Match preview: West Ham v United Women

Friday 23 September 2022 12:00

Manchester United Women will be hoping to follow up our impressive start to the WSL campaign this weekend, as we prepare to take on West Ham United at the Chigwell Construction Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Beginning the 2022/23 campaign in superb fashion last Saturday, Marc Skinner's side comfortably saw off Reading 4-0 at Leigh Sports Village, with all four goals coming inside the opening 35 minutes.

Debutant Maya La Tissier scored twice in our convincing triumph, whilst a Katie Zelem penalty alongside a fine Alessia Russo header ensured a perfect start to the new season. Roared on by a bumper crowd at LSV, the Reds will now be hoping to emulate that performance as we travel to the capital to face the Hammers.

You will be able to follow regular updates from the capital in the United App and via our women's team's dedicated Twitter account (@ManUtdWomen).

Here's everything else you need to know ahead of the 15:00 BST kick-off, as we look to make it two wins from two...

Highlights: United Women v Reading Video

Highlights: United Women v Reading

See how the action unfolded in United Women's 2022/23 WSL opener against Reading...

HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW

Tickets for this weekend's clash with West Ham remain available to purchase, with the game taking place at Dagenham and Redbridge's Chigwell Construction Stadium. Prices start at £13 for adults, while over 65's and under 21's admission is available for £11. Under 18s can be admitted at the cost of £5. 

Alternatively, the game will be shown live on The FA Player, with coverage beginning just before kick-off.

The team news, from 14:00 BST, along with regular updates from Dagenham throughout the afternoon, will be available in the United App. You can also see matchday coverage via our women's team's official Twitter channel: @ManUtdWomen.

TEAM NEWS

Skinner told reporters in his pre-match press conference that summer signing Grace Clinton is a doubt for the weekend's fixture after picking up an illness in the week.

Both Rachel Williams and Aoife Mannion will miss out for United again, with the pair still working through their own recovery programmes. Williams's knee injury is set to keep her sidelined for another few weeks, whilst the Reds are currently looking at a return in the new year for Mannion, according to the boss.

Skinner provides United Women's latest team news

 Article

The Reds have a fresh doubt for Sunday's trip to West Ham, while there's also updates on our longer-term absentees.

THE OPPOSITION

Also making a winning start to the new season last weekend, West Ham will hope to continue their early form following a narrow 1-0 win over Everton. New signing Lisa Evans netted the only goal of the game after Everton failed to deal with a corner into the penalty area. Evans was on hand to nod home her first goal of the new campaign, following her permanent to the club from Arsenal earlier this summer.

New boss Paul Konchesky has since taken over in East London and will hope to guide his side to further success, following the Hammers sixth placed finish in 21/22. 

Kirsty Smith is now applying her trade with the side, following her departure from United this summer. The 28-year-old spent four years with the Reds from 2018 to 2022 and joined West Ham on a two-year deal in July.

Skinner: We were devastating Video

Skinner: We were devastating

Marc Skinner is pleased with the energy and commitment of United Women against Reading this afternoon...

FORM GUIDE

With both sides enjoying a winning start to the new WSL campaign, Sunday's meeting will test the resolve of the teams. Skinner's Reds were in fine form as we comfortably beat the Royals last weekend, boasting three different scorers along the way. Russo opened her tally for the season, as the 23-year-old looks to build on last year's total of 11, whilst captain Zelem was particularly impressive too in the middle of the park. 

For the home side, West Ham will also be buoyed following a winning start last weekend, with Konchesky now at the helm following spells as a coach and assistant manager of the team. The Hammers won three and lost three in pre-season ahead of the campaign.

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

Having drawn 1-1 and emerged 3-0 victors in our two meetings with the Irons last season, Skinner's side will hope to continue our recent form having not succumbed to defeat against the London club since 2019.

Grace Fisk's late leveller cancelled out Ella Toone's opener in the away meeting back in March, whilst goals from Martha Thomas, an own goal from Fisk and a Leah Galton strike ensured our 3-0 success at Leigh Sports Village in May. 

Zelem: You can see our togetherness

 Article

Katie Zelem praises the Reds after a dominant display against Reading this afternoon...

RIVALS WATCH

Our game is one of six taking place in the division this weekend. See the full schedule below...

SATURDAY 24 SEPTEMBER

Arsenal v Tottenham (13:30)

SUNDAY 25 SEPTEMBER

Brighton v Reading (14:00)
West Ham v UNITED (15:00)
Leicester v Aston Villa (15:00)
Chelsea v Man City (16:00)
Liverpool v Everton (18:45)

All kick-off times are in BST.

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