United Women discuss their footballing role models
Manchester United Women will make history on Sunday afternoon when the team grace the Old Trafford turf for the first time in front of supporters.
It’s set to be a record crowd at the Theatre of Dreams as Marc Skinner’s side face Everton in an important WSL clash, and with just 24 hours to go, you can secure your tickets here.
Among those watching on from the stands will no doubt be thousands of young girls and boys, inspired, and hoping to one day join their heroes on stages of a similar stature in the years to come.
Marc Skinner’s players were once that next generation and they will have another opportunity to follow in the footsteps of many of their own icons on Sunday when emerging from the Old Trafford tunnel and on to the hallowed turf, as they did first behind closed doors last season.
With that in mind and in the countdown to the game, five of our United Women’s stars were asked which footballers they grew up hoping to emulate…
Who were the Reds' footballing role models?
United Women will follow in the footsteps of their Old Trafford idols when they take to the hallowed turf on Sunday...
“My inspiration when I was younger was Roy Keane. I remember in the sitting room at home, me and my brother would play against each other and when I was the outfield player, I was always Roy Keane.
“When I was defending between the two sofas, I was always Edwin van der Sar, so I have quite a few United role models and that’s why also it gives me great pleasure to wear the shirt.”
HAYLEY LADD
“A couple of names come to mind, Wayne Rooney was a big one, the way he played with so much passion and energy. He was obviously great to watch.
“Paul Scholes as well, technically, really, really good and just great to watch as well.”
When did your United journey begin?
Five members of our women's team discuss their first Reds memories, prior to Sunday's outing at the Theatre of Dreams...
VILDE BOE RISA
“Of course, I watched [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Lionel] Messi and Rooney, but I didn’t have one player that I really liked a lot. I just watched a bit of Man United and I actually like to watch the women’s players even more now and I think some of the Barcelona players are amazing.”
MARTHA THOMAS
“Both my older brothers played football and my dad was a big football fan as well, so I grew up watching lots of Premier League, so loads of Premier League midfielders and strikers come to mind.
“On the women’s side, I grew up in America, so the US national team was quite big, so names like Mia Hamm come to mind – players that have really pushed the sport forward.”
LUCY STANIFORTH
“I was always a mega, mega David Beckham fan. I loved watching everything he did, the way he crossed the ball, the way he took corners, free-kicks and that was someone I really tried to style my game on growing up as a young girl.
“Unfortunately, there wasn’t many female role models out there, so I think David Beckham is probably the first person I gravitated towards, and I’d like to think there’s glimpses of him in me now!”
Tickets for United Women's first game at Old Trafford in front of fans, against Everton this Sunday 27 March, are available from manutd.com/womenstickets.