Match Preview: United Women v Chelsea
Manchester United Women take on Chelsea in a massive clash in the Women’s Super League on Sunday.
As the week comes to an end, the WSL returns from the international break with a bang as the Reds host reigning league campions Chelsea at Leigh Sports Village. Ahead of the highly anticipated encounter, here’s all you need to know…
HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME?
The game kicks off at 12:30 BST and tickets to see the massive clash Leigh Sports Village are now available at just £6 for adults and £3 for Under 16 and over 65. You can purchase your tickets here.
If you cannot make it to Leigh Sports Village, the encounter will be shown live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer in the UK. You can also watch a summary of the match on MUTV on Monday at 12:00 BST and 19:30 BST.
We will also keep you updated with all the action on manutd.com, on our social media pages and in our Official App, with a match report to come shortly after the full-time whistle.
🗣 @Leah_Galton21 wants to see 𝘆𝗼𝘂 at @LSVStadium on Sunday 🤞
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) September 20, 2021
Get your tickets for United v Chelsea now 🎟⤵️#MUWomen | #FAWSL
TEAM NEWS
The Reds are back in Manchester following an eventful international break. Jackie Gronen scored for the Netherlands, Martha Thomas fired home for Scotland and Ella Toone scored her first international goal for England.
As well, Maria Thorisdottir and Vilde Boe Risa played their part for Norway in two triumphs. As well, Ona Batlle, Hayley Ladd, Carrie Jones, Kirsty Hanson and Mary Earps all played for their respective national teams during the break. Katie Zelem and Lucy Staniorth were unused substitutes for the Lionesses.
Skinner has a strong squad full of internationals to choose from on Sunday meanwhile Millie Turner continues her recovery following the knee injury she sustained against Leicester City last time out.
FORM GUIDE
United have started the season strongly under new manager Marc Skinner, winning both of our two opening fixtures with two-goal margins.
On the opening day of the WSL campaign, Kirsty Hanson and Ona Batlle was on target in our 2-0 triumph over Reading. Then, goals from Ella Toone, Maria Thorisdottir and Martha Thomas sealed a 3-1 win over Leicester City in our last match before the international break.
As for Chelsea, they’ve won once and lost once so far this season. The Blues lost 3-2 to London rivals Arsenal in the season premiere but bounced back to beat Everton 4-0.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This will be the fourth time we face the Blues in the WSL. Last campaign, United and Chelsea played out a 1-1 draw at Leigh Sports Village, as Leah Galton scored late for the Reds following Sam Kerr's opener to secure a point. The reverse fixture, in January this year, we fell to a 2-1 defeat at Kingsmeadow. Lauren James, now playing for the Blues, scored United's goal that day.
In our first ever meeting, in November 2019, the capital outfit came away with three point with narrowest of margins, a 1-0 triumph.
Women's highlights: United 1 Chelsea 1
Leah Galton's late goal helped Casey Stoney's Reds secure a deserved point against the WSL champions...
RIVALS WATCH
It’s set for a busy weekend in the WSL, with another huge clash, Manchester City v Arsenal, also taking place on Sunday. Here’s how the weekend shapes up…
SATURDAY 25 SEPTEMBER
Everton v Birmingham City (11:30 BST)
SUNDAY 26 SEPTEMBER
UNITED v Chelsea (12:30 BST)
Brighton & Hove Albion v Aston Villa (14:00 BST)
Tottenham Hotspur v Reading (14:00 BST)
West Ham United v Leicester City (15:00 BST)
Manchester City v Arsenal (18:45 BST)