United Women are ready to make Old Trafford history
Director of women’s football Matt Johnson has stated our ambition is to break further ground in this season’s Champions League.
Speaking in episode two of our new Inside Carrington podcast, Johnson looks forward to Wednesday night’s Old Trafford match against Paris-Saint Germain.
Tickets for the huge European night are available to buy online, priced at £15 for adults and with a reduced rate of £10 available for under 16 and over 66.
Additionally, we're also offering a 25 per cent student discount* – simply use the code PSG-STUDENT-25 at checkout to activate your discount and present a valid student ID on entry and at kiosks for discounted food and drink.
Inside Carrington: Director of Women’s Football
INSIDE CARRINGTON EP2 | Diogo Dalot’s break, Phil Jones’s England memories and women’s football director Matt Johnson…
A HISTORIC SEASON
United Women are competing in the Champions League ‘league phase’ for the first time in our history after progressing through the qualifying rounds in the summer.
The Reds have made a superb start by recording back-to-back wins over Valerenga and Atletico Madrid, and Johnson says everyone is buzzing to face PSG this week.
“We’re really looking forward to it. It’s the Champions League and getting this far is a first for the club. We’ve had two really good games with two victories.
“To play the first-ever Women’s Champions League match at Old Trafford will be really special, following in the footsteps of some great nights for the men’s team there over the decades. The girls are really looking forward to it and it’s something that the fanbase and everyone connected to the club is really excited about.”
Asked if the players are aware of the history they are making this season, Matt continues: “They are aware of it and they are aware that they are setting lots of firsts and making history for the club, but I don’t think they understand the magnitude of it.
“When you are living in the bubble of a footballer you eat, drink, play and train. You are in that cycle so it will only be when they stop and reflect that they will understand the magnitude of the first Women’s Champions League game at Old Trafford.”
A CLEAR AMBITION
This might be our first season in the Champions League proper, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t ambitious and Johnson is confident we can go a long way.
“What we really want to do is go deep into all of the competitions and I genuinely believe that on any night and any day, the squad that we have got can compete with anyone in Europe and I know Marc often says we are not scared of anyone.
“Most teams would be worried about playing Manchester United because of the way we play, so a realistic goal for us is to at least qualify for the knockout stages so we go into the new year of 2026 still in the Champions League.
“We are probably one win away from achieving that one. Once you get on a roll and keep playing well, we want to make sure that we go deep into the Champions League.”
WELCOME HOME, JACKIE AND MARY
PSG’s squad at Old Trafford on Wednesday night will include former United players Jackie Groenen and Mary Earps. Johnson says both will be embraced as ex-Reds.
“There will be some familiar faces that we know well,” says Matt. “Manchester United, as we all know, is a family and once you have played for the club you will always be respected, and we will definitely have open arms to welcome them back.
“It will be good to have a chat with them and see how they are doing. It is always good to welcome old players back to Manchester United to see how they are doing.”