Preview: United Women v Leicester City

Although our visitors are currently at the bottom of the league, the fact we only defeated them by a narrow 1-0 scoreline in our last meeting suggests they could be a stubborn obstacle on Sunday as we approach the business end of the season where every point counts. 

Here’s everything you need to know about this weekend’s encounter… 

TEAM NEWS

In his most recent press conference, Marc Skinner revealed that all but one of his players will be in contention to face the Foxes on Sunday. 

January signing Lisa Naalsund could be set to make her United debut at LSV having spent time working her way back up to fitness since the conclusion of the Norwegian league late last year. Skinner revealed that the midfielder has been fully integrated into team training this week and could feature against Leicester. Fellow newcomer Jayde Riviere is the only player unavailable and is ‘three weeks away’ from being ready, according to the boss. 

United Women's former assistant manager Willie Kirk will be in the dugout for the visitors on Sunday. There are also several ex-Reds in the Foxes' set-up, one of them being Abbie McManus, but the defender is currently sidelined due to a fractured leg. Leicester's no.9, Jess Sigsworth, is another, but she is also ruled out as she continues her recovery from an ACL problem.

Leicester recently welcomed back Hannah Cain from injury; the 24-year-old forward proved the difference against Liverpool last time out, scoring in the eighth minute of the Foxes' 1-0 win at Prenton Park on 12 February.

FORM GUIDE

The Reds head into the weekend at the top of the WSL table, albeit having played one game more than second-placed Chelsea who are just one point behind. We’ve won 10 and drawn two of our 13 league games so far, losing only once - against the aforementioned Blues.

Our last two WSL outings resulted in a slender 2-1 away win over Tottenham Hotspur - despite Ella Toone's red card forcing us to see the game out with 10 players - and a frustrating 0-0 draw at home to Everton. All three points this Sunday would see us retain our place at the top with a huge trip to Chelsea then on the horizon. 

Leicester come into this game knowing that every point counts in their bid to escape relegation. Last month's win at Liverpool was only their second victory of the season, as they have lost 10 out of 12 in the WSL. However, the Foxes' six points mean they remain within touching distance of Reading (one point ahead), Brighton (two) and Spurs (three) and they have a game in hand on the Royals.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Sunday will mark the sixth league encounter between United and Leicester, with the Reds coming out on top on every occasion. 

We registered two big wins over our opponents in the Championship, ending 6-1 and 7-0 in the home and away games respectively. Leicester gained promotion to the WSL a year after we did, meaning we didn’t face them again in the league until 2021. That season, we notched another double against the Foxes – 3-1 and 4-0. 

The current campaign has been a bit of a shift, however, with our visitors proving stern competition. We faced them in October of last year, earning a narrow 1-0 victory thanks to a first-half strike from Nikita Parris. 

While we have maximum points from our league meetings with Leicester, they managed to knock us out of the FA Cup back in 2021, winning 3-2.

RIVALS WATCH

As well as the Reds being back in action, there are a number of other big WSL clashes to keep an eye on this weekend, and during the week… 

SUNDAY 5 MARCH

UNITED v Leicester City (12:30 GMT)
Everton v Aston Villa (13:00 GMT)
Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur (14:00 GMT)
Reading v West Ham (14:00 GMT)

WEDNESDAY 8 MARCH

Arsenal v Liverpool (19:15 GMT)
Chelsea v Brighton & Hove Albion (19:30 GMT)