s clash with West Brom gets under way at 17:15 GMT on Saturday 11 January, with tickets available to buy here. The game will also be shown live on the official Adobe Women’s FA Cup YouTube channel.