Batlle and Galton up for WSL Player of the Season

Friday 19 May 2023 11:00

Manchester United duo Ona Batlle and Leah Galton are up for the Barclays Women’s Super League Player of the Season award.

The pair have been instrumental to United’s excellent season in the competition so far, with the Reds currently in the midst of a title fight, and on the verge of securing a place in the division's top three for the first time.

Galton has been among the winners of the WSL's monthly awards in the current campaign, recognised for her efforts across December with the Player of the Month prize, while Ona's recognition comes after being nominated for the PFA Fans' Player of the Season award, too.

Both have been mainstays in Marc Skinner’s side through the year and will no doubt have key roles to play in our final two games of the 2022/23 season.

Who is United Women's Player of the Year?

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You can have your say via our poll for the official 2022/23 award, with voting now open.

By all accounts, Ona has had yet another excellent season at right-back for the Reds. One of our most consistent performers, the Spaniard is influential in attack as much as she is solid in defence. 

In the WSL alone, she has registered nine assists so far this term – a tally rising to 15 across all competitions. The closest defender to reaching her in terms of top-flight contributions up the field is Liverpool’s Emma Koivisto, on four.

Batlle has also played a key part in helping United produce what is currently the best defence in the league. The Reds have conceded just 11 goals in 20 games this term, and registered 13 clean sheets across those fixtures too, prompting Mary Earps to close in on the Golden Glove. 

Galton is on course to record her best-ever season for United since joining us, following our reformation of the women’s team back in 2018. Our no.11 currently has 10 goals and four assists in the league, level on strikes with Alessia Russoas the pair continue their internal battle to be the club’s top-scorer this term. 

She has equally developed a knack for coming up with big goals when the Reds have needed them most. Leah was on target at the Etihad Stadium in our 1-1 draw with rivals City, provided an equalising strike for our enthralling 3-2 away win against Aston Villa, and scored a decisive goal in our win at Spurs – all key results in helping us mount a title-challenging campaign. 

Leah has also been the winner of two of the club’s Player of the Month awards this year, earning the plaudits from fans in what has been a memorable season for the Reds. 

Galton's four goals in April Video

Galton's four goals in April

These finishes show exactly why Leah Galton was voted Player of the Month for April...

United's Kirsty Hanson, who has spent the current season on loan at Aston Villa, has also been nominated following a standout year with the Villans.

The Scotland international has 14 goal involvements this term, including five of her own, while setting up nine to spur Villa on to an all-but-guaranteed fifth-place finish under Carla Ward. 

VOTE NOW

You can make your pick for one of our contenders by visiting the official voting page here - you have until 10:00 BST on Monday 22 May to do so.

Congratulations and good luck to Kirsty, Leah and Ona!

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