Preview: Brighton v United Women
Manchester United are back in Women’s Super League action this weekend, as we make the trip down south to take on Brighton.
Marc Skinner’s side welcomes back a plethora of Reds from international duty this week, as preparations continue for our fifth league encounter of the new campaign.
Prior to the two-week break, the Reds bounced back from Champions League disappointment with a thumping 5-0 victory over Everton, taking us to within two points of top spot.
Ahead of our WSL return, here are the key things to know about Sunday’s tie…
Prior to the two-week break, the Reds bounced back from Champions League disappointment with a thumping 5-0 victory over Everton, taking us to within two points of top spot.
Ahead of our WSL return, here are the key things to know about Sunday’s tie…
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HOW CAN I WATCH THE GAME?
United’s clash with the Seagulls will kick-off at 18:45 GMT, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
We’ll keep you up to date with all the action from down south, including team news, half-time and full-time updates, followed by a match report.
There will also be live commentary throughout the 90 minutes in the United App and on ManUtd.com.
Fans wanting to attend the game can still buy tickets, which are available here.
WHAT IS THE TEAM NEWS?
Emma Watson and Gabby George remain long-term absentees for Skinner’s side, having sustained knee injuries. Aoife Mannion is also continuing her recovery, having yet to feature this term.
Geyse, Leah Galton, and Hayley Ladd are all expected to return having missed our victory over Everton, with a sickness bug hitting the camp prior to the international break.
The visitors will have a few familiar faces that could line up against the Reds this weekend, with defender Maria Thorisdottir and goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley completing the switch to the South Coast in the summer transfer window.
Emma Watson and Gabby George remain long-term absentees for Skinner’s side, having sustained knee injuries. Aoife Mannion is also continuing her recovery, having yet to feature this term.
Geyse, Leah Galton, and Hayley Ladd are all expected to return having missed our victory over Everton, with a sickness bug hitting the camp prior to the international break.
The visitors will have a few familiar faces that could line up against the Reds this weekend, with defender Maria Thorisdottir and goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley completing the switch to the South Coast in the summer transfer window.
THE OPPOSITION
Brighton narrowly avoided the drop after a disappointing 2022/23 season, finishing just ahead of relegated Reading.
Towards the end of that campaign, the Seagulls brought in Melissa Phillips to steady the ship and guide them to safety, and followed that with significant backing in the transfer window ahead of the 2023/24 season. Plenty of new faces appeared on the south coast, including the likes of Tatiana Pinto, Vicky Losada, Pauline Bremer, and former Reds Thorisdottir and Baggaley.
While things looked promising with an opening weekend victory over Everton, they have gone on to lose their last three league encounters, with West Ham, Spurs, and Chelsea respectively. Currently sitting in ninth, Phillips’s side will be determined to get some points on the board to avoid a repeat of last year.
Brighton narrowly avoided the drop after a disappointing 2022/23 season, finishing just ahead of relegated Reading.
Towards the end of that campaign, the Seagulls brought in Melissa Phillips to steady the ship and guide them to safety, and followed that with significant backing in the transfer window ahead of the 2023/24 season. Plenty of new faces appeared on the south coast, including the likes of Tatiana Pinto, Vicky Losada, Pauline Bremer, and former Reds Thorisdottir and Baggaley.
While things looked promising with an opening weekend victory over Everton, they have gone on to lose their last three league encounters, with West Ham, Spurs, and Chelsea respectively. Currently sitting in ninth, Phillips’s side will be determined to get some points on the board to avoid a repeat of last year.
Highlights: United Women v Brighton Video
Highlights: United Women v Brighton
See how United Women booked a place in the 2023 FA Cup final, with this five-goal thriller at Leigh Sports Village...
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
United have enjoyed being on the winning side multiple times over the Seagulls, unbeaten against them last term. A 4-0 victory at Leigh Sports Village saw an Ella Toone brace, followed by goals from Galton and the now departed Adriana Leon, in our first meeting of 2022/23.
We met them twice in quick succession at the back end of last term. The reverse fixture in the league was yet another four-goal win for the Reds, with a Galton brace setting us on our way before a quick-fire double from Rachel Williams and Lucia Garcia sealed the points.
Our most memorable meeting of the previous campaign would come in the semi-final of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup. A true nail-biter, the game was on a knife’s edge heading in the approach to full-time with two goals a piece, before a clutch strike from Williams sent the Reds into our first-ever final at Wembley - one of the many ways we made history last season.
United have enjoyed being on the winning side multiple times over the Seagulls, unbeaten against them last term. A 4-0 victory at Leigh Sports Village saw an Ella Toone brace, followed by goals from Galton and the now departed Adriana Leon, in our first meeting of 2022/23.
We met them twice in quick succession at the back end of last term. The reverse fixture in the league was yet another four-goal win for the Reds, with a Galton brace setting us on our way before a quick-fire double from Rachel Williams and Lucia Garcia sealed the points.
Our most memorable meeting of the previous campaign would come in the semi-final of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup. A true nail-biter, the game was on a knife’s edge heading in the approach to full-time with two goals a piece, before a clutch strike from Williams sent the Reds into our first-ever final at Wembley - one of the many ways we made history last season.
WHO ELSE IS PLAYING?
United’s trip to Brighton will conclude the weekend’s WSL action, but there is plenty going on before our 18:45 kick-off…
SATURDAY 4 NOVEMBER
Aston Villa vs Chelsea (12:30 GMT)
SUNDAY 5 NOVEMBER
Arsenal vs Manchester City (12:30 GMT)
Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton (14:00 GMT)
Liverpool vs Leicester City (14:00 GMT)
West Ham vs Bristol City (15:00 GMT)
Brighton vs UNITED (18:45 GMT)
United’s trip to Brighton will conclude the weekend’s WSL action, but there is plenty going on before our 18:45 kick-off…
SATURDAY 4 NOVEMBER
Aston Villa vs Chelsea (12:30 GMT)
SUNDAY 5 NOVEMBER
Arsenal vs Manchester City (12:30 GMT)
Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton (14:00 GMT)
Liverpool vs Leicester City (14:00 GMT)
West Ham vs Bristol City (15:00 GMT)
Brighton vs UNITED (18:45 GMT)
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