The numbers behind United Women's 2022/23 campaign so far

From defence to attack, our title-chasing season has thrown up some impressive underlying numbers that have earned us a spot at the top of the table and a place in our first major final. 

It has been a WSL season of enthralling action, late drama and thrilling results. 

With the league campaign taking a pause to accompany the upcoming FA Cup final this weekend, we’re taking a look at some of the statistics behind our impressive season thus far. 

53 – RUTHLESS REDS

There is no denying that Marc Skinner’s side have been in high-flying form this season, and in a welcomed difference to our last campaign, we’ve shown our clinical edge in front of goal. After 20 games, our current tally stands at 53 and has included impressive home showings against the likes of Liverpool (6-0), Aston Villa, (5-0), and Brighton (4-0). 

50 – A FIRST

For the first time in our history, the Reds have achieved 50 points in the Women’s Super League, since being promoted in 2019. Our three-goal outing against Spurs at Leigh Sports Village saw us hit this total, and we still have two games to go. 

14 – FERGIE TIME

Skinner’s side have developed a real knack for cropping up with goals late in the day. This season we’ve scored 14 in the final 15 minutes of games, some of which have turned one point into three. It goes without saying that two of our most memorable late efforts came in away visits to Arsenal and Aston Villa. Trailing at the Emirates to the Gunners, Millie Turner’s late header levelled things up before Alessia Russo’s stoppage-time winner. More recently, Turner was on target once again at the death for the Reds, heading home a crucial winner against Villa in the dying moments of the game. 

13 – CLEAN SHEETS

As Sir Alex Ferguson’s famous quote states: “Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles.”

While the WSL title remains in the hands of reigning champions Chelsea, the Reds are continuing to push to the very end, and our stellar defensive record has played a defining role in that. The 3-0 win over Spurs last weekend was our 13th clean sheet in 20 outings so far, eight of which have come at LSV and five were kept away from home. 

11 – GOALS CONCEDED 

When United have conceded, which has been a rarity so far this term, we’ve worked to keep it at a minimum. The back-five of Mary Earps in goal and Ona Batlle, Maya Le Tissier, Turner, and Hannah Blundell have been mainstays in our defence and have helped build the foundations from which many impressive performances have come. It stands as the best defensive record in the league currently - though Arsenal have also conceded 11 and have played two fewer games than the Reds.  

10 – GALTON AND RUSSO

While the WSL golden boot is set to be awarded elsewhere, internally there is an ongoing battle for who will end the campaign as United’s top-scorer. Both Leah Galton and Russo appear to be going head-to-head for the honours, and just when it looks like one pushes ahead, the other get themselves on the scoresheet. Our duo are both on 10 for the season as things stand, and are the joint-third top scorers in the league. 

9 – BATLLE AT THE BACK

United right-back Batlle is one assist away from entering double figures in the league for goals she has created. Despite being a defender, our no.2’s attacking intent is evident in the numbers she has put up. With nine assists, she is second only to Chelsea’s Guro Reiten in the standings - it's worth keeping in mind that Reiten is an attacking midfielder too!

Batlle is equal to United’s Kirsty Hanson – on loan at Aston Villa – and Manchester City’s Chloe Kelly. Midfielders Katie Zelem and Ella Toone are not far behind either, with each sitting on eight assists. To put into context just how good Batlle's numbers are, the next closest defender to her for goals assisted is Liverpool's Emma Koivisto, who has registered four in the league. 

2 – THE DOUBLE 

While Skinner’s side have registered plenty of impressive wins this season, our two against top-three rivals Arsenal will no doubt be up there for the players and fans alike. After beating the Gunners in their own backyard earlier in the season, we welcomed them to LSV more recently and recorded a narrow 1-0 win. Russo scored the sole goal of the game, her fourth consecutive against the north London club, while Aoife Mannion put in a standout display at the back. United became just the third team – joining Chelsea and City – to do the league double over Arsenal.