Preview: United Women v Birmingham City
Manchester United Women return to WSL action for the first time in 2022 this Saturday afternoon, at the start of a busy nine-day spell.
The Reds' last triumph came back on 19 December, as Marc Skinner’s side comfortably ended 2021 in the best possible fashion, defeating Aston Villa 5-0.
With the undoubted aim of qualifying for next season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League, United could draw level on points with second-placed Chelsea, should results go our way this weekend.
Below is our handy guide to the Birmingham clash, with team news, form guides, information on how to buy tickets and more...
Report: United Women 5 Aston Villa 0
ArticleThe Reds' final game of 2021 features five goals, four scorers and three more WSL points.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Tickets are still available online for our 12:00 GMT kick-off at Leigh Sports Village, with adults priced at £6, while seniors and under-16s are £3. Disabled supporters requiring the use of accessible seating can call 0161 524 0211 to check availability.
Furthermore, tickets for the historic first Manchester United Women match to be played in front of fans at Old Trafford, against Everton on 27 March*, are available too. For more information, or to secure your seats now, head to www.manutd.com/womenstickets.
If you cannot be in attendance to cheer on the Reds this weekend, we will bring you team news, as well as updates at half-time and full-time, in the Manchester United App.
TEAM NEWS
Marc Skinner has confirmed that the trio of Jackie Groenen, Martha Harris and Carrie Jones have all returned to training in what will provide a huge boost in the coming weeks.
The United boss and forward Ella Toone received Barclays FA Women's Super League awards this week, collecting the Player and Manager of the Month accolades respectively. Toone, will look to continue her impressive form so far this season; the 22-year-old has scored five and assisted a further four goals in just 10 WSL appearances.
Furthermore, forward Alessia Russo scooped the PFA Vertu Motors WSL Fans' Player of the Month award for December, recognising her string of recent outstanding performances.
Russo took a sizeable 27% chunk of the final vote, pipping team-mates Toone and Vilde Boe Risa, as well as Reading’s Deanne Rose and Tottenham pair Jessica Naz and Rachel Williams, to claim the prize.
WSL awards for Marc and Ella
ArticleThe United pair react after being recognised for the Reds' perfect December in the top flight.
FORM GUIDE
The Reds come into the encounter unbeaten in the last three outings. The victory over Aston Villa last month followed equally impressive displays against both Everton in the Continental Cup and Brighton and Hove Albion in the WSL.
With three consecutive clean sheets along the way too, United boss Skinner will hope to build on those imperious defensive displays, as he prepares to face the side he took charge of from 2016 to 2019.
As for the visitors, they produced arguably the shock of the season last time out, defeating league leaders Arsenal to end their unbeaten start to the WSL season.
The victory lifted the Blues out of the single relegation place in the table, as they recorded their first success of the 2021/22 campaign.
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
The two teams have faced each other on four previous occasions, with the Reds victorious each time.
Having scored 12 and conceded only three goals, United will look to continue their impressive hot streak against Birmingham this weekend.
Leah Galton and Toone were both on the scoresheet in the most recent win, 2-0 earlier this season, as Skinner picked up his third competitive victory as our head coach.
RIVALS WATCH
Saturday 15 January
UNITED v Birmingham (12:00)
Aston Villa v Man City (12:30)
Sunday 16 January
Everton v Chelsea (13:00)
Leicester v Brighton (14:00)
Arsenal v Reading (14:30)
Tottenham v West Ham (18:45)
All kick-off times in GMT.