United Women in January 2025: Game-by-game guide
Manchester United Women are coming back from the winter break that has split the 2024/25 season in half, to play four games across three different competitions before the end of January.
The Reds rounded off 2024 with successive WSL wins against Liverpool and Crystal Palace to sit fourth in a congested table - level on points with third-placed Arsenal and only one behind Manchester City in second.
Those results also sandwiched a goal-filled Women's League Cup victory over Newcastle to make it three wins from three in the group stage and secure progress to the quarter-finals.
First up in 2025, however, will be the start of our Women's FA Cup defence.
United Women vs West Bromwich Albion (FA Cup)
Date: Saturday 11 January
Kick-off time: 17:15 (GMT)
As United Women target a return to Wembley for the third straight season, seeking to retain the trophy the Reds lifted in style last May, the journey starts with the fourth round visit of Women's National League North side West Brom to Leigh Sports Village.
The third-tier Baggies successfully navigated the earlier stages of the competition against lower league sides, scoring 15 goals along the way, and now face their first top flight opponent in two years.
The two-division gap between the teams makes United the heavy pre-match favourites, more so given West Brom's league struggles so far in 2024/25. But the visitors will want to give a good account of themselves in this glamour tie against the holders.
Manchester City vs United Women (WSL)
Date: Sunday 19 January
Kick-off time: 18:45 (GMT)
The first WSL gameweek of the new calendar year means a short trip across Manchester to face City at the Etihad Stadium – also the first of a three-day double header against our neighbours.
Given that just one point separates the sides in the table, it will be a hugely important game for both teams and could be crucial come May in the closely-fought battle for European places.
United have proven hard to beat across 13 games in all competitions this season, losing only once and conceding just three times in the 10 WSL outings. That defensive resilience will be an important attribute here.
United Women vs Manchester City (League Cup)
Date: Wednesday 22 January
Kick-off time: 19:00 (GMT)
Right after our visit to the Etihad, City will arrive under the midweek lights at LSV for a Subway Women's League Cup quarter-final tie. It is United's first time in the knockout rounds since reaching the semis during 2021/22.
Skinner's side enjoyed a 100 per cent record in the group stage, while City have had a bye to this later phase of the competition due to their Champions League involvement in the first half of the campaign.
In four previous League Cup derbies, all played during past group stages, the Reds have won two, with one draw and one City victory. Across all competitions, it will be a 17th derby, with Everton (18) our only more frequent opponent over the last seven years.
United Women vs Brighton & Hove Albion (WSL)
Date: Sunday 26 January
Kick-off time: 18:45 (GMT)
To finish the month of January, and another evening kick-off slot, United will welcome Brighton to LSV, with the Seagulls the first opponent the Reds play twice in the WSL this season.
The reverse south coast fixture finished as a 1-1 draw in October, Grace Clinton scoring the early United opener, before Brighton later tied things up.
An impressive Brighton under the guidance of head coach Dario Vidosic had been the team most closely keeping up with United and the WSL's other established big three in the first half of the campaign, until results tailed off just a little before the winter break.