United Women’s history-making FA Cup run
On Sunday, 14 January, Manchester United will play Newcastle United in our first Adobe Women’s FA Cup outing of the 2023/24 campaign.
Reaching Wembley marked another moment of history for the Reds, who booked a spot in our first domestic final since reforming in 2018.
Ahead of our competition curtain call, we’re taking a look back at the run that wrote itself into the club’s folklore.
Highlights: Sunderland v United Women
Watch the key moments from United's Vitality Women's FA Cup match away to Sunderland...
United kicked off our 2022/23 FA Cup campaign with a visit to Sunderland, a side steeped in rich history and known for producing some of England’s brightest talents. Nikita Parris fired us ahead before the interval, with the Black Cats back on level terms soon after the break. Parris was on hand to complete her brace late on, helping the Reds to kickstart our campaign with a 2-1 victory away from home.
FIFTH ROUND: UNITED 5 DURHAM 0
Fans will know all too well what a tricky opponent Durham have been for the Reds since we reformed almost six years ago now. Although that has predominantly happened in the Continental Tyres Cup, there was an air of caution when we welcomed them to LSV in the FA Cup. Thankfully, Skinner’s side dispatched the Championship club comprehensively in a 5-0 fifth-round victory. A sublime free-kick from ex-Reds midfielder Vilde Boe Risa set us on our way, with second-half strikes from Leah Galton, Hannah Blundell, Alessia Russo and eventually Parris making it a rout.
Highlights: United Women v Durham
Relive all the key moments from Leigh Sports Village, as United Women booked a spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals...
A trip to the south coast would see us face a second Championship club in the form of Lewes, as we looked to book a spot in the semi-final of the competition - a feat we had yet to achieve. An own-goa by Rhian Cleverly, after excellent combination play from Batlle and Russo, would see us establish an early lead. Boe Risa added a second after the interval, before Emily Kraft gave Lewes a lifeline. A late goal from Parris sealed our place in the last four and put the Reds on the precipice of history.
Highlights: Lewes v United Women
A place in the Women's FA Cup semi-finals was up for grabs as United Women travelled to Lewes - here's the highlights...
SEMI-FINAL: UNITED 3 BRIGHTON 2
Just one game stood between United and a place at Wembley - unfamiliar territory for the Reds since reforming in 2018. In a season when we would crop up regularly with ‘Fergie time’ winners, it was almost guaranteed that there would be nothing straightforward about Brighton’s visit to LSV. An uncharacteristic error from Mary Earps allowed the Seagulls to establish a lead, but a quick-fire start after the break saw Galton and Russo complete the turnaround… or so we thought. Minutes after her introduction, Brighton's second-half substitute Danielle Carter found the back of the net to pull things level. United threw everything at the visitors' goal and in the approach to full-time, it finally paid off. From the bench, Rachel Williams was played in behind to slot the ball under Lydia Williams and send the Reds marching on, on, on!
Highlights: United Women v Brighton
See how United Women booked a place in the 2023 FA Cup final, with this five-goal thriller at Leigh Sports Village...
77,390. The biggest crowd for a women’s domestic football game in the United Kingdom. That is what our players walked out to experience, in one of the game’s most prestigious stadiums, Wembley. For many of our squad, this was uncharted territory, but that didn’t stop us from standing up to the occasion. We almost got off to a dream start with an opening goal mere seconds after kick off, but it was sadly ruled out for offside. An evenly contested affair was ultimately settled by Sam Kerr, whose sole goal of the game secured the first trophy of a domestic double for Chelsea.
Highlights: Chelsea v United Women
Watch the best action from United Women's first-ever FA Cup final, against Chelsea at Wembley...
SECURE YOUR SEAT
Do you want to be there when United kick off our 2023/24 FA Cup campaign?
Newcastle’s visit to Leigh Sports Village on Sunday 14 January marks our first outing in this term’s edition of the competition, and e-tickets are still available to buy for the 12:00 GMT kick-off.
Click this link to secure your seat now!