Lucia Garcia makes 50th United appearance

Our no.17 was introduced by Marc Skinner shortly before the hour mark at the Chigwell Construction Stadium, where the Reds were held by the Hammers, despite Rachel Williams’s early goal.

In appearing as a second-half substitute, the Spaniard becomes United Women’s 18th half-centurion, and the third to hail from outside of the British Isles, after Ona Batlle and Jackie Groenen.

Garcia is now in her second season at United, having joined the Reds in the summer of 2022 from Athletic Club, prior to making her debut in our 4-0 success over Reading on the opening day of that term.

Her first goal arrived just a week later, away to West Ham, as she brilliantly raced onto a searching ball forward, rounded the goalkeeper and slotted home the first of her 12 strikes for Marc Skinner’s side so far.

Lucia went on to create more memories against the Hammers in the reverse fixture later in the campaign, scoring twice in our 4-0 win at Old Trafford, before finishing 2022/23 in fine fettle.

The 25-year-old was named our Player of the Month for May, having netted the winning goal in each of our final two matches, against Manchester City and Liverpool, with the former securing our spot in the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the first time.

Garcia has scored four times this term, most recently away to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, and the half-century milestone is her latest achievement in what has been a memorable couple of weeks on an individual level.

The forward helped Spain to be crowned the inaugural UEFA Women’s Nations League champions during the February international break.

Congratulations on that success and your 50-appearance landmark, Lucia – here’s to more matches and memories for you in red!