United Women’s road to Wembley
Manchester United are now just days away from making our maiden appearance at Wembley when we face Chelsea in the Vitality Women's FA Cup final.
Marc Skinner’s side are poised to fight for our first piece of silverware since winning the Championship title back in 2019, upon the conclusion of our first season since the team reformed.
Having never beaten Emma Hayes’s side, the final of club football’s most prestigious competition in England presents a prime opportunity to do so.
Prior to Sunday’s showpiece, though, we’re taking a look back on our FA Cup journey this season that brought us to our first-ever major final...
Having never beaten Emma Hayes’s side, the final of club football’s most prestigious competition in England presents a prime opportunity to do so.
Prior to Sunday’s showpiece, though, we’re taking a look back on our FA Cup journey this season that brought us to our first-ever major final...
United Women: Our road to Wembley Video
United Women: Our road to Wembley
Watch every goal scored by United Women during this season's FA Cup run, ahead of Sunday's final against Chelsea...
FOURTH ROUND – SUNDERLAND
Coming into the competition in the fourth round, a trip to the North East would see us open our FA Cup account this season. Facing Championship opposition in the way of Sunderland, Skinner’s side showed their dominance throughout the 90 minutes but were kept at bay until just before the half-time whistle sounded, as Nikita Parris fired us in front. The Black Cats pulled one back after the break through Gabby Holmes, but Parris was on target to score her second and restore our lead in an eventual 2-1 victory away from home.
Coming into the competition in the fourth round, a trip to the North East would see us open our FA Cup account this season. Facing Championship opposition in the way of Sunderland, Skinner’s side showed their dominance throughout the 90 minutes but were kept at bay until just before the half-time whistle sounded, as Nikita Parris fired us in front. The Black Cats pulled one back after the break through Gabby Holmes, but Parris was on target to score her second and restore our lead in an eventual 2-1 victory away from home.
FIFTH ROUND – DURHAM
In the last 16, we welcomed Durham to Leigh Sports Village – a side that has been notoriously tricky for us in recent years, namely in the Continental Cup. The Reds delivered a five-star performance in front of the LSV faithful, as Vilde Boe Risa got the ball rolling with a sublime postage-stamp free-kick before half-time. Leah Galton doubled our advantage in the second half, with Ona Batlle assisting Hannah Blundell for our second shortly after. Second-half substitute Alessia Russo bagged our fourth, while Parris reacted quickly in the box to see out a five-goal rout.
In the last 16, we welcomed Durham to Leigh Sports Village – a side that has been notoriously tricky for us in recent years, namely in the Continental Cup. The Reds delivered a five-star performance in front of the LSV faithful, as Vilde Boe Risa got the ball rolling with a sublime postage-stamp free-kick before half-time. Leah Galton doubled our advantage in the second half, with Ona Batlle assisting Hannah Blundell for our second shortly after. Second-half substitute Alessia Russo bagged our fourth, while Parris reacted quickly in the box to see out a five-goal rout.
Highlights: United Women v Durham Video
Highlights: United Women v Durham
Relive all the key moments from Leigh Sports Village, as United Women booked a spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals...
QUARTER-FINAL – LEWES
Another Championship side would await in the last eight of the competition, as we travelled down south to face Lewes at The Dripping Pan. It was a quick start from Skinner’s side, who went ahead inside 10 minutes; while it looked as though Batlle had assisted Russo, it was Lewes defender Rhian Cleverly who was deemed to have had the final touch. Boe Risa doubled our lead in the second half before Emily Kraft pulled one back for the hosts. A late strike from Parris secured our safe passage into the semi-finals, a feat we had never achieved prior to this season.
Another Championship side would await in the last eight of the competition, as we travelled down south to face Lewes at The Dripping Pan. It was a quick start from Skinner’s side, who went ahead inside 10 minutes; while it looked as though Batlle had assisted Russo, it was Lewes defender Rhian Cleverly who was deemed to have had the final touch. Boe Risa doubled our lead in the second half before Emily Kraft pulled one back for the hosts. A late strike from Parris secured our safe passage into the semi-finals, a feat we had never achieved prior to this season.
Highlights: Lewes v United Women Video
Highlights: Lewes v United Women
A place in the Women's FA Cup semi-finals was up for grabs as United Women travelled to Lewes - here's the highlights...
SEMI-FINAL – BRIGHTON
Our first-ever last-four opponents came in the form of Brighton, who we had beaten 4-0 in the league just two weeks before welcoming them to LSV. With a new manager at the helm in the form of Melissa Phillips, the Seagulls presented a completely new challenge for Skinner’s side. A rare Mary Earps error allowed them to take the lead going into the break, but Galton was on target to level the score moments after the restart. A thumping finish from Russo fired us ahead, but second-half substitute Danielle Carter was quick to pull things level again after her introduction to the game. In true ‘Fergie Time’ fashion, Rachel Williams came off the bench to slot the ball beyond Lydia Williams in stoppage time, sending us to Wembley for the first time.
Our first-ever last-four opponents came in the form of Brighton, who we had beaten 4-0 in the league just two weeks before welcoming them to LSV. With a new manager at the helm in the form of Melissa Phillips, the Seagulls presented a completely new challenge for Skinner’s side. A rare Mary Earps error allowed them to take the lead going into the break, but Galton was on target to level the score moments after the restart. A thumping finish from Russo fired us ahead, but second-half substitute Danielle Carter was quick to pull things level again after her introduction to the game. In true ‘Fergie Time’ fashion, Rachel Williams came off the bench to slot the ball beyond Lydia Williams in stoppage time, sending us to Wembley for the first time.
Highlights: United Women v Brighton Video
Highlights: United Women v Brighton
See how United Women booked a place in the 2023 FA Cup final, with this five-goal thriller at Leigh Sports Village...
FINAL – CHELSEA
After overcoming four other opponents, just Chelsea stand between us and a first-ever major trophy. We’ve never beaten the Blues in nine attempts, though both sides come into the showpiece event in flying form. In front of a sold-out Wembley crowd, Katie Zelem looks set to lead the team out for a first appearance at Wembley.
Kick-off in the capital is scheduled for 14:30 BST and promises to be a encounter that should not be missed.
After overcoming four other opponents, just Chelsea stand between us and a first-ever major trophy. We’ve never beaten the Blues in nine attempts, though both sides come into the showpiece event in flying form. In front of a sold-out Wembley crowd, Katie Zelem looks set to lead the team out for a first appearance at Wembley.
Kick-off in the capital is scheduled for 14:30 BST and promises to be a encounter that should not be missed.
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