Match preview: United Women v Brighton
Manchester United Women return to Women's Super League action this weekend, as the Reds host Brighton & Hove Albion at Leigh Sports Village.
Following a record home win - 11-1 against Leicester City in the Continental League Cup on Thursday - Casey Stoney's side will be aiming to carry the positivity gained from this result into our upcoming match against Hope Powell's Seagulls.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of kick-off…
HOW CAN I WATCH IT?
Our match will be shown live on MUTV, with coverage getting under way at 11:30 GMT. We’ll also be providing updates through our official Twitter account @ManUtdWomen. After the conclusion of the game, a full match report will be published on ManUtd.com and on our Official App. If you can’t watch the game live, MUTV will be showing the full 90 minutes again at 19:30 GMT, with video highlights available on the website.
FORM GUIDE
It has been a steady start to life in the WSL for United, with nine points from six games, including comprehensive wins over Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Reading, and defender Abbie McManus has high hopes that we can get a positive result this weekend.
"They’ll [Brighton] think the momentum is with them as they’ll come from an impressive win. It’ll be interesting, but we’ll go into it like every other game."
The 26-year-old England international has made five league appearances for the Reds this term after arriving in the summer from Manchester City, and the defender is getting accustomed to being part of a new back four.
“I’ve been learning how to move my feet and block with my right foot. It’s definitely improving me as a defender.”
In terms of league position, we go into Sunday’s game in fifth place, with a four-point cushion over Hope Powell's side in ninth. The Seagulls secured their first victory of the campaign with a 3-0 victory against Birmingham City Women last weekend and are the only club to have taken points off the league leaders, Chelsea, this season.
KEY PLAYERS
United duo Amy Turner and Kirsty Hanson remain in fine form, after both picked up individual awards for their performances in October, with Turner named the PFA Player of the Month and Hanson announced as the Barclays FA WSL Player of the Month.
Hanson, the 21-year-old winger, has scored in two of our three victories so far in the WSL, including a superb volley against Reading, which was also nominated for United’s Goal of the Month in October. Her recent performances warranted her first call up to the Scotland squad for their 5-0 victory over Albania in Euro 2021 qualifying.
Meanwhile, Sheffield-born defender Turner has so far played a vital role in the Reds registering clean sheets in our wins over Tottenham and Reading and her impressive form may need to continue if Brighton are to be kept at bay.
Women's highlights: Brighton 0 United 2
Watch the key moments as Casey Stoney's side reached the SSE Women's FA Cup fifth round at Brighton's expense…
This will be only our second-ever meeting between the Reds and the Seagulls in all competitions, following an impressive result in the Women’s FA Cup last season, when a Lauren James brace and an excellent penalty save from Siobhan Chamberlain led to us securing a 2-0 win away from home.
RIVALS WATCH
Five other WSL matches are taking place this weekend, all of which are on Sunday. Local rivals Manchester City travel to Bristol City, while Liverpool are also away from home, against Arsenal.
Here are all the fixtures…
SUNDAY 24 NOVEMBER
Manchester United Women v Brighton & Hove Albion Women (12:00 GMT)
Bristol City Women v Manchester City Women (12:30 GMT)
Everton Women v Tottenham Hotspur Women (12:30 GMT)
Arsenal Women v Liverpool Women (14:00 GMT)
Birmingham City Women v Chelsea Women (14:45 GMT)
West Ham United Women v Reading Women (15:00 GMT)