Connor: The experience of Old Trafford is important
Manchester United fan Charlie Connor follows our women’s team home and away, and will be in the stands when we welcome West Ham to Old Trafford on Saturday 25 March.
Charlie believes the feeling you get when the Reds score a late winning goal is the same as when the likes of Marcus Rashford do it for the men’s team, simply because ‘it’s Manchester United’.
Ahead of Saturday’s 17:30 GMT kick-off, the diehard United fan talked to club media for the matchday programme, which will be available to purchase at the ground.
In an excerpt from that piece, Charlie discusses the season so far, what it's like to see United Women at Old Trafford, plus which Reds have impressed her during the current campaign...
Ahead of Saturday’s 17:30 GMT kick-off, the diehard United fan talked to club media for the matchday programme, which will be available to purchase at the ground.
In an excerpt from that piece, Charlie discusses the season so far, what it's like to see United Women at Old Trafford, plus which Reds have impressed her during the current campaign...
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Tell us about your background supporting United...
“I’ve been a fan of the men’s team for as long as I can remember, so there was lots of excitement when it was announced the women’s team was reforming. We live in Leicestershire now, and we’re home and away, so it’s lots of travel, but I don’t mind, because I love it!”
How do you judge our season so far?
“It’s obvious to me that the team are on an upward trajectory. We’re 10 points better off than we were at this stage last season, and it feels like a matter of time before Marc and the squad get their hands on a trophy or Champions League football. The signings show a lot of promise and forward-planning, with good young players coming in like Maya and Lucia. Tying players like Tooney down is massive, and shows real intent to build something long-term. As a fan, maybe you feel success should come overnight, but it’s got to be sustainable, organic. For us to be where we are, after such a short period, shows massive progress.”
“I’ve been a fan of the men’s team for as long as I can remember, so there was lots of excitement when it was announced the women’s team was reforming. We live in Leicestershire now, and we’re home and away, so it’s lots of travel, but I don’t mind, because I love it!”
How do you judge our season so far?
“It’s obvious to me that the team are on an upward trajectory. We’re 10 points better off than we were at this stage last season, and it feels like a matter of time before Marc and the squad get their hands on a trophy or Champions League football. The signings show a lot of promise and forward-planning, with good young players coming in like Maya and Lucia. Tying players like Tooney down is massive, and shows real intent to build something long-term. As a fan, maybe you feel success should come overnight, but it’s got to be sustainable, organic. For us to be where we are, after such a short period, shows massive progress.”
Who has impressed you most this season?
"Probably Mary Earps. She’s such an authoritative presence; I don’t think she’s made one mistake this year. She’s been absolutely colossal, and probably quite intimidating for opposition players, because you just feel like we’re very rarely going to concede. Her distribution, coming to claim things... she’s so commanding. Leah Galton often goes under the radar – not for fans, but in the media. She’s so consistent. I’d say the whole back line, really. Hannah [Blundell] is having a blinder, too.”
"Probably Mary Earps. She’s such an authoritative presence; I don’t think she’s made one mistake this year. She’s been absolutely colossal, and probably quite intimidating for opposition players, because you just feel like we’re very rarely going to concede. Her distribution, coming to claim things... she’s so commanding. Leah Galton often goes under the radar – not for fans, but in the media. She’s so consistent. I’d say the whole back line, really. Hannah [Blundell] is having a blinder, too.”
Earps named FIFA's Best Women's Goalkeeper
ArticleMary has been commended for a superb year for both club and country.
How does it feel to be back at Old Trafford?
“It’s always exciting and good for the women to play in these sorts of stadiums, in front of big numbers. The atmosphere is different compared to LSV [Leigh Sports Village], which is more of a cauldron, but the experience of Old Trafford is important, particularly with the hope of getting Champions League football. Games across Europe are often played in the bigger stadiums, so any experience our girls get can only benefit us. It’s nice to get more attention too, and it would be nice to beat the 30,000 or so we had last time.”
“It’s always exciting and good for the women to play in these sorts of stadiums, in front of big numbers. The atmosphere is different compared to LSV [Leigh Sports Village], which is more of a cauldron, but the experience of Old Trafford is important, particularly with the hope of getting Champions League football. Games across Europe are often played in the bigger stadiums, so any experience our girls get can only benefit us. It’s nice to get more attention too, and it would be nice to beat the 30,000 or so we had last time.”
What would you say to people who are possibly attending their first United Women’s game today?
“I dare anyone to come to LSV and not be sucked in by the atmosphere, by the team, by the expansive way they play. When the women’s team score a late winner, you get those same feelings of absolute joy you get when Marcus Rashford does. Because it’s Manchester United. I’m really proud of our team, and it would be really nice for people to come and get involved and sell out LSV every week. That would be amazing.”
“I dare anyone to come to LSV and not be sucked in by the atmosphere, by the team, by the expansive way they play. When the women’s team score a late winner, you get those same feelings of absolute joy you get when Marcus Rashford does. Because it’s Manchester United. I’m really proud of our team, and it would be really nice for people to come and get involved and sell out LSV every week. That would be amazing.”
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