Riviere: We’re enjoying United as a family!
Manchester United Women defender Jayde Riviere is enjoying every moment of representing her favourite club, something she is not sure will ever fully sink in.
The Canada international joined the Reds just over 12 months ago and told us upon arrival, in her signing interview, about how she had grown up supporting United from her hometown of Pickering, Ontario, with her dad.
Instead of watching on the TV, Riviere now represents our women’s team and has also been present in the Old Trafford stands for men’s fixtures during her first year in Manchester.
Speaking in our latest episode of TeamViewer Diaries, Jayde explained how she’s settling into life here and the pride she feels at being able to enjoy the fruits of this experience with her family.
TeamViewer Diaries: Jayde Riviere
TeamViewer Diaries | Jayde Riviere talks about inspirational team-mates, a hidden talent and her pride in being a Red...
“I’ve been fortunate to have my mom, my dad and my boyfriend over a couple of times and I brought them to a couple of the games, not only the women’s games but the men’s games and I think it really has sunken in.
“Just because, as a family, we kind of get to enjoy it all together. But I don’t think it will ever fully sink in that I’m a Manchester United player.
“It’s a surreal moment. I think he’s super proud, my mom is super proud as well just to see the growth I’ve gone through, through the years. Hopefully, I’ll be able to keep making them proud and they’ll be able to come out and watch some more games.”
Our no.14 arrived last January while recovering from a long-term injury and was eased into action upon regaining her fitness, making just one appearance in the latter half of the previous campaign, against Tottenham in May.
Since then, the 23-year-old has become a regular for United this term and been an impressive performer across her 12 starts in the Reds’ last 16 matches. She now wants to continue on that upwards trajectory, as the second half of our season unfolds.
“For me, personally, it’s about confidence. I want to build myself on the work that I’ve done so far,” Riviere explains.
“I want not just my team-mates, but the fans, to also be able to believe in me as a player. It was a little untraditional how I was able to enter playing for United, based off an injury, but I think taking the reins a little bit and getting my feet wet was something that I really needed.
“I needed games under my belt to really make sure I could show everyone what I’m capable of doing. I want to continue that growth and be impactful for this team to go far.”
See more from Jayde in the latest instalment of our TeamViewer Diaries series – watch here.