United Women make history at Wembley
Manchester United are the Adobe Women’s FA Cup winners!
Marc Skinner's Reds made history by beating Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 on a hot day at Wembley Stadium, to claim a first major piece of women's silverware for the club, only six years after the team was formed in 2018.
United's co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe sent a congratulatory message from Old Trafford, where he was attending our men's Premier League game against Arsenal with members of the stadium task force. Meanwhile, Avram Glazer was the ownership's representative at Wembley.
“Congratulations to Manchester United’s women’s team on lifting the FA Cup today,” said Sir Jim. “A proud and historic moment for the team that is testament to their grit, determination and team spirit. A wonderful achievement. Many congratulations.”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Chairman of INEOS: “Congratulations to the @ManUtdWomen team on lifting the FA Cup today. A proud and historic moment for the team that is testament to their grit, determination and team spirit. A wonderful achievement. Many congratulations.”#MUWomen… https://t.co/WzEVPYTDWb
— INEOS (@INEOS) May 12, 2024
After a nervy first half from both sides, an Ella Toone screamer meant the Reds went into half-time in front.
Lisa Naalsund drove the ball forward on the right-hand side from her own half and found Toone in space.
With nobody closing her down, she shifted past Eveliina Summanen and curled the ball into the top corner.
After half-time, United took control of the game. Rachel Williams, who had a number of first-half opportunities, rose highest to head home from a Katie Zelem free-kick.
Just three minutes later, and we made it 3-0 after a mistake from Tottenham goalkeeper Becky Spencer. Her pass fell straight to the feet of Lucia Garcia and our Spaniard took her time to slot it into an empty net.
The Reds were impressive throughout the second half and Garcia added a second to her goal tally before the afternoon.
Melvine Malard, substitute for the injured Leah Galton, sent the ball into the box where Lisa Naalsund played it short to Garcia, who picked her spot and found the back of the net with confidence.
The emphatic 4-0 scoreline reflected a dominant performance for Skinner's and at full-time, the masses of United supporters bedecked in red around the national stadium erupted in celebration.
Marc Skinner: “Obviously we’re not where we want to be in the league but we are now history-makers for Manchester United. We want to be challenging for titles, of course we do, but adding that first piece of silverware is really important for the psyche, and so we’ve got nothing but growth to happen.”
Lucia Garcia: “I’m so happy. It’s been a tough match. We deserved that. We have [shown] fight until the end and we deserved that. It’s been a tough season for us and we deserve this win.”
Rachel Williams: “We knew Tottenham were going to make it hard from only playing them a few weeks ago. For us today, it was just about being in control, taking the game to them and then, hopefully, we would win. And we have.”
Speaking to BBC Sport
GET TICKETS FOR OLD TRAFFORD
United Women have just one game left to play this season, and it will be at Old Trafford, as we host Emma Hayes's title-chasing Chelsea in the Women's Super League. Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00 BST next Saturday, 18 May.
Whatever happens on the pitch between the two great rivals, it promises to be a special day as the FA Cup will be paraded in front of the home fans by our Wembley winners.
You can buy your tickets for this historic occasion here now.