Katie Zelem

Preview: United Women v Birmingham

Saturday 23 January 2021 12:00

Manchester United Women take on Birmingham City Ladies in the Women’s Super League on Sunday.

Casey Stoney’s Reds will be looking to bounce back after falling to defeat against Chelsea in our last WSL match.

This time around, United welcome the Blues from Birmingham, at Leigh Sports Village.

We have rounded up all you need to know ahead of fixture…

Highlights: Birmingham 2 United Women 5 Video

Highlights: Birmingham 2 United Women 5

Goals from Jane Ross, Katie Zelem, Ella Toone and Kirsty Hanson (2) earned our first WSL win of the new season...

WHERE CAN I WATCH IT?

The match will be broadcast on the FA Player in the UK, with kick-off on Sunday set for 12:00 GMT. The full match will be shown on MUTV from 14:00 GMT.

FORM GUIDE

United’s unbeaten start to the league season came to an end against Chelsea last weekend - Stoney’s side had gone ten matches unbeaten prior to that loss. We do, however, find ourselves level on points with the leaders after a string of strong performances in this campaign. 

Birmingham find themselves three points above the relegation zone in eighth spot. Carla Ward's team have won three times this season with two of those victories coming in their last five league matches. The visitors come into this fixture having drawn 0-0 with Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

The sides have met twice before, with United coming out on top on both occasions. In our first meeting, in December 2019, the Reds won 3-1 away from home thanks to goals from Lizzie Arnot, Jane Ross and Ella Toone.

In our most recent battle, in the reverse fixture back in September 2020, strikes from Ross, Katie Zelem, Toone and Kirsty Hanson (2) sealed a 5-2 win on away soil. 

TEAM NEWS

United have been putting in the hard work ahead of this fixture and our women are raring to go.

Tobin Heath missed out on the action at Kingsmeadow last time out with a niggle. She made the bench in the capital and will hope to make a return to the starting line-up against Birmingham.

As well, we might see a fresh face for the Reds. United welcomed a new signing on Friday, with Norwegian defender Maria Thorirsdottir joining from Chelsea on a two-year deal, with the option of a further year. Since our last WSL match, Abbie McManus has left to join Tottenham Hotspur on loan until the end of the season.

Alessia Russo is continuing to work hard on her recovery to action but will not be available on Sunday. 

WHO ELSE IS IN ACTION?

There is also plenty of action going on elsewhere in the WSL this weekend. Let’s have a look at how the fixture list shapes up…

SATURDAY 23 JANUARY

Aston Villa v Reading (12:30 GMT)

SUNDAY 24 JANUARY

UNITED v Birmingham City (12:00 GMT)

Arsenal v West Ham (12:00 GMT)

Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester City (14:00 GMT)

Bristol City v Chelsea (14:00 GMT)

Tottenham Hotspur v Everton (14:30 GMT)

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