Manchester United Women 3 Liverpool 1

Two first-half goals from Ella Toone set the hosts up well as the Reds dominated possession and continued to push forward in this pre-season friendly. Shortly before half-time, the visitors pulled a goal back through an easy tap-in for Natasha Flint. 

Both sides made mass changes after the break and it took a while to settle back into the game but with just over 20 minutes left to play, Geyse added to her pre-season tally with a confident strike from the edge of the area.

The 3-1 victory was just what the Reds needed following last week's narrow defeat to Bayern Munich in Germany.

FIRST HALF

Marc Skinner selected a strong side with Toone, Mary Earps and Katie Zelem all back in the starting XI for the first time since returning from the World Cup.

United started on the front foot with early chances for Nikita Parris causing the Liverpool defence problems.

It took the hosts under 15 minutes to open the scoring at Carrington with Toone getting her first goal back in red, from a superb right-wing cross by Leah Galton.

Just two minutes later, our no.7 was on the scoresheet once again. Toone latched onto Hayley Ladd’s through ball and lifted it over the Liverpool goalkeeper.

United continued to press and control the game with Geyse coming close to getting on the scoresheet. Meanwhile, Gemma Evans and Millie Turner worked well together at the back to stop Liverpool from getting many attempts on goal.

With a few minutes of the first half remaining, Emma Koivisto's run down the right created a chance for Liverpool but Roman Haug could not get enough contact on the ball and guided it wide of the post.

The visitors looked much stronger towards the end of the half and a defensive mishap at the back post provided an easy tap-in for Natasha Flint to make it 2-1 at the break.

SECOND HALF

Five changes at half-time created a different looking line-up for Skinner’s side. Safia Middleton-Patel replaced Earps in goal whilst Hinata Miyazawa, Emma Watson, Hannah Blundell and Lucia Garcia also joined the action.

Garcia had an early chance for the hosts but it was Liverpool who started the second half strongest. A corner from Marie Hobinger found Fisk on the edge of the area but her first-touch attempt went screaming past the post.

The game was much more even with the midfield units controlling a lot of the game. Hayley Ladd proved a vital player in the middle whilst Miyazawa, during her first minutes for the club, showed her skill to move around the Liverpool players.

United’s third goal was a fantastic team effort with Miyazawa winning possession back on the edge of the area. Hannah Blundell collected the ball from her and guided it into the box, where Geyse took her time before shooting directly into the back of the net.

The visitors did not give in and they had a number of chances but Middleton-Patel was confident between the sticks.

This win was United’s second pre-season victory, with one final game, against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, to come before the start of the season – away at Aston Villa on 1 October.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Earps (Middleton-Patel, 45), Le Tissier, Ladd (Rabjohn, 70), Evans, Galton (Miyazawa, 45), Naalsund (Watson, 45), Toone (Blundell, 45), Zelem (Garcia, 45), Geyse (Aherne, 70), Turner, Parris (Ashton, 70).

Substitute not used: Crook.

Goals: Toone 10, 14; Geyse 68.

Liverpool: Micah (Laws, 60), Koivisto (Hobinger, 45), Hinds, Fisk, Fahey (Bonner, 36), Clark, Taylor (Nagano, 45), Bo Kearns (Holland, 45), Lundgaard (Enderby, 45), Flint, Roman Haug (Daniels, 45).

Substitute not used: Matthews

Goal: Flint 42.