Women's internationals: Two Reds face-off
A host of Manchester United Women's players have been in action already during the current international break for their countries.
Friday night saw the 2025 UEFA Women’s Nations League get under way for many nations, including a clash in Group A2 which saw two nations involving Reds go head to head as Melvine Malard’s France faced a Norway side who had Elisabeth Terland and Celin Bizet in their squad.
Malard posted a photo of her with Terland on her Instagram story with the caption: “Rivals today, team-mates tomorrow.”
United’s no.9 started for France and was replaced in the 59th minute by Marie-Antoinette Katoto, who went on to score the only goal in the 73rd minute. That came moments before Terland was introduced off the bench for Norway but Bizet did not make it on to the pitch.
Elsewhere, Grace Clinton and Ella Toone were in the starting XI for England as the Lionesses began their Group A3 campaign with a 1-1 draw away to Portugal - in which former Reds striker Alessia Russo found the net. Reds captain Maya Le Tissier and fellow defender Millie Turner were unused substitutes for Sarina Wiegman’s side.
In Group A3, Dominique Janssen was brought on as a 71st-minute substitute in the Netherlands’ 2-2 home draw with Germany.
United teenager Mared Griffiths made her debut for Wales when she entered the action in the 69th minute of their 1-0 defeat to Italy in Group A4. Reds stopper Safia Middleton-Patel was an unused sub on the night.
It was a special evening for former Reds defender Hayley Ladd, who became just the 10th player to reach 100 caps for Wales as she captained the side and switched from her usual central defensive position to anchor the midfield.
Meanwhile, in Group B4, Aoife Mannion played her part in the build-up to Caruso’s goal in first-half stoppage time which earned the Republic of Ireland a 1-0 win over Turkey in former Aston Villa boss Carla Ward’s first match in charge.
Across Europe, fellow Reds defender Jayde Riviere was in Pinatar Cup action for Canada on Saturday. The 2020 Olympic gold medallists - now managed by former United boss Casey Stoney - were 2-0 winners over Mexico in Spain, with former Reds forward Adriana Leon sealing the victory late on. Simi Awujo was an unused sub for the Canadians.
In the United States, Hinata Miyazawa came on as a second-half substitute in Japan’s 4-0 win over Australia in Texas on Thursday night in the SheBelieves Cup. She could be in action again this evening (Sunday) when the Japanese take on Colombia in Glendale.
Our young defender Lucy Newell - currently on loan at Blackburn Rovers - was in the starting XI for England Under-19s in their 2-0 defeat to Spain in their opening game of the Albir Garden Tournament in Alicante.