Preview: Manchester United Women v Bristol City
This Sunday sees the return of Manchester United Women to Leigh Sports Village, to take on Bristol City in the WSL.
TEAM NEWS
Four brilliant goals were not the only positive from our trip to the South Coast last weekend. Jayde Riviere made her return from injury, slotting easily back into Skinner’s line-up and allowing Nikita Parris to push forward and lead a dangerous attack.
Emma Watson, Gabby George, Hinata Miyazawa and Jess Simpson are all awaiting their own injury comebacks, and the manager could share futher updates on their recoveries at his press conference on Friday.
Meanwhile, Geyse's stint away on international duty with Brazil at the CONCACAF W Gold Cup ended earlier ths week, when her country lost in the final.
Geyse misses out on Gold Cup triumph
ArticleThe United Women forward and Brazil were defeated in the final of the tournament by hosts USA.
TICKET INFORMATION
There are only five more home games this season, so don’t miss out on your chance to soak in the atmosphere and support the Reds from the stands. Get your ticket for this weekend’s match here.
You can also buy tickets for our other remaining home fixtures:
Sun 31 Mar: Everton (14:00 BST)*
Sat 13 Apr: Chelsea - FA Cup (TBC)*
Sun 21 Apr: Tottenham (12:00 BST)*
Sun 18 May: Chelsea (15:00 BST)**
*Times and dates to be confirmed
**This game is being played at Old Trafford
HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME?
If you can’t make it down to LSV, fans in the UK can watch the game live on MUTV, ManUtd.com and the United App with coverage starting at 11:45 GMT. For supporters overseas, a live stream is available via The FA Player. A match report and reaction will follow the full-time whistle, across our platforms.
THE OPPOSITION
Bristol City come into the weekend with a point to prove. Their one win out 15 paints the picture of a highly challenging season, but they have been pushing teams right to the wire, getting draws against Everton, Liverpool and Aston Villa, and only narrowly losing to Brighton and Arsenal.
Former Reds midfielder Carrie Jones made the move from Leicester City to Bristol at the start of the 23/24 season and has played an integral part of the Robins' midfield, hitting the back of the net on three occasions. Their other big threat in front of goal is the Danish striker Amelie Thestrup, who has scored in their past four games and has an overall tally of nine goals for the season. Undoubtedly, Thestrup will be keen to continue that run of form on Sunday, if given the opportunity.
With relegation looking probable, the stakes are high for Lauren Smith's side and they will be approaching Sunday’s game desperately looking for a swift discovery of some form.
Highlights: Bristol City v United Women
Watch all the key moments from our WSL clash at Ashton Gate...
The two sides last played each other in November 2023 when we came away with all three points in a comfortable 2-0 win. Aside from goals apiece for Parris and Miyazawa, the record home crowd of 14,138 that came out to watch the two teams at Ashton Gate Stadium made it a day to remember.
Prior to that, the sides have come head to head on three occasions in the WSL, with United only being beaten once, a 1-0 defeat at LSV back in 2019/20. The Reds were denied the chance to make amends in the away fixture, as the campaign was cut short due to Covid.
Nevertheless, in the next meeting during the 2021/22 season, the Reds claimed a convincing 6-1 victory at home. Leah Galton scored twice on the day and Millie Turner also got her name on the scoresheet. In our away fixture against the Robins that season, United also took all three points with a 1-0 win, courtesy of an own goal from Yana Daniëls, who now plays for Liverpool.
WHO ELSE IS PLAYING?
The headline fixture of the weekend sees Chelsea take on Arsenal in what promises to be a scintillating London derby, with the teams currently positioned first and third in the WSL title race.
There’s all to play for – an away win offers the Gunners the chance to draw level with Emma Hayes's side on points, but the real beneficaries of that outcome could be second-placed Manchester City.
If Jonas Eidevall's team do manage to beat the current leaders, then our local rivals would have the opportunity to go three points clear at the top by securing a victory over Brighton.
Friday 15 March
Chelsea v Arsenal (19:00 GMT)
Saturday 16 March
Everton v Aston Villa (13:00 GMT)
Sunday 17 March
Liverpool v West Ham (12:00 GMT)
Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester City (12:30 GMT)
Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City(14:00 GMT)