Drury becomes United Women's youngest player

Making her first-team bow at 16 years and 220 days, Layla takes the record from Lauren James, which has stood since the team’s first match after reformation in 2018.

James, part of our first professional squad and now at Chelsea, was 16 years and 324 days old when she debuted in the 1-0 win away to Liverpool eight years ago.

While entering the history books on an appearance front, Drury also became United Women’s youngest goalscorer after marking her big day with a late strike in our 5-0 win over the Clarets, at the Progress With Unity Stadium.

Shortly after replacing Melvine Malard as a 66th-minute substitute, the Wales youth international latched onto a ball forward from Hinata Miyazawa and coolly slotted past onrushing goalkeeper Kirstie Levell, with a first-time finish on her left foot.

Our latest Academy graduate had been on the bench for the Reds' last two games, the quarter-final victory over Spurs in the Subway Women’s League Cup and the Barclays Women’s Super League draw with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Speaking to MUTV’s Ben Ibson while stood alongside proud team-mate Millie Turner at full-time on Sunday, Drury reflected on her day to remember.

“I didn’t expect to come on today and to score on my debut as well – grateful is an understatement! I’m thankful to everyone,” she said.

“I think the team did really well for me to come into the game and they all encourage me in training and they just say: ‘Go be yourself out there.’ So, I’m just really proud of the team, to win today, and I’m just really happy to get a goal.

“Every day at training, they [my team-mates] just show me so much love and I’m thankful for that.”

A DAY OF MILESTONES

Drury wasn’t the only player celebrating a personal landmark on Sunday, with interview partner Millie another Red with a reason to smile on top of the healthy victory for the team.

The centre-back started and played 90 minutes of the cup win, marking her first outing since injuring her knee during September’s WSL trip to London City Lionesses.

Like Layla, Julia Zigiotti, Simi Awujo and January signing Lea Schuller also scored their first goals for the Reds in the emphatic triumph, while Player of the Match Maya Le Tissier's impressive second-minute opener was the Reds' 300th home goal.

Schuller was making her maiden United start, as was fellow January recruit Hanna Lundkvist, after both debuted off the bench in last weekend’s draw with Arsenal.

Ellen Wangerheim, our latest exciting winter addition who completed her transfer to the club on Friday, got her first minutes in red as a second-half substitute too.