Riviere excited to face 'big sister' Parris
United Women defender Jayde Riviere is the big interview in Sunday’s matchday programme, for the visit of Brighton & Hove Albion.
Here, you can read an extract of the full Q&A, focusing on the action against Brighton and a reunion with former United Women striker Nikita Parris…
Our attention now turns to Brighton. They’ve had a strong first half of the season. Have you had a chance to follow their progress, and what are you expecting from this game?
“I’ve followed their progress a bit, but I personally like to focus on United. I like to focus on our team, because that’s what I have control over – how I play, and ultimately, when I’m playing well, it helps the team play well. Obviously we had Nikita Parris, and she’s now at Brighton, and she’s doing what Keets does and smashing it, but I think for us, we do well when we focus on us, and that’s all we can control.”
You mention Nikita there, your former team-mate and a good friend to many of the squad. Have you kept in touch with her since she left?
“I haven’t been in touch with Keets much, but she was like a big sister to me. She is a big sister to me and she reaches out here and there. She’s such an experienced player, a dominant player, and she’s doing really well where she is, which is expected. Obviously, we miss her, but I know she has to do whatever is best for her. Off the pitch, we’re all friends but, on the pitch, we’ll obviously have that rivalry, because she’s in the frontline and I’m in the backline.”
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“Yes, that game where she scored against us I wasn’t there, but I know Keets is dominant and a huge threat. She’s hungry in that box! I think, for us, it helps in a way, because we know how Keets plays, but she’s forever evolving as well. I think my number one thing is, obviously I don’t want any attacker to score against us and, though Keets is a friend, I’m hopeful that she won’t score against us in the near future.”
Just going back to training, there’s a saying that ‘iron sharpens iron’. How much do you feel you are developing every day by working with the talent we have here at United?
“Something I’ve spoken about since being here, is just how much I’ve progressed as a person and a player. Ultimately, you want to play in an environment where you’re playing with the best of the best, and you’re being challenged and pushed in that environment. I am being pushed every single day by my team-mates. I’m being pushed every single day by the staff that are there because you’re at a huge club that expects that from you. But for me, I think that where I was before signing, and where I am now, is a little bit of night and day. For me, I think I’ve been able to show, hopefully the fans and everyone, what I’m capable of doing, and I just want to continue to push those standards forward into the new year.”
Over the last 12 months, you’ve had some time off with injury. How much have you learned about yourself and your resilience during those times?
“It’s been a very difficult time. You know, there are a lot of spells where you question, ‘why me?’ and I went through a spell of trying to figure out why do I always get injured? What is it that I’m not doing? What targets am I not hitting? And sometimes it’s just the nature of the game. Unfortunately, it’s just something that happens to many players, both in the women’s and the men’s game. For me, it was a hard time navigating that. But, the resilient part is that I’ve always come back. Injuries are unfortunately going to come. It’s a love-hate relationship with the sport. But, moving forward, knowing I have that resilient mindset and will always come back from whatever is put in my way, is something I can take forward with me.”
Overall, 2024 was a fantastic year for you – you were a Cup winner, you went to the Olympics, and you even got your childhood sports field named after you! What do you want to achieve in 2025?
“I just want to continue to push the boundaries. I think that’s something that this club continuously asks of us. And for me personally, I want to keep pushing as an individual. I want to keep expanding my horizons and skillset, of what I can bring to the team, and hopefully, with my team-mates and with the staff supporting me through that, I’ll be able to flourish a lot more in 2025.”
United Women v Brighton kicks off at 18:45 GMT on Sunday. Live radio commentary will be available on ManUtd.com and in the United App.