Manchester United Women v Everton match programme, WSL, 21.03.26

INSide

YOUR MATCH PROGRAMME

HEAD

COLUMN

TALK OF THE TERRACE

CAPTAIN’S COLUMN

LEAGUE CUP FINAL

LUNDKVIST EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

FAN MESSAGES

MOST WINS INFOGRAPHIC

PLAYER PROFILES

THE OPPOSITION

JUNIOR REDS

STATS AT THE BACK

ADDED-TIME QUIZ

MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB

Co-chairmen Joel Glazer, Avram Glazer

Directors Bryan Glazer, Kevin Glazer, Edward Glazer, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, Michael Edelson, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill CBE, Omar Berrada, Sir Dave Brailsford Secretary Rebecca Britain

Honorary president Martin Edwards

MATCH PROGRAMME TEAM

Editor Charlie Ghagan Contributors Mikey Partington, Helen Rowe-Willcocks, Isaac Stacey Stronge, Sean Mullan, Jamie Spencer, Matt Brown, Matt Holt

Design Tom Chase Photography Poppy Townson, Ash Donelon, Zohaib Alam, Getty, Alamy Thanks to Ellie Decrop, Paul Davies, John Shiel, Mark Froggatt Printed by MuPrint.com © Manchester United 2026

SKINNER Marc

WE’VE GOT MUCH TO PLAY FOR IN THE WEEKS AHEAD, SAYS THE BOSS -- AND TODAY WE’LL NEED TO BE AT OUR BATTLING BEST AGAINST AN IN-FORM EVERTON SIDE...

Welcome back to the Progress With Unity Stadium. With such quick turnarounds between games, it’s important to make sure we are learning from each result. No matter the outcome, there are always things we will want to work on, and I know the squad are really good at wanting to make sure they are improving all the time.

We learnt a lot from the Subway League Cup final last weekend. We know we have to be clinical. We had more than enough moments within the game down in Bristol but we could not build on our momentum.

We still have a lot of exciting moments still to come this season and it’s important we use our unique togetherness to carry us through the remainder of the campaign.

Our fans, as always, have been incredible, both in the League Cup final and also against

West Ham. The Chigwell Construction Stadium is never an easy place to go to –especially on a Wednesday after such a quick turnaround – and I want to thank those who travelled. We heard you as we always do. It is good to be back at home for the first of three important home games. Everton are on a good run and we know we’ll be facing a tough opponent. We also welcome Hannah Blundell back to the stadium – even though she cannot play today, it will be nice to see her once again. Once again the fans’ voices will be incredibly important as we fight for every point in our pursuit of a Champions League finish in the league. Thank you for your support and enjoy the game.

picture THE BIG STEPPING OUT DOWN SOUTH...

Three days on from League Cup final disappointment in Bristol, the Reds were competing away from home once again, this time in Dagenham, east London, where we were left frustrated by hosts West Ham in the Barclays Women’s Super League.

Kick-off was delayed by 10 minutes due to travel disruption affecting the Reds’ arrival, with the first whistle belatedly blown at 7.25pm.

Marc Skinner’s side created the better chances across the ensuing 90 minutes, but were unable to

find a way past a dogged Hammers backline as their centre-back Eva Nystrom was awarded Barclays Player of the Match and goalkeeper Kinga Szemik made five saves. Skinner wasn’t the only one at the game who felt Lea Schuller should have been awarded a penalty after being bundled over in the box, while the introduction of Melvine Malard, just before the hour mark, saw the visitors increase the goal threat, but the French forward couldn’t convert a couple of

half-chances as Rita Guarino’s side defended resiliently to pick up a useful point at the opposite end of the table.

For United, the stalemate means our winning league run, stretching back to January, ends at four games. And combined with Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Brighton on the same night, it saw the Reds slip to third in the WSL standings, heading into today’s visit of Everton to the Progress With Unity Stadium.

Terrace TAlk ofthe

ALL THE CHAT AHEAD OF TODAY’S TUSSLE WITH THE TOFFEES...

Welcome back, Reds. It’s been a while! We last met here for our Champions League second-leg clash with Atletico Madrid, which is now over a month ago. That one went quite well, but now our attention turns to the WSL… It’s our second helping of league action this week, following our trip to Dagenham to face West Ham on Wednesday, as we squeeze games into an already tight schedule to make up for our appearance in the Women’s League Cup final against Chelsea last Sunday. That was our second knockout encounter with the Blues since our last appearance in Leigh. There’s no avoiding the fact we didn’t get the result we wanted on both counts, exiting the FA Cup fifth round in extra-time,

before seeing a first League Cup trophy slip out of our grasp down at Ashton Gate.

Two tough results to take, but we ran Chelsea close both times. Are there other positives to take from those games? Those encounters felt much closer to two equals battling it out than some of our other meetings with Chelsea have in recent years – first we forced Sonia Bompastor’s side into extra-time with a late Simi Awujo goal in the FA Cup, and we took the game to the Blues more recently in the League Cup. Our top scorer in all competitions this season, Elisabeth Terland, looked like netting on more than one occasion in Bristol. Anyone who was there will agree: the performance didn’t warrant a 2-0 loss.

Today feels like a good opportunity to put that behind us and build some momentum for the rest of the season, then. How are we looking against Everton?

If it’s anything like our last meeting: great! The Merseysiders took the lead in our first-ever trip to Hill Dickinson Stadium in October, but the Reds fought back spectacularly to bag a 4-1 victory, with two late goals from Jess Park. She was at it again last time out here against Atleti, netting a screamer from outside the box. Park struck from a similar position, on the end of a

determined solo run, in our previous game here a week earlier, against London City, which clinched her the WSL Goal of the Month award. Can Jess make it three from three in Leigh today? Scott Phelan’s Everton will be all too aware of her threat – especially the players who were once her team-mate (see p36) – and the visitors are likely to form much of their gameplan around denying her space to run into.

We’re getting towards the business end of the season, meaning three points feels especially important today... A win against the Toffees could prove crucial in our hunt for a top-three spot in the WSL, which would guarantee entry into next season’s Champions League, a competition we’ve had a lot of fun in this term. Naturally, we aren’t the only club interested in booking a place there, with Arsenal and Chelsea jostling with us for position, just below Manchester City. It’s been assumed for some time that our crosstown rivals, who currently

top the table, are on course to walk it across the finish line, having built up a head of steam earlier this campaign. Dropped points are a big deal round these parts, so a few eyebrows were raised when City were held to a 0-0 draw against Aston Villa in the Midlands, just over a month after they lost away to the Gunners. We’ll need further slip-ups from Andree Jeglertz’s side to have any designs on claiming top spot, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t crank up the pressure on our rivals wherever possible, especially given their creeping discomfort away from home.

We’ll have a great chance to do just that when City visit Old Trafford next week... Yep, and that’s not the only exciting fixture coming up. Once the final whistle blows here, our attention first turns to an Old Trafford date with Bayern Munich on Wednesday –a quarter-final first-leg clash that is one of the biggest in our history, with a chance to book our spot in the last four at stake. But there won’t be much time to dwell on that game, as just a few days later we’re straight back to the Theatre of Dreams for that Manchester derby, before heading out to Germany the following Wednesday for our Champions League second-leg decider. There’s a lot going on, but before all that the only focus for Marc Skinner and his squad is beating the Toffees today. Let’s do this, Reds. ●

The International Suite, situated in the Stretford End, will host the free event

UWCL FAN ZONE

It’s the place to be before our big night at Old Trafford this coming Wednesday

If you’re planning on coming to Old Trafford for Wednesday’s UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich, you can join fellow Reds at our free fan zone ahead of the game. Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm and supporters attending the fixture – our historic first at the last-eight stage of the competition – can soak up all the pre-match atmosphere at the official Theatre of Dreams fan zone from 4.30pm to 7.15pm. Simply head to the International Suite, located in the Stretford End, to be a part of our countdown to kick-off. Entry is on a first come, first served basis and permitted until 6.45pm, subject to demand.

At the fan zone, you will be able to get your photo with the Women’s Euro trophy, hear a Q&A with a member of the United Women squad and enjoy live music. There will also be exclusive giveaways and prizes, food and drink options, an appearance from Fred the Red, face painting and the chance to speak to our official Women’s supporters’ club. It would be great to see you there, and there is still time to secure your ticket to the game if you are yet to do so – simply scan this code:

United midfielder Hinata Miyazawa remains unavailable for the Reds today, but it is a significant matchday for our no.20, who is hoping to help Japan beat hosts Australia in the final of the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup. Kick-off in Sydney was at 9am UK time, so the result of the game may now be known, depending on when you’re reading this. Marc Skinner said earlier this month there is a chance Hinata – who had started all but one of our matches this season before missing the last two while helping her country reach the final –could be back in a United shirt as early as Wednesday’s clash with Bayern, all being well.

CEO’S PRAISE MIYAZAWA’S IN THE FINAL

Although the Reds missed out on lifting the League Cup last weekend, the club’s chief executive officer Omar Berrada was among those to salute the Reds, saying: “Although Sunday’s result is disappointing, it does not take away from the enormous progress this team continues to make. Reaching another major final shows the strides we are taking, and we are immensely proud of the players, staff for their incredible efforts, and supporters who have been with us every step of the way. This group is building something special, and Sunday only strengthens our belief in what we can achieve together.”

Maya THE CAPTAIN

AS

WE

BEGIN A RUN OF

THREE

BIG

HOME FIXTURES, OUR SKIPPER HOPES SHE AND HER FELLOW REDS CAN GIVE YOU FANS PLENTY TO CHEER ABOUT...

To be back at the Progress With Unity Stadium after some long journeys on the road is a nice feeling.

You fans have been amazing travelling away with us and we really appreciate the support you’ve given us on those trips down south, including the League Cup final in Bristol.

We get a lot of confidence from playing at home because of our fans. You are always so loud and supportive, and we are going to need you in these three home games coming up. Whether here in Leigh today or at Old Trafford against Bayern Munich and

Manchester City in our next two fixtures, your support keeps us going from the first whistle to the last, so I hope you’ve got your tickets for the two big games next week! We need to get Old Trafford rocking!

First of all though, we face Everton in an important WSL fixture. When we last faced them, in October, it was a good game at their new stadium and we came away with a solid victory. A lot has changed for them since then, however, and we do not take any game for granted. They have a different manager now and we know they could play slightly differently today. Everton have some good players and have had some impressive results lately, but if we do everything right then we know that’ll put us in the best place to take the three points.

BEATEN IN BRISTOL...

WE CERTAINLY HAD

OUR

MOMENTS DOWN

AT ASHTON GATE LAST SUNDAY, ONLY FOR THE BLUES TO

ONCE

The final whistle had sounded and, as the Chelsea players celebrated in front of their supporters at Ashton Gate, a glance across to the other side of Bristol City’s home – from our press box high in the stadium’s main stand –captured a moment to remember on our first appearance in the Women’s League Cup final.

A frustrated, disappointed group of United players and staff were huddled on the wet Bristol turf, before breaking their intimate circle to form a line and open that connection to the 3,000-plus travelling Reds fans that adorned the Atyeo Stand.

As those on the pitch clapped in appreciation, the red flags – which had greeted supporters at their seats before kick-off – were a prideful symbol that waved back at them, recognising the squad’s efforts in the showpiece fixture, and throughout what has been a positive campaign to date.

“We felt them throughout the whole game, and it means a lot to us, that they come here to support us,” midfielder Julia Zigiotti said of that backing from the stands at full-time.

United might have been 170 miles from these parts, but a feeling of home was palpable through that support, even before play had got under way. The red, white and black flags – many inspired by our players’ names – hung proudly from railings like they were in the North Stand here in Leigh, while a torrential downpour as both teams got into position for the first kick further resembled a Greater Manchester matchday.

The blazing cup-final pyrotechnics and a rendition of the national anthem, just moments earlier, were a reminder that this was something different though. A reminder that more history was being made by our team on the biggest stages.

AGAIN DENY US SILVERWARE. OUR REPORTER ON THE DAY, MIKEY PARTINGTON, RECALLS THE CONTEST

Though the gushing rain continued for much of the first half, it was clear to see Marc Skinner’s Reds were troubling Chelsea. What might have been had Elisabeth Terland – whose less familiar attacking-midfield assignment was almost immediately obvious from our towering vantage point in the media area – not seen her threatening second-minute attempt tipped around the post by stretching Blues goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.

Or indeed if Terland’s effort later in the half hadn’t bounced upwards off the top of the crossbar rather than drop in off the soaked woodwork.

Our Norwegian no.10, who enjoyed the space afforded by her new role, looked the most likely to score in a half in which Lauren James proved to be the only past or present Red to find the target. After scoring against her former club on 19 minutes, the cupped-ear celebration in front of the Atyeo Stand might have jolted some fans, but Skinner’s players took little time to get back to the halfway line for the restart, refocused and ready to push again.

At half-time, the damp conditions subsided almost in tandem with the break in play. As spring-like sunshine peeped from beyond the cloudy Bristol skies and news of Casemiro putting the men’s team in front at Old Trafford filtered through, one wondered if the cumulative signs were foreshadowing the shift momentum that we were after.

Encouragement followed as United started the half with a new energy that seeped through to those watching in the stands. ‘We love United, we do!’ was the chant that came from behind the goal we were now attacking, as Lisa Naalsund stung the palms of Hampton with a fierce strike and a signal of intent.

But Chelsea weren’t holders of the competition for no reason. The Blues’ organised

unfortunatelywe couldn’tgivethefans awintoday,butwehave tokeepgoingforthem --JuliaZigiotti

resistance limited further chances for us to hit back, at least until after half-time substitute Aggie Beever-Jones had extended their advantage to two, with just over 10 minutes to play.

A lifeline at the other end would never come –even if Melvine Malard (below) and Lea Schuller did go close to netting in a lengthy added-time period – but the announcement over the PA system of the final attracting a record-breaking crowd for the competition, of 21,619 supporters, was something that those of a United persuasion were able to show solace in, shortly before the sound of the final whistle.

After the huddle and show of appreciation for the travelling faithful, it was noticeable that Skinner’s charges stayed on the pitch to watch the Blues lift the trophy, gracious in applause as champagne sprayed out from winners’ bottles and gold ribbons fell before Sonia Bompastor’s celebrating team.

The Reds did the same after losing the 2023 and 2025 FA Cup finals to the Blues, either side of lifting that trophy and securing the club’s first piece of major women’s silverware in 2024. The hope now is that on the back of reaching our first League Cup final, this painful sight can fuel more big moments across what is a rousing run-in, that will include our first involvement at the UEFA Champions League’s quarter-final stage and five more big matches in the league.

In every moment left in 2025/26, the support of those fans that were cheering on from Bristol and beyond will provide a primary motivation for players and staff, as promised by Zigiotti: “We wanted to give the fans a win today –unfortunately we couldn’t do that, but we have to keep going for them.” ●

Donate new or good quality pre-loved books to children in need

Manchester United Women

v Manchester City Women

Saturday 28 March, Old Trafford

Donation points at bag drop locations across Old Trafford

HL

i lOve the fA n cultuRe iN thiS coUntry ”

THE FIRST OF OUR THREE JANUARY SIGNINGS, HANNA LUNDKVIST CAN ADD MANCHESTER TO A CAREER PATH THAT’S ALREADY TAKEN HER FROM STOCKHOLM TO MADRID TO SAN DIEGO -- AND HOW OUR NEW NO.5 IS ENJOYING MAKING NEW FRIENDS AT UNITED...

Interview Matthew Holt

Hanna, this is our first time speaking properly since your move here. How has it all been so far? It’s been very, very good. I love being here and it’s been so much fun so far. The team is very welcoming and the girls have been so easy to get along with. I’ve had a really positive experience of the coaching team as well – they put hard demands on us as players and as they should, I feel! So it’s a good balance in the environment of pushing each other and taking care of each other. I love things so far.

Good to hear. What things do you enjoy about the city from what you’ve seen so far? I haven’t seen too much yet but I have a list of stuff

FACTFILE

FULL NAME

Hanna Ester Lundkvist

DATE OF BIRTH 17 July 2002

PLACE OF BIRTH

Djuro, Sweden

POSITION Right-back

YOUTH CAREER Djuro-Vindo IF

SENIOR CAREER

2018 AIK

2 apps, 0 goals

2019-21 Hammarby

80 apps, 5 goals

2021-24 Atletico Madrid

41 apps, 1 goals

2024-25 San Diego Wave

56 apps, 3 goals

2025- Manchester United

10 apps, 1 goal (up to 18.03.26)

INTERNATIONAL CAREER

2022- Sweden

31 caps, 0 goals

to do... coffee shops and restaurants and all of that! I just got my apartment and it’s very central, so I love just walking around there, having a wander. But there’s so much around Manchester, including the nature and all of that, so hopefully I will explore that when I have time.

We want to get to know you a little better, so what can you tell us about growing up in Djuro [an island in the Stockholm archipelago]. Did you always want to be a footballer?

Yeah, for sure. That’s always been my dream, since I started playing. I grew up in a pretty small place. It was an island outside of Stockholm. A lot of what to do was sports, for sure. It’s been the main thing in my life, back then and now, so being a footballer has always been my biggest dream.

And your family, are they all into football too? Who do they support and who did you watch when you were younger?

My family is into football, not crazy fans, but yeah, they follow me, of course, and they like to watch. My mum was my first coach, so she likes to brag about that! They don’t really have a team in England and it’s been a bit of a family feud because my mum’s side supports one team in Stockholm, and my dad supports the other [laughs]! But yeah, in England, they are of course Manchester United fans now. In Sweden, I love Hammarby, the club I used to play for. But I’ve always looked up to United as a really good club. I’m glad to be here.

You started your career at Djuro-Vindo – can you tell us a bit more about what Djuro is like?

It’s a great place, like the islands inside of Stockholm. It’s really pretty, so I’m happy I got to grow up there and I go back a lot now as well. I played with boys when I was living there, as there wasn’t a lot of girls’

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION PARTNER OF MANCHESTER UNITED

teams, but that was super fun. I had some really good friends in the team and of course that’s something that developed me early on. It was peaceful, a peaceful little town to grow up in, with a lot of sports and a lot of focus on football.

Have you always been a defensively-minded player, or did that change at one point earlier in your career?

So when I was younger, I played higher up, as a winger. I remember the coach I had in Hammarby. He told me to play full-back, he felt that I had the most potential there, and of course, I got a bit upset with it because I thought it was boring to play as a defender! But now I love it and I’m happy that he made me take that step, because I feel like I excel as a full-back. I love defending as much as I love attacking. So I’m really pleased with that.

After joining Atletico Madrid from Hammarby, you then most recently played in the US. What differences have you noticed between football here in Europe, compared to the NWSL?

I think here for sure, it’s a bit more technical football – you have a few more skilful players, you could say. It is a bit more possession-based in America – it’s a lot more about transitions and a lot of fast players; having to defend the fast and powerful attackers all the time. Both here and there is fast football, but in

the Hammarbycoach toldmetoplayfull-back --Igotupsetbecause Ithoughtitwasboring toplayasadefender! ButnowIloveit

America it’s a bit more a bit more counterattackbased. But it’s a good level, both there and here.

The physicality, is that something you have noticed at all since playing in the English game?

The WSL is for sure a really physical league as well. I’m happy I got to be exposed to that in America before coming here, because I feel like it helped me a lot. The intensity and the physicality is, for sure, on a high level, both here and there.

We’ve also already seen you open your account at Villa Park in January. Talk us through the goal... As a full-back, you know, you always come for those

overlapping runs, but it’s not that always you are going to get the ball. But I saw that Jess [Park] looked over her shoulder and she could see my run and I was really happy she played it to me. I had lots of time and space on that overlapping run, so I just shot it at goal and it was a great feeling. It was just in front of the away fans as well. I was so happy!

What have you made of United’s fans, and the general fan culture in the English game?

I’m super impressed and I love the fan culture. I just talked to some of the people from the [United] fans group and they were super nice. I love how people are so dedicated to this club; they really live for the club. That’s something so cool and it means a lot to me as a player to have that. The first impression has been so good and I can’t wait to see them more.

You’ll know Frido and Julia from the national team (as well as Ellen, who was signed just after you), so who did you speak to before joining? And what did they say?

They said it’s so easy to come into a group and have people that you know already. That makes everything easier and so of course, I was happy about that and I talked to all of them before coming. They had a really good view of the club

Ilovehowpeoplereally liveforthisclub.That’s somethingsocoolandit meansalottomeas aplayertohavethat

and of the group, especially the team. So I was expecting that, like a welcoming team and that exceeded my expectations even. They told me about the competitiveness of the team as well and that it would be a good choice for me.

We’re collecting quite a group of Swedes here at United – that must have helped with settling in?

In the beginning, for sure! It’s a bit of a comfort to have them. But I’m starting to make a lot of good friends outside of my Sweden group this way, so I’m excited about that too.

GETTING A SEAT ON THE TRAIN HOME

ABSOLUTE LIMBS IN THE STANDS FOR A 90th MINUTE EQUALISER

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GIVE TO GAIN!

How IWD 2026 has been helping young participants develop their skills

Throughout March, Manchester United Foundation has been empowering participants with a host of engaging activities to mark International Women’s Day.

Framing the events around the IWD 2026 theme of ‘Give To Gain’, male and female participants began the month enjoying a networking event at Old Trafford, where female leaders from across many industries ran sessions and gave insights into their area of work. Representatives from the world of finance, sport, broadcasting and the NHS were present, with the Foundation’s Presenting Partner DXC Technology also giving the youngsters the opportunity to learn about the science behind programming robots.

A few days later and two of our U21 players, Olivia Turner and Millie Crook, visited Irlam & Cadishead Academy to take part in a female football tournament with local primary schools.

What the participants didn’t know is that Olivia and Millie were also there to give away tickets to the Manchester women’s derby at Old Trafford, with every player and a family member invited along.

“The girls were so excited about the tickets!” said Millie. “This is the second year we’ve been to this

school around International Women’s Day and as local girls it’s special to be able to give something back to your community.”

If that wasn’t enough, members of our Girls Academy enjoyed a special visit from former cricketer turned broadcaster Phoebe Graham, who led a collaborative session between young players from Lancashire County Cricket Club and our own Emerging Talent Centre at Eccles College.

“International Women’s Day is all about creating opportunity,” Phoebe said. “We’ve got over 100 extremely talented girls here, some whose chosen sport is football and some who play cricket, so to have the chance to switch for the evening and enjoy a number of fun activities, taking them out of their comfort zone and developing new skills, is fantastic.”

For more, visit mufoundation.org

Stands IN THE WHO’S HERE

↓ Hi to Veronique and Ellen – they’re French so are big fans of

● Happy 35th birthday to Izzy, whose favourite player is Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Lots of love, from Lucy.

● A warm welcome to Atherton Collieries U10 Vixen Girls – Madeleine, Lydia and Poppy. Enjoy the game!

← ‘Me at my (nearly) 40th game of the season already!’ says Ellie

↓ Orla, meanwhile, was 13 on 18 March!

● ‘To my wonderful daughter Jamie Morgan, you are amazing and I love you – Dad. PS. United forever!’

● Happy birthday to Eno, who is 53 today.

● Happy birthday Aidy Ollerton. Have a great day!

Racking up

WE’VE GOT A REMARKABLE RECORD AGAINST EVERTON, WHICH HOPEFULLY WE CAN BUILD ON

Our first meeting with Villa remains our all-time biggest win – a 12-0 away victory in the Reds’ maiden league fixture back in 2018. The two most-recent home games against them aside –frustrating 0-0 and 0-1 scorelines here in Leigh – we’ve maintained a strong record: W11 D3 L1.

%

The Reds’ first meeting with the Seagulls was a memorable one – our first-ever FA Cup tie, in which a Lauren James double saw us to victory against higher-division opposition. As with three other teams on these pages we’ve had one defeat along the way, but an overall record of W13 D3 L1 is excellent.

3. LEICESTERCITY

%

%

Our initial fixtures against the Foxes saw us rack up some serious goals – so much so, we’ve found the net against them more than any other side (56). Much like Villa, they’ve improved greatly since the turn of the decade, but our overall record remains seriously dominant: W13 D2 L1.

the WinS

TODAY. HERE ARE THE TOP FIVE TEAMS AGAINST WHOM WE’VE STACKED SOME SERIOUS ‘W’s

The north Londoners are the only opposition on these pages we’ve never lost to (W14 D3 L0), plus they’re the only side we’ve faced in the league across every season since the Reds were reformed. Throw in our momentous 2024 FA Cup final win and the numbers make for formidable reading.

82.35%

Today will see a 21st clash between the Reds and Toffees – moving them above Man City as the team we’ve faced the most – and what a run it’s been (W17 D2 L1). Their 0-0 draw here in Leigh in February 2023 proved more costly to us than a 0-1 League Cup loss in ’20/21 – here’s hoping for an 18th Reds win today...

AWAITING A WIN

AT THE OTHER END OF THE SCALE -- THE ONLY SIDES WE’VE PLAYED BUT YET TO BEAT...

Here’s a nice bit of trivia – of every English team we’ve ever faced, there’s not one we’ve failed to beat (yep, even Chelsea, despite our rather low win percentage!). Including European ties we’ve taken on

37 opponents, and only two are without a Reds win on our all-time stats spreadsheet. The pair in question? Lyon and Wolfsburg. Should we get a crack at one of them again this season, it’ll be the UWCL final!

2. ANNA SANDBERG

The 22-year-old full-back – capped 10 times by Sweden – was injured in the first leg of our UWCL tie against Atletico last month and is likely to miss our next run of fixtures.

SQUAD SN APSHOTs

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THOSE IN RED...

3. GABBY GEORGE 4. MAYA LE TISSIER

Gabby welcomes a familiar side to Leigh today, having made over 125 appearances for the Toffees before she signed for United in the summer of 2023.

7. ELLA TOONE

Ella is close to a return following a hip injury. The last time she was injured, she came back in fine form, being named WSL Player of the Month for January 2025.

ELISABETH TERLAND

Our current top scorer for ’25/26, with 14 goals in all competitions. Teri came close to adding to her tally in the League Cup final, only to be denied by the woodwork.

Our captain is an ever-present in Skinner’s XI, and has moved into fifth in our all-time appearance record with 128 outings, behind former skipper Katie Zelem (161).

The 23-year-old Swedish defender has already made 10 appearances since her New Year’s Day arrival, and would be facing Everton for the first time today, if selected.

8. JESS PARK 9. MELVINE MALARD

The fleet-footed no.8 has quite the highlights reel from her first term with the Reds – including her quickfire late double when we last met the Toffees on Merseyside.

Malard got another of those four goals against today’s opponents last time out at Hill Dickinson Stadium, a determined rebound to kickstart our 4-1 comeback.

LEAH GALTON 12. FRIDOLINA ROLFO

A back issue has kept Leah out in recent weeks, but she travelled to Ashton Gate last Sunday to cheer on her fellow Reds, and hopes to be back in action soon.

The Swede made her return from injury against Chelsea in Bristol. She’d been in fine form in the weeks prior to her knock, with her lethal left foot making her a real threat.

Also currently on the Reds’ roster for the 2025/26 season: 1. KAYLA RENDELL (GK);

Simi netted her first Reds goal in January against Burnley in the FA Cup, and added a second late on in the next round against Chelsea to send us to extra-time last month.

JAYDE RIVIERE

Our right-back came off in pain against London City, our most recent WSL home outing, but battled back and made her return for the League Cup final.

CELIN BIZET DONNUM

The Norwegian, who joined United from Spurs in 2024, is expecting a baby, meaning she’ll be watching from the sidelines for the months ahead.

LISA NAALSUND 17. DOMINIQUE JANSSEN

The Norwegian scored two of our three goals against Liverpool last month, and she’s now on 68 appearances (with eight goals) since her 2023 arrival from Brann.

ELLEN WANGERHEIM

Last Sunday’s final was a sixth Reds start for the 21-year-old forward, who previously played for Hammarby. She won her first Sweden cap just under a year ago.

Dom partnered Le Tissier in the heart of defence when we last took on Everton, and our no.17 helped to limit the Toffees to few chances in a commanding away victory.

MIYAZAWA

Hini expertly teed up Malard to score in our last meeting with Everton, but is set to miss this one, due to her participation in the Asian Cup with Japan in Australia.

18. JULIA ZIGIOTTI

She wasn’t signed for her goals, but nobody’s been complaining about Zigiotti’s recent scoring streak. Julia’s first only came in January, but now she’s up to five.

TURNER

Millie scored in our last WSL home game, against London City, in what was her first WSL start since September following an injury. It was Turner’s 12th goal for United.

PHALLON TULLISJOYCE 13. SIMI AWUJO

The German international – with a superb record of 55 goals from 84 caps – joined the Reds in late December, and is now up to 10 appearances in all competitions.

The young Welsh international goalkeeper – capped eight times for her country – made her WSL and UWCL debuts this season, after her first-team bow in ’24/25.

A commanding presence between the sticks, the 29-year-old is fresh from SheBelieves Cup victory with the USA and ready to add to her 15 shut-outs for the Reds this season.

EVERTON

United have faced no team more often than Everton since the Reds were reformed in 2018, with today’s game being a record 21st meeting – a tally soon to be equalled by Manchester City. The Toffees have been through considerable changes this season, following a takeover of the overall club that was completed at the end of 2024. A spate of arrivals last summer was followed by a further three loan signings in January, including Hannah Blundell, who is ineligible today against her parent club. Everton have been missing Japan trio Honoka Hayashi, Rion Ishikawa and Hikaru Kitagawa, as well as Australia’s Clare Wheeler, in recent weeks due to their Asian Cup involvement. Helpfully for interim head coach Scott Phelan (right), however, injury issues hampering the squad in the early months of the season have eased, to coincide with better recent results.

RECENT FORM

Four straight WSL victories have propelled Everton into the top half – a stark contrast to a pair of wins in their first 13 outings. Still, those isolated earlier triumphs had been significant: a 4-1 win at Anfield in September, and Sonia Bompastor’s first WSL defeat as Chelsea boss. The opening win of the current run came against Aston Villa – a first home league win of the season, but too late for Brian Sorensen. The Dane was let go three days later as the club reasoned a ‘change of direction is necessary’. Successive 1-0 victories over London City Lionesses and West Ham followed, before new boss Phelan’s side beat Spurs 2-1 with a late Kelly Gago goal.

WHO TO LOOK OUT FOR...

Formed: 1983 (as Hoylake WFC)

Nickname: The Toffees

Major honours: FA Cup winners 1988/89, 2009/10

Last season: WSL 8th place, FA Cup fifth round, League Cup group stage, top scorer (all comps): Kelly Gago (5)

Record v United: P20 W1 D2 L17 F10 A54

Three weeks before turning 21 and on her debut in September following a summer move from Granada, Ornella Vignola became the first Toffees player (female or male), to score a hat-trick against Liverpool in 94 years. After leading the line and proudly clutching the match ball under her arm afterwards, she called the experience a “dream come true.” She’s often played in midfield since, but Vignola’s tally of five goals is still Everton’s joint best in all competitions this season. Her and compatriot Martina Fernandez (left) are Everton’s two most used WSL players in ’25/26. Ex-Barcelona defender Fernandez made last season’s loan permanent during the summer and has started every league match, mainly as a centre-back. But the enforced absence of Blundell could see her move to right-back today.

RECENT LINE-UP

the leaders

Once an Everton Under-18 captain in the infancy of his own playing career, Scott Phelan had become manager of that team by the time he was named Sorensen’s interim successor just over six weeks ago. Although this is the 38-year-old’s first position in women’s football, he has coached for more than a decade at the club and is so far keeping a promise to make the Toffees a “winning team again”. On the playing side, club captain Megan Finnigan is closing in on two decades at Everton, having joined at the age of nine. However, the 27-year-old’s leadership has moved behind the scenes since an ACL injury in January 2025 has cruelly sidelined her for more than a year. As such, goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan has been a regular with the armband over the past year.

JESS’S TIME AS A TOFFEE

Still only 24 years old, Jess Park’s future in the game is something we’re all excited to watch unfold. But when the Brough-born midfielder eventually calls time on her career, she’ll look back on 2022/23 as being a significant season in terms of her development – a campaign she spent with today’s opponents Everton.

While Jess had already made 54 appearances for parent club Manchester City, dating back to a 2017 debut, her loan spell on Merseyside presented her with the opportunity to be a regular starter for Brian Sorensen’s side, while also bringing plenty of joy to her Toffees-supporting dad, Ian! “I couldn’t have done everything without him – he took me everywhere,” Jess would tell The Telegraph when recalling her childhood years as a footballer. “He’s a massive Everton fan so he’s going to be so proud.”

A goal and an assist in Everton’s 3-0 win at Anfield in just her second appearance – “an absolutely incredible night,” said Jess – would set the tone for a strong loan spell, with Jess’s new role as a winger seeing her hone her ability to carry the ball forward with pace while giving opponents twisted blood.

Park’s early-season form soon caught the eye of Sarina Wiegman, with an England debut handed to Jess before 2022 was even out – the Everton loanee scoring just over a minute into her debut in the Lionesses’ 4-0 win against Japan.

Weeks later, Park would net her first goal here in Leigh, in Everton’s 4-2 loss to United in the League Cup – Jess’s third of five goals that term, from 22 appearances. Sadly, her time at Everton was cut a few weeks short due to a shoulder injury but she’d already played her part in helping the Toffees to a sixth-place finish. As boss Sorensen observed: “She’s been great for us and it shows in the minutes we’re giving her. There are still things she needs to improve but, as a whole, she looks much more confident than when she first came in. She’s really taking steps in the right direction.”

Three campaigns on, those steps continue to get bigger, with United’s no.8 now really hitting her stride with the third senior team of her career.

BEST EVER(TON) WINS

WE’VE GOT MORE VICTORIES AGAINST THE TOFFEES THAN AGAINST ANY OTHER CLUB – AND THESE ARE THE

CAPTION CONTEST

WOMEN’S

SUPER LEAGUE

pREVIeW

IT’S TIME TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE OTHER GAMES TAKING PLACE THIS WEEKEND...

After today, United will be one of a few teams with just four games left to play in the 2025/26 Women’s Super League campaign. Considering the state of play towards the top (turn the page to see the up-to-date table should you need any reminding), fans of Manchester City, United, Chelsea and Arsenal will be keeping an even closer eye on their rivals’ results as that finish line gets ever closer.

We include City within this because their recent draw away to Aston Villa has at least given the others a glimmer of hope in the title race –especially when you have a ‘six-pointer’ against them still to play, as the Reds do next weekend.

Andree Jeglertz’s Manchester City still remain firm favourites to win the big prize, of course – it would be the Blues’ first title since their only previous success in 2016 – but some more dropped points at home to Tottenham today (12pm) could leave the standings looking a little tighter towards the top, if those below them can win their own games, of course.

Just as a reminder, only the top three will qualify for next season’s Champions League via the WSL – four English teams can reach the UWCL, but only if United, Chelsea or Arsenal win this season’s UWCL while finishing fourth in the WSL.

As for Tottenham in fifth place, they’re not completely out of the picture themselves for a UWCL finish. The Londoners won their previous away game by a remarkable 7-3 scoreline at Aston Villa, although their previous meeting with today’s opponents City did finish 5-1 in the Blues’ favour.

Elsewhere at 12pm today, there are two London derbies: Arsenal v West Ham at the Emirates, while London City Lionesses host Chelsea – but not at their usual home in Bromley, with the Lionesses instead playing at The Den, home of Millwall. Eder Maestre’s side have had a turbulent campaign, with just one win in their last eight – can they get back on track by landing a big scalp against Sonia Bompastor’s Blues?

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Tomorrow’s action is more focused on the lower half of the table, with Brighton taking on Liverpool at Broadfield Stadium at 12pm, before Leicester face cross-Midlands rivals Aston Villa at the King Power (2.45pm). While the Foxes currently occupy bottom spot, don’t forget even the team that finishes in that position could avoid relegation this time around, with the last-place team entering a play-off with the third-placed side in WSL2 to determine a top-flight spot for 2026/27.

UNITED APPEARANCES & GOALS, 2025/26

STATS AT THE BACK

WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE TABLE, 2025/26

1

WSL TOP SCORERS, 2025/26 (ASSISTS IN BRACKETS)

GABBY SET FOR HER FIFTY

Gabby George’s next appearance for the Reds will be her 50th, with the defender set to become the 30th player to achieve that milestone, following soon after Anna Sandberg hit 50 last month. Should Gabby achieve it today, it’ll come against the team she played 152 games for before her move to United in 2023.

ADDED-TIME QUIZ

SNATCH A LATE WIN WITH TOP MARKS IN OUR MUW TEST!

1 Which former Red netted home and away for us against Everton last season?

2 Who was the first United player to score a WSL hat-trick, doing so in March 2023?

3

Millie Turner’s goal in our last WSL home outing was her first in the league since a memorable stoppage-time winner against which side in April 2023?

4 Before they became known as ‘Everton Women’ in 1995, today’s opposition won the 1989 Women’s FA Cup final at Old Trafford. What was that team called? Leasowe P_ _ _ _ _ _?

5

How many goals do the ‘OG’ trio of Turner, Ella Toone and Leah Galton have for the Reds between them: 100, 110 or 120?

6

Who was the first winner of United’s Player of the Year award, in 2018/19?

7 Maya Le Tissier is now fifth on our all-time list for most appearances, but which position was she in prior to the start of the current season?

8

What is the fewest number of defeats United have suffered in a single season (in all competitions)?

9

Which current Red was named the Toffees’ Player of the Season in 2021/22?

10

In which other place beginning with ‘E’ was Everton loanee Hannah Blundell born: Eastbourne or Exeter?

UNITED

I

WANNA BE ADORED

MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN

EVERTON

Head coach Marc Skinner Interim head coach Scott Phelan

Kayla Rendell (GK)

Anna Sandberg

Gabby George

Maya Le Tissier

Hanna Lundkvist

Ella Toone

Jess Park

Melvine Malard

Elisabeth Terland

Leah Galton

Fridolina Rolfo

Simi Awujo

Jayde Riviere

Celin Bizet Donnum

Lisa Naalsund

Dominique Janssen

Julia Zigiotti

Ellen Wangerheim

Hinata Miyazawa

Millie Turner

Lea Schuller

Safia Middleton-Patel (GK)

Tamira Livingston

Jessica Anderson

Layla Drury

Phallon Tullis-Joyce (GK)

Brosnan (GK)

Hannah Blundell

Rion Ishikawa

Issy Hobson

Martina Fernandez

Honoka Hayashi

Clare Wheeler

Rosa van Gool

Toni Payne

Inma Gabarro

Kelly Gago

Emily Ramsey (GK)

Hikaru Kitagawa

Melissa Lawley

Laila Harbert

Lucy Hope

Ornella Vignola

Megan Finnigan

Zara Kramzar

Aurora Galli

Katja Snoeijs

Elise Stenevik

Karen Holmgaard

Yuka Momiki

Ruby Mace

Settle

Maz Pacheco

Ellie Jones

Referee Melissa Burgin Assistants Emily Carney, Ceri Williams Fourth official Abby Dearden