Manchester United Women v Liverpool Women match programme, WSL, 01.02.26

INSide

2025/26

YOUR MATCH PROGRAMME

HEAD COACH’S COLUMN

WE’RE IN THE LEAGUE CUP FINAL!

TALK OF THE TERRACE

CAPTAIN’S COLUMN

YOUNGEST PLAYERS INFOGRAPHIC

ZIGIOTTI EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

FAN MESSAGES

FAREWELL, RACHEL WILLIAMS!

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, Sean Mullan, Jamie Spencer, Matt Brown, Isaac Stacey Stronge

Design Tom Chase Photography Poppy Townson, Ash Donelon, Zohaib Alam, Getty, Alamy Thanks to Ellie Decrop, Paul Davies, John Shiel, Mark Froggatt

SKINNER Marc

WE’VE HAD A NEAR FLAWLESS START TO 2026, AND AS OUR WSL CAMPAIGN CONTINUES INTO FEBRUARY, IT’S IMPORTANT THAT WE KICK ON EVER FURTHER...

Welcome back to the Progress With Unity Stadium on a poignant day here in Leigh.

Every year at this time we remember those who tragically lost their lives in the Munich Air Disaster and today we will all come together to celebrate them as a family.

We’ve had a good start to the year on the pitch – we’re undefeated in 2026 and we’ve booked our place in the League Cup final for the first time. The weather was horrible all night at Meadow Park and I want to thank the fans who travelled south for your support. Whether home or away, it’s always appreciated and you always help by giving us the extra energy we need in games.

Today, we welcome a Liverpool side who will be on a high after getting their first win of

the WSL season last week. Facing Liverpool is always an important fixture in the calendar and not one we take lightly. We do not want to miss a beat now in any game and I want to see the hunger in all our players. I want us to start today’s game how we finished last weekend’s one against Aston Villa – playing with passion and commitment to each other. We have some very special guests in the crowd today. Jon Humble will always be a huge part of our Manchester United team. He is greatly missed and there is not a day that goes by where we do not think of him. He continues to live on within all of us and I welcome Claire and their three children to the game.

picture THE BIG

BRING ON THE FINAL!

Eleven days on from our hard-fought WSL draw away to Arsenal to begin 2026, United were back in black against the Gunners in the League Cup – and this time there was real reason to celebrate as we reached the League Cup final for the first time in our history. Renee Slegers’ side might have bossed the stats in terms of possession and shots, but what composure the Reds showed at Meadow Park, as we dug deep to claim a third clean sheet of the season against the European champions (pictured left), while delivering a blow to the hosts right on half-time. It was Elisabeth Terland who made the breakthrough, our leading 2025/26 scorer finding the net after Gunners’ goalkeeper Anneke Borbe miscued a pass to Ellen Wangerheim, who was alert to tee up her fellow Scandinavian for her 11th goal of the season. In wet and windy conditions in Borehamwood – pity those poor camera operators! – we nearly added a second as the game became stretched late on, with Melvine Malard and Jess Park going close, but 1-0 would prove enough on a famous night. The prize?

A final against Chelsea on Sunday 15 March, at the 26,000-capacity Ashton Gate in Bristol. We hope to see you there!

Terrace TAlk ofthe

ALL THE CHAT AHEAD OF TODAY’S NORTH-WEST CLASH...

Welcome back to Leigh! It provides a snapshot of how hectic our campaign has been that we’ve played in three different competitions across our last three games... It’s also representative of our new-year form that each of those three matches has ended in victory for the Reds. That’s a run we’ll be hoping to uphold in today’s meeting with Liverpool, our first WSL fixture of 2026 at the Progress With Unity Stadium. Our last outing here, in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup against Burnley, saw us bank a 5-0 win with five

different scorers, including a first United goal for winter signing Lea Schuller, and a debut strike for young forward Layla Drury, who at 16 became our youngest-ever senior player (turn to p14 for more on that). The win set up a tricky fifth-round tie against Chelsea, in a re-run of last year’s final which the Blues won. Chelsea will also be our opposition in March’s Subway Women’s League Cup final, after we edged past Arsenal in the semis via an Elisabeth Terland goal. What an occasion it was in Borehamwood 11 nights ago...

It certainly was! Attention today is firmly on the WSL, however, just as it was at Villa a week ago – another enjoyable away day... It took a little while for the meeting in the West Midlands to heat up, but it sparked into life spectacularly just past the half-hour mark, with Julia Zigiotti – incredibly –netting the opener direct from a corner kick. Good news for us ahead of our big interview (see p16). Things didn’t look so rosy when ex-Red Kirsty Hanson notched one back almost immediately, and the scores remained level deep into the second half. With the attacking talent in this side, though, Marc Skinner rotated his pack, and after a first-time finish from substitute Terland in the 72nd minute, the floodgates opened: a slaloming run and finish from Jess Park made it three, and a first Reds strike for January

recruit (and fellow sub) Hanna Lundkvist rounded off the goals. The 4-1 win was not quite enough to take us into the Champions League spots, due to Arsenal bagging three points at Chelsea, but we’re now in striking distance of both.

The chase for a UWCL spot continues against Liverpool. What can we expect from the visitors? They arrive bottom of the WSL, but there are signs of improvement...

There’s no escaping the fact it’s been a rough season for the Merseysiders, with just one win in their 13 outings so far this season, and four draws making up the rest of their seven-point total. Three of those five results have come as part of the three-game unbeaten WSL run they’re currently on, however – the most recent being their late win against Spurs, meaning they arrive in their best form of ’25/26. We emerged victorious from our last meeting with today’s

opponents in September, thanks to goals from Hinata Miyazawa and Ella Toone, the latter of whom we’ll be without as she continues to recover from a hip injury, which is likely to keep her sidelined until March. While we eagerly anticipate the return of our no.7, the fact we’ve scored 10 goals and conceded just one in our last three outings will provide plenty of optimism that we can complete the double over Liverpool today.

What other games in the WSL we should be keeping an eye on this afternoon?

You can read about them all on p43, but the game of the day elsewhere is at the Etihad, where Manchester City will be out to increase their nine-point lead over opponents, and second-placed, Chelsea. If Chelsea are to have any hopes of clipping the wings of Andree Jeglertz’s side, they’ll surely need a win today. Plenty of Reds will also be taking regular glances at the fate of Tottenham, who travel across London to face West Ham, with the visitors just two points behind us in the league. The battle is well on truly on for Champions League entry, which has already provided so many recent memories in our maiden voyage into the competition’s league phase. A win here, and results going our way elsewhere, could see us claim a top-three spot come 2pm today – one we won’t be keen on handing back should we take it! ●

A service will take place at Old Trafford this coming Friday

MUNICH TRIBUTES

How the 68th anniversary will be marked

Commemorations will be made at today’s match to honour those lost in the Munich Air Disaster, with this being United Women’s closest home game to the 68th anniversary of the club’s darkest day, on 6 February 1958.

The tragedy in 1958 saw 23 people, including eight players and three members of club staff, lose their lives when their aeroplane crashed at Munich-Riem Airport.

Both teams will lay a wreath ahead of kick-off and the players will wear black armbands, while a large memorial flags will adorn the North Stand as a mark of respect. The Flowers of Manchester will also play as we all take a moment to honour those lost, or who never played again.

This coming Friday on the anniversary, the club will host a remembrance service at Old Trafford from 2.45pm until 3.15pm. Supporters are requested to gather under

the Munich clock (East Stand) by 2.40pm for the service to start promptly at 2.45pm. Reverend John Boyers will lead the service, followed by a roll of honour, readings and poems from journalist and supporter, Andy Mitten, Manchester United Foundation participants, representatives from our U13 girls’ and boys’ Academy teams and United legend, Sammy McIlroy. Senior club officials will also lay wreaths under the Munich clock.

After the service, supporters are welcome to head to the International Suite (Stretford End) to meet with friends and family, view memorabilia from 1958 and the Busby Babes (courtesy of the Manchester United Museum) and share stories over tea, coffee and refreshments.

Those lost in the disaster remain forever in our hearts and eternally embedded in our club identity.

Emma Watson and Lucy Newell have both secured loan moves for the second half of the season, as the two teenagers look to continue their development. Midfielder Watson has joined Mexican side Tigres in a temporary switch, subject to registration at the time of print. Emma was recalled from her spell at Crystal Palace earlier this month, having played six times for the Eagles in WSL2, and will now gain experience in Liga MX Femenil – Mexico’s top division. While Watson moves on from Crystal Palace, Lucy Newell has agreed to join the Eagles on loan. It is the 19-year-old defender’s second loan move of ’25/26, as she spent the first part of the season with Birmingham City. Newell made four appearances for Blues, who are currently second place in WSL2, behind Charlton Athletic. We wish Emma and Lucy well for the rest of the campaign.

TWO REDS IN LOAN MOVES TICKETS FOR LEAGUE CUP

We have received an allocation of 3,684 tickets for the Subway League Cup final, to be played at Ashton Gate on Sunday 15 March. Applications were open to MUW season ticket holders, until 29 January – with that deadline having now passed, if you’re reading this and haven’t secured your ticket, please scan here for the latest availability. You can also visit wslfootball. com/final to find our more about booking tickets direct from the venue.

Maya THE CAPTAIN

MAYA SINGS THE PRAISES OF OUR NEW ARRIVALS, WHO HAVE BROUGHT AN EXTRA DIMENSION TO THE SQUAD AT AN EXCITING TIME OF THE CAMPAIGN...

The year has started really well for us. We’re unbeaten so far in 2026 but there are definitely parts we can improve on.

As a group we are always looking at what we can improve on, as well as what has gone well on the pitch.

We have been getting the results and we are into another final now, which is massive for the club. We are also progressing up the league, which is also important. It has been nice to not have as many games this month so we’ve had time on the training pitch to build relationships and smooth out things we want to get better at.

I’d like to take this opportunity to officially welcome our new players –they have been amazing and have fitted into the squad really well. It already feels like they’ve been here forever!

They have brought a lot to the squad already, both in training and in games. Hanna is so brilliant on the ball and I love playing alongside her. We can already tell that Lea brings experience that is going to be so important for us and she’s been great to have around off the pitch as well. Finally, Ellen is fast and aggressive, and has again strengthened the squad.

All three of them have brought more competition into the squad, which is key as we continue to progress in four competitions. It’s important we have squad depth but also that everyone’s on the same page.

I’ll end by saying we’ve really heard you fans on the road in recent games and now we’re back on home soil we want you to help us to secure another important victory today. Enjoy the game.

ONE FOR THE AGES!

DID YOU KNOW, OUR LAST HOME OUTING SAW LAYLA DRURY BECOME THE REDS’ YOUNGEST EVER PLAYER -- AND SCORER?

YOUNGEST DEBUTANTS YOUNGEST SCORERS

LAYLA DRURY (16 y 220 d )

1 1

v BURNLEY, 18.01.26

2

LAUREN JAMES (16y 324d)

v LIVERPOOL, 19.08.18

3 FRAN BENTLEY (17y 152d)

v MILLWALL, 25.11.18

4 CARRIE JONES (17y 184d)

v ASTON VILLA, 07.03.21

LAYLA DRURY (16 y 220 d )

v BURNLEY, 18.01.26

2 LAUREN JAMES (16y 345d)

v ASTON VILLA, 09.09.18

3 MARED GRIFFITHS (17y 342d)

v WOLVES, 08.02.25

4 AIMEE PALMER (18y 290d)

v LEWES, 11.05.19

5 KEIRA BARRY (17y 188d)

v SHEFFIELD UNITED, 18.12.22

6 NAOMI HARTLEY (17y 254d)

v LONDON BEES, 23.09.18

7 TARA BOURNE (17y 275d)

v BURNLEY, 18.04.21

8 MARED GRIFFITHS (17y 342d)

v WOLVES, 08.02.25

9 REBECCA MAY (18y 13d)

v READING, 02.02.20

10 AIMEE PALMER (18y 31d)

v READING, 25.08.18

AND AT THE OTHER END OF THE SCALE FOR APPEARANCES

5 EMMA WATSON (18y 318d)

6

v NEWCASTLE, 11.12.24

ELLA TOONE (19y 7d)

v ASTON VILLA, 09.09.18

7 KIRSTY HANSON (20y 145d)

v ASTON VILLA, 09.09.18

8 MAYA LE TISSIER (20y 152d)

v READING, 17.09.22

9 IVANA FERREIRA FUSO (20y 216d)

v DURHAM, 14.10.21

10 CHARLIE DEVLIN (20y 254d)

v TOTTENHAM, 04.11.18

1 RACHEL WILLIAMS (37y 334d)

v LYON, 10.12.25

2 SIOBHAN CHAMBERLAIN (35y 248d)

v CRYSTAL PALACE, 20.04.19

3 DIANE CALDWELL (33y 186d)

v WEST HAM, 16.03.22

4 TOBIN HEATH (32y 205d)

v BRISTOL CITY, 20.12.20

5 CHRISTEN PRESS (32y 131d)

v EVERTON, 09.05.21

JZ

”

We hAve fOund a gooD

RhYTHM”

TWO DAYS ON FROM HER MOMENT OF MAGIC FROM THE CORNER FLAG AT VILLA PARK, JULIA ZIGIOTTI

JOINS US FOR A CARRINGTON CHAT TO DISCUSS SET-PIECES, SILKY SWEDES, AND SETTING OUR SIGHTS ON SILVERWARE IN THE MONTHS AHEAD...

Interview Isaac Stacey Stronge

It’s been quite a couple of weeks for you, Julia, with you scoring your first goals for United, both in games we won. Obviously, you’re best known as a deeper midfielder, but do you think there’s more to come from you in an attacking sense? Yeah, of course. I’ve been playing more as a defensive midfielder before, so it’s a bit different, being a bit more offensive, but I enjoy it, and we try to work on it to find the good spaces for me to come in – but still also be that one controlling the play, as well, with Hini [Miyazawa]. So I think it’s been a good mix, and of course, I want to score more goals.

FACTFILE

FULL NAME

Julia Margareta Zigiotti Olme

DATE OF BIRTH 24 December 1997

PLACE OF BIRTH

Upplands Vasby, Sweden

POSITION Midfielder

SENIOR CAREER

2012-14 Bollstanas SK, 46 apps, 17 goals

2015 AIK 22 apps, 5 goals

2016-18 Hammarby

63 apps, 23 goals

2018-21 BK Hacken

91 apps, 22 goals

2022-24 Brighton & Hove Albion

65 apps, 6 goals

2024-25 Bayern Munich

25 apps, 1 goal

2025- Manchester United

26 apps, 2 goals

INTERNATIONAL CAREER

2018- Sweden, 52 caps, 2 goals

Your first goal came against Burnley in the fourth round of the FA Cup. How did that feel to see the ball find the net?

Yeah, finally! I feel like I’ve had it coming. I had some chances in other games that I should have scored before. So, it’s just nice to score my first goal, and then, yeah, another one at the weekend now [against Aston Villa]. That was nice too.

In that Burnley game, Lea Schuller got her first goal as well, in what was her first start. You previously played with Lea at Bayern Munich –did you expect her to have such a quick impact?

Yes, she’s an amazing player, who is so good in front of goal. Headers, shots... and she’s so good at reading the game as well. I think she will have a lot of impact on us as a team.

We’ve got to talk about your goal at Aston Villa, direct from the corner flag! Could you just talk us through that moment?

To be honest, I was just trying to take a corner! It happened to go in, and of course it was nice to see. But yeah, I’m also new to taking corners, I’ve never done corners before in my life. I’ve been trying to get a set-piece goal and it happened to come this way!

Is that something you’ve been working on at the training ground, whipping in the corners like that?

Yes, of course. We always look to work on set-pieces. We want to score more goals from set-pieces. It’s one thing we always work on.

You’ve scored almost 80 goals in your senior career. Where would you say that goal ranks among them?

Oh, it was quite good! When I was younger, I was more offensive, a forward. So, I had some nice

goals then as well, but now in the later days of my career, this was one of my nicest goals.

United are still fighting in four competitions as we enter February, meaning we have quite a hectic schedule. How are you finding managing that?

I think it’s good. We have found a good rhythm to it and we want to compete in everything. We want to compete for titles, of course, so it’s good that we’re still in all four competitions. We just want to go forward in every one now.

We’ve got quite a Swedish contingent at United right now, and you’ve been playing a lot of games with Anna Sandberg and Fridolina Rolfo, in particular. Do you think that national-team link helps you on the pitch here at United?

Yeah, of course, like, we’ve known each other for a long time, and, for example, I know how Frido wants the ball. I know how Anna plays too. So, of course, it’s easy playing with them in the same team, and it’s nice to have them on the pitch as well.

And then we’ve got Hanna Lundkvist and Ellen Wangerheim, of course, who have both come in this January. What do you think we can expect from them in the months ahead?

I think you’ve already seen in the first couple of games that they’re brilliant football players, and I think they will have a lot of impact on the team. Ellen is such a

fortitles,soit’sgood we’restillinallfour competitions.Wejust wanttogoforward ineveryonenow

diverse player from what we had – she likes going in behind [making runs behind the opposition’s defensive line] and she’s strong in that. I like playing with her, she’s so good on the ball and calm. I think both her and Hanna will have a really good impact, and it’s also nice to be with another two Swedes!

We’re looking ahead to the Liverpool game here. You played the full 90 minutes when we beat them earlier in the season. What do you think we can expect from them this time around? They’ve had a tough season this year and just had their first win. So, I think they will be fired up – they need to win, they need to get points. So, it’ll be important for us to just play our game, to be calm

on the ball, and try to dominate the game as we did over there [at Liverpool in September’s 2-0 win].

United and Liverpool are two teams who are massive in Scandinavia. What do you know about the rivalry between the two clubs?

Not too much, to be honest, but, of course, it’s two big teams and there’s always going to be rivalry, seeing as Liverpool is not too far from here. It’s always a fun game to play when you’re up against another big team.

It’s quite congested in WSL table at the minute with Spurs just behind us, and Arsenal just ahead, plus Chelsea as well. How confident are you about us getting a Champions League spot this season? I’m confident in this team. That’s what we’re aiming for. Of course, we want to win the league, and it’s not impossible, but it’s quite far off. But at least Champions League [through a top-three finish], we want to compete for that. We want to be in all the competitions next year, so it’s very important now that we reach the Champions League again.

It’s been six months this week since you joined United. What would you say has been your best moment so far with the club?

Oh, it’s very hard to say, but I’ll say playing PSG. That was such a cool experience, especially for me playing at Old Trafford – it’s such a big part of this club and a huge stadium to play in. It was cool to play there.

myname?Iprefer just ‘Zigiotti’ for football.Ithinkit soundscooler,having thesinglename!

In terms of yourself and the team, what would you say success looks like this season? What are your aims up until the end of the season?

I think getting at least one of the cups, that’s what we want to compete for. And also getting as high in the table as we can. We’re aiming for that top three spot, but we also want to get the top one or top two. I think we have a lot more to come, and if we just continue on the path we are on, then we can do it.

And finally, fans are often curious about your name – whether it should be Julia Zigiotti Olme or just Julia Zigiotti. Which do you prefer?

Just Zigiotti. It sometimes goes down as Zigiotti Olme, but I prefer just Zigiotti for football. I think it sounds cooler, just having the single name! ●

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION PARTNER OF MANCHESTER UNITED

Stands IN THE

↑ Happy birthday to season ticket holder, Neil Watson!

↑ Happy 11th birthday, Layla – from Mum, Auntie Helena, best friend Molly, Jan, Dee and Matt.

↓ Happy 13th, Jameel. Love Mum, Mummy, Scarlett and the Zoo!

↓ Happy birthday Zuzanna, from best friends Honey Mia and Alice.

↑ Liv, Tahlia, Stevie and Jo had a great time in Turin watching the Reds play Juventus.

↑ Happy birthday, Abi, from sister Isabelle and Dad.

← Owen turned 13 on 31 January – all the best!

↑ ‘Happy 32nd birthday, Yentl – I hope you have an amazing day. I love you. Laura’

↑ Happy 13th birthday, Mia – love from Mum, Dad and Josh.

↑ Charlotte is attending her first game today – and she’s excited!

YOUR TEXT MESSAGES

● Belated shout-out to Alexa celebrating her 12th birthday.

● Luke Leigh wants to be in the programme – our pleasure!

● ‘A huge happy 40th birthday to my wonderful wife Emily! Enjoy your special day! Love you so much, Danielle.’

● Wendy, Ste and family say: belated happy 16th, Amelia!

↓ Happy 14th birthday, Tegan! Love Mum, Dad and Taylor-Jade.

● Esmee Francis is celebrating her 19th birthday –Mum, Bailey and Dexter hope you have an amazing day.

● Happy birthday, Danielle, enjoy your special day and love you lots – Emily, Max, Milo and Minnie.

● Happy 60th birthday, James! Lots of love from Beth.

GETTING A SEAT ON THE TRAIN HOME

ABSOLUTE LIMBS IN THE STANDS FOR A 90th MINUTE EQUALISER

Choose to experience every moment.

Live every week on Sky Sports, BBC, and YouTube.

BUCKETS OF STYLE!

Nothing says Manchester quite like the effortlessly cool look of a bucket hat, so how fitting it was that a group of Manchester United Foundation participants were able to design and create their own to kickstart 2026.

Young people from two of the Foundation’s partner high schools aptly spent a day on campus at the University of Manchester, expressing their creativity by cutting materials into size, stitching them together and completing their craft on the sewing machines.

Working with the faculty of science and engineering at the university, the students also learnt about the importance of responsible recycling. “It’s been a very good day and we finished the hats surprisingly quickly – it was cool!” said Brandon, from Co-op Academy North Manchester. “I put the United badge on my hat because I’m a true Red! We were using a United shirt to create the hats and we got the adidas stripes from the shoulder part of the shirt and put them on the hat too.”

Maryam, from Broadoak School, added: “I feel proud to have made my hat! We used the sewing machine and cut all the materials. Now, I feel I can sew by myself because of doing this.”

Fellow Broadoak student Aliyah concluded: “My hat has the

United badge on it because we are the best team and we have a lot of history! I’ve done it more than I’ve done it before today. If I need to stitch something, I can do it without someone needing to help. I can sew by myself because of doing this.”

The students are part of the Foundation’s Eco Reds programme,

which aims to equip youngsters with the knowledge and skills to better protect the environment for generations to come. Eco Reds is a Players’ Project Pilot, supported by the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association. The Players’ Project Pilot aims to build stronger connections between players, communities and football clubs by putting players at the heart of local projects that help to address important societal issues.

For more, visit mufoundation.org

Rock, YOu Rach!

JANUARY WAS AN EMOTIONAL MONTH AT CARRINGTON, AS A TRUE CULT HERO BID FAREWELL TO THE REDS. HERE WE SALUTE OUR GAME-CHANGER EXTRAORDINAIRE...

Words Charlie Ghagan

When Rachel Williams put pen-to-paper on a two-year contract with the Reds in the summer of 2022, we knew we were getting a player with a wealth of experience – albeit one that, aged 34, was perhaps beyond the very peak of her powers.

“I got a lot of grief when we bought her,” Marc Skinner would later admit, after recruiting the forward he’d previously managed at Birmingham City from 2017-19, a stint that sat in between Williams’s other top-flight spells at Doncaster Belles, Chelsea, Notts County and Tottenham.

Anyone who genuinely thought the former England international was past her best clearly hadn’t seen her performances throughout the previous campaign, as Williams finished joint-top scorer for an otherwise young Spurs squad, managed by another Skinner, Rehanne, as they claimed a club-high fifth-placed WSL finish, while reaching the League Cup semis. “I’ll bring 100 per cent work rate and desire to win every game – I can guarantee that,” said the Leicester-born forward during her signing interview for the Reds.

United’s new no.28 was soon making good on that promise. With 81 minutes on the clock during our WSL home game against Brighton on 16 October 2022 –and United already home and hosed at 4-0 up – on came Rachel for her debut, charging onto the field of play here in Leigh to replace Nikita Parris as if we were in desperate need of a late equaliser.

Three-and-a-half years on, and with 89 further United appearances under her belt – a tally that yielded 21 goals – Williams’s swinging-elbow, head down dashes from the touchline as the United fans cheer her on will be one of the many things we’ll miss about her after she moved on to Leicester last month – the Foxes being her hometown club who Rachel previously represented throughout much of her teens.

CONNECTING WITH THE FANS

The beauty of being considered a footballing cult hero is that it can’t be forced – only the supporters of that club can bestow such an honour – and ‘Big Will’ (as she’s affectionately known) has pretty much ticked every box when it comes to connecting with the fans. From her pre-football career (and possibly her post-football one, from what she’s told us!) as a plasterer, to her infectious humour, to that immense desire she promised us all on day number one, she’s always been able to connect with our brilliant supporters, who in turn can see themselves in her.

But course, personality can only take you so far. To be considered a bona fide cult hero, you also need an unforgettable moment or two on the pitch.

While Williams’s first term at United had some real high points among her 25 appearances (and six goals) – a crucial late winner at Reading to send us top of the WSL, and another one at home to Brighton in the FA Cup semis – it would be ’23/24 when Rachel really ‘came up clutch’ to cement her place in Reds folklore, with her opening-day winner in added time at Villa Park laying the foundations for an excellent personal campaign for United’s no.28.

In November 2023, another injury-time goal on the road – this time at Brighton – would maintain our unbeaten start to the WSL season, but her familiar clenched-fist celebration that day would be tame compared to the scenes of jubilation witnessed in the latter stages of the FA Cup the following spring.

First a precise header from Ella Toone’s cross put us 2-0 up against Chelsea in the semi-final in an eventual

RACHEL WILLIAMS FAREWELL

I’llsitandwaitformy moment,andnotletthe atmosphereormoments inthegamegettome

2-1 win – arguably still the Reds’ greatest day in Leigh – before Rach used her head even more impressively in the Wembley final, this time from a Katie Zelem set-piece, to again put us 2-0 up en route to our first major trophy, secured against her former club Spurs.

What a moment – and what a photo (right), as Williams’s 5ft 7in frame towers over half the Spurs team to bury the ball home with her forehead. “A lot of people say I’m a cheat code with my head, because I can do things with it they’ve not seen before,” Rach would tell us when discussing that goal. “But if you’ve got that fearless attitude to head in, and you just learn the angles and little flicks and tricks, it can be such an advantage.”

Both of these two epic ’23/24 FA Cup contests saw Williams named in Marc Skinner’s starting XI, but walking out the tunnel pre-match alongside her team-mates was a rare event: of her 90 United appearances, 72 came as a sub, making her the most subbed-on player in our history by a huge margin.

Thankfully Williams clearly revels in such a role, bounding onto the pitch like a coiled spring with the immediate intention of harrying down tiring opponents. Despite her age, Rach’s fitness levels were always as good as anyone’s in the squad, and conserving energy levels isn’t much of a concern when you’re joining the action well into the second half. It meant that four-fifths of her Reds appearances would essentially be a sprint to the full-time whistle.

“I’ll sit there [on the bench] and I’ll wait for my moment, and not let the atmosphere or the moments in the game get to me,” she told us towards the end of her first season at United, when her reputation was already secured as a ‘game changer’ – an alternative to ‘substitute’ first embraced by Casey Stoney, which has never felt more appropriate than when applying it to Williams. “I’ll be watching, taking note of what

I need to do if I am brought on, so having those minutes beforehand, I know what the job is that needs doing. You have to remain calm in those moments, and it comes naturally to me to stay calm. If Marc sees I’m sitting and ready to go, that’s all I want.”

staying on song in the cup

While our FA Cup-winning 2023/24 term will rightly be remembered as Rach’s best in red – her 31 appearances is a career high for a single campaign, while her 11 goals is a tally she’s only beaten once while playing for a top-flight club (14 for Birmingham in 2011, as she won the WSL Golden Boot) – Williams continued to make an impact in ’24/25, albeit in a more peripheral role following the pre-season arrival of Elisabeth Terland to bolster our attacking ranks. Williams’s four goals in 23 outings last season briefly included her first United hat-trick, in the 7-0 rout of West Brom, only for one of her strikes to later be awarded to Celin Bizet – ironically leaving Celin with the matchball – as Rachel had to make do with just a pair. Either way, it wasn’t a bad achievement after spending the first hour of the fourth-round tie

Season 2024/25

1,324 signed and charitable items distributed

517k+ total free-of-charge attendances at sessions and events 41% female participation

£2.3m raised by fans and fundraising

41,289

125 unique participants projects

mufoundation.org/ourimpact

on the bench, and it made for yet another impressive FA Cup moment – her last-minute equaliser to help Birmingham to an eventual win against Chelsea in the 2012 final clearly sparking an enduring love for the knockout competition.

back to where it all began...

Alas, Williams’s brace against the Baggies would be her final goals for the Reds, and 20 of her subsequent 22 appearances would be (often brief) runouts from the bench. With the recent arrivals of forwards Lea Schuller and Ellen Wangerheim likely to limit Rachel’s involvement further, a mid-season move made sense for all parties, and with it came the opportunity for Rachel to return ‘home’ to Leicester, where it all began for her as a 12-year-old, as she progressed through their centre of excellence to play in their senior side, before promotion to the FA Women’s Premier League Northern Division two decades ago.

“I started my career here and I’ve always said I’d like to come back, as Leicester is my home town,” she proudly said after completing the move, while her Instagram farewell brought a lump to all our throats. ‘I knew coming to this club I wanted to make a big impact and I certainly feel I have done that. Making three FA Cup finals,

competing for the WSL title and some years going toe-to-toe until the last game and qualifying for the Champions League... some pretty big memories I’ll treasure forever. Once a red, always a red.’

Paying tribute to his trusted forward, Marc Skinner said: “It was with a heavy heart we allowed her to go but it was the right move. Rachel is one of the unique footballers – an icon for our club. She carved out a historic position for herself with the ‘Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’ super-sub role.”

An early reunion with the Reds could come as early as next weekend, as we visit Leicester in the WSL. Whatever Williams’s involvement that day, and whatever the outcome of the game, you can be sure of one thing: whether in the home or the away end, the Foxes’ new forward will receive the warmest of receptions from everyone in the stands at the King Power Stadium. Thanks for the memories, Rach... ●

SEE YOU SATURDAY?

Our first meeting with Birmingham in December 2019 saw Rach tee up Abbi Grant to net for the Blues –but the Reds prevailed 3-1 to book a place in the League Cup quarters.

Rach played the full 90 for Spurs in our 4-1 win in Leigh in April 2021, as she did for the next term’s two WSL games – the first being a 1-1 draw (above); the second a 3-0 Reds win.

OUR TRIP TO THE KING POWER COULD SEE WILLIAMS FACE UNITED WITH A THIRD CLUB...

With Leicester having the youngest average starting XI in the WSL this season, Williams brings added experience, with Swiss forward Alisha Lehmann also signing.

The 22-year-old full-back has been such a consistent performer down the left this season. The Swede is only three appearances shy of reaching 50 for the Reds.

2. ANNA SANDBERG 3. GABBY GEORGE

The Manchester-born full-back, who turns 29 tomorrow, has also played centrally this term, taking her to 43 United games overall. Enjoy your birthday, Gabs!

SQUAD SN APSHOTs

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THOSE IN RED

MAYA LE TISSIER 7. ELLA TOONE

United’s all-time leader for goals and appearances – who was recently made an MBE – doesn’t miss many games, but she’s currently out with a hip injury.

ELISABETH TERLAND

Teri’s recent goals against Arsenal in the cup and Villa in the WSL took her to 12 for the season – matching her tally from ’24/25, and just three short of her career-best campaign.

Our skipper got the Reds off to a flyer in our last home outing, against Burnley, firing home a screamer in the second minute – her 12th goal for the club.

How the 23-year-old Swedish defender – previously with AIK, Hammarby, Atletico Madrid and San Diego Wave – enjoyed her first United goal at Villa last weekend.

8. JESS PARK 9. MELVINE MALARD

The Reds’ new no.8 is our joint top scorer in the WSL so far this season, with five goals. Her mazy run and finish at Villa Park was the latest clip for Jess’s highlights reel.

The French forward is always a menace in the opposition box –despite not adding to her five WSL goals this term away to Villa, she claimed two assists in the 4-1 win.

LEAH GALTON 12. FRIDOLINA ROLFO

After overcoming an injury at the start of ’25/26, Galton recently returned to the treatment room with a back issue. She’ll be hoping to add to her 171 appearances soon.

The Swedish winger, who can also play at left-back, has Bayern, Wolfsburg and Barcelona on her footballing CV, and she’s already scored six goals for her new club.

Also currently on the Reds’ roster: 1. KAYLA RENDELL (GK); 25. EVIE RABJOHN (DF); 36. MARED GRIFFITHS (MF);

13.

SIMI AWUJO

The midfielder had a strong January, starting both cup ties against both Burnley and Arsenal, while netting her first goal for the Reds in the first of those two wins.

16. LISA NAALSUND

Celin’s compatriot recently surpassed 300 senior club games, 61 of which have come for United. She stepped off the bench to net a key goal v Brighton in November.

The exciting young forward is our most recent arrival, on 16 January, and how the Swede enjoyed claiming an assist for Terland to help us reach the League Cup final.

19. ELLEN WANGERHEIM 24. LEA SCHULLER

The German international – with a superb record of 54 goals from 82 caps – joined the Reds in late December, showcasing her quality with a headed goal against Burnley.

14. JAYDE RIVIERE

Following her sending off at Arsenal in the WSL to begin 2026, the Canadian would have enjoyed our League Cup win against the Gunners as much as anyone.

17.

DOMINIQUE JANSSEN

Our versatile no.17 has been a regular in central defence this season, with the 132-capped Netherlands international linking up well alongside Le Tissier.

20. HINATA MIYAZAWA

The win v Burnley last time out in Leigh saw Hini come off the bench – the only time she hasn’t been a starter in ’25/26, with her intelligent midfield play vital to the team.

39. SAFIA MIDDLETONPATEL

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

15. CELIN BIZET DONNUM

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

18.

JULIA ZIGIOTTI

The Swedish midfielder had a January to remember, with her first two Reds goals including one direct from a corner – just like Katie Zelem twice did for us.

21. MILLIE TURNER

The experienced centre-back, capped twice by England, is back in the fold following a knee injury. She previously played at senior level for Everton and Bristol City.

91. PHALLON TULLISJOYCE

The former Reims and OL Reign goalkeeper will be delighted with our recent defensive record –and how she’d love a 13th clean sheet of the campaign today.

LIVERPOOL

If there’s one thing the last eight years have taught us, it’s that games between United and Liverpool are never dull. None of the previous dozen meetings, stretching back to our first competitive fixture in August 2018 when Lizzie Arnot scored a late winner in a League Cup upset, have finished level. Memorably, the WSL clash here in Leigh in January 2023 finished 6-0 in our favour, while Liverpool had earlier been the opponents for our first ever top-flight victory in September 2019, when Lauren James and Katie Zelem found the net in a 2-0 win. The Merseysiders have had their moments, though, including a league double in 2023/24 and a 3-1 win in last season’s WSL clash at Anfield. They will hope to draw on some of those past performances today as they look to build some belated momentum in a stuttering league campaign.

RECENT FORM

Even though they remain bottom, Liverpool emerged triumphant over Tottenham in St Helens last Sunday – a win that served as huge relief for Gareth Taylor’s side. They started the league campaign with six consecutive losses, and with just three points on the board heading into 2026, a 0-0 draw against London City Lionesses felt like a turning point, yielding a first WSL clean sheet of the season. A 6-0 FA Cup win over London Bees followed, and then came their result of the season so far, and a third clean sheet in a row, at home to Spurs. Dramatically it was only sealed with goals after the 90th minute – Mia Enderby (left) getting the second – yet the 2-0 win was no smash and grab, with Liverpool creating many more chances than the visitors, who were flying high in fourth prior to kick-off.

WHO TO LOOK OUT FOR...

Formed: 1989 (as Newton Ladies)

Nickname: The Reds

Major honours: WSL winners 2013, 2014

Last season: WSL 7th place; FA Cup semi-finals; League Cup group stage; top scorer (all comps): Olivia Smith (9)

Record v United: P12 W4 D0 L8 F9 A22

Summer arrival Beata Olsson has stepped forward since Sophie Roman Haug was sidelined with an ACL injury in late October. The Swedish striker – who celebrated her 25th birthday yesterday – netted her first Liverpool goal on 2 November and now has eight to her name across all competitions. Injury saw her miss some action last month – ex-Red Martha Thomas joining on loan from Spurs to bolster the attacking ranks – but Olsson could return today. Further back on the pitch, Denise O’Sullivan (below) enjoyed a goalscoring start to her Liverpool career in the FA Cup. Following a January switch from North Carolina Courage, where she’d been captain since 2023, last weekend marked the 31-year-old’s league bow for Liverpool, after which head coach Taylor highlighted the importance of the Irish midfielder’s experience.

LAST LINE-UP

the leaders

This season has marked a new chapter for head coach Gareth Taylor after 14 years at Manchester City – the last five of those were as women’s first-team boss. The mission laid out by his new employer is to build ‘a Liverpool team, playing Liverpool football’. And while it’s been a tough road so far, on and off the pitch, Taylor firmly believes that setbacks “make you stronger.” On the pitch, Grace Fisk was appointed captain ahead of this season following the retirement of club legend Niamh Fahey. The 28-year-old defender was voted Liverpool Players’ Player of the Year in 2023/24 and signed a new contract last April. She hadn’t known Taylor long when she was handed the armband, “so for him to select me means a lot,” but equally speaks volumes about her standing.

FACTS & FUNNIES FROM FRED THE RED!

SHOW YOUR COLOURS!

WE’LL SEE TWO TEAMS WHO TRADITIONALLY WEAR RED TODAY – BUT CAN YOU MATCH THESE OTHER WSL TEAMS TO THEIR USUAL HOME SHIRT COLOUR?

BRIGHTON

CHELSEA

TOTTENHAM

WEST HAM

CLARET & BLUE

BLUE & WHITE

STRIPES

BLUE

WHITE

GUESS THE RED

2 WE HAD TWO NEW SWEDES AND A GERMAN PLAY IN LEIGH FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OUR LAST HOME GAME – BUT WHO’S ELLEN, WHO’S HANNA AND WHO’S LEA?

1

3

WINDOW SHOPPING

WITH THREE NEW RECRUITS IN JANUARY, HERE’S A LOOK BACK AT SOME OTHER MID-SEASON ARRIVALS…

MARIA

THORISDOTTIR CHELSEA, 2021

JADE MOORE ORLANDO PRIDE, 2022

DIANE CALDWELL

NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE, 2022

JAYDE RIVIERE

AFC ANN ARBOR, 2023

SIGNE BRUUN

LYON (LOAN), 2022

ESTELLE CASCARINO PSG (LOAN), 2023

STATS

AT THE BACK

WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE TABLE, 2025/26

UNITED APPEARANCES & GOALS, 2025/26

WSL TOP SCORERS, 2025/26

UEFA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TABLE, 2025/26

TURNER BACK ON TRACK

Millie Turner’s two runouts in our last three games – against Burnley in the FA Cup (a starter) and Villa in the WSL (from the bench) – saw her move to within 20 appearances of a double century for the Reds, with only Ella Toone ahead of her in our all-time rankings (below). The first of Millie’s 180 games, of course, came against today’s opponents –game #1 of 228 in our history in August 2018 (pictured).

WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE

pREVIeW

EIGHT OTHER TEAMS ARE IN ACTION TODAY -- HERE’S THE FULL RUNDOWN...

As Marc Skinner’s side embark on our lunchtime kick-off against Liverpool, there are three other games commencing simultaneously. Of that trio, it’s West Ham United hosting Tottenham Hotspur that most Reds will have our eyes on, given that a win for Spurs and a loss here for ourselves would see the north London outfit overtake United in the WSL standings.

The Hammers will go into the match buoyed by their most recent outing, a 2-1 away victory over Leicester City, following on from a 3-0 victory at Newcastle in the FA Cup, and they’ll have Katie Zelem on hand to help out, the former United captain having signed on loan from London City Lionesses. Spurs nabbed a slender 1-0 win in the reverse fixture in September, courtesy of a Bethany England penalty.

Over at Goodison Park, Everton welcome Aston Villa to Merseyside in another 11.55am start, looking to end a run of three league losses on the bounce. The Toffees did, however, prove themselves as a force to be reckoned with in December, with a 1-0 victory over current champions Chelsea, and they have our own Hannah Blundell in their ranks, after she joined Everton on loan last month.

Rounding off the midday action is Brighton & Hove Albion against London City Lionesses at Broadfield Stadium. The two sides only met in the WSL at the start of December, with that ending in a 1-0 win for the Seagulls courtesy of Kiko Seike’s goal. It could be another tight affair, with the duo sitting just one point apart in the WSL.

The only other game of the day sees a top-of-the-table clash as Chelsea travel to face Manchester City, with a slightly later start time of 2.30pm. From a Reds perspective, we could probably do with a win for Sonia Bompastor’s visitors, as City go into the game with a nine-point advantage at the summit. The Blues of London arrive off the back of a two-goal defeat to fellow Champions League

challengers Arsenal, whereas our crosstown rivals have lost just once in the league. That loss, though? Against Chelsea, who also claimed a win when the two met in the League Cup, so it’ll certainly be one to keep an eye on after our game finishes in Leigh. Arsenal were due to welcome Leicester City to Emirates Stadium the day before these five fixtures, but that game was postponed due to the Gunners’ involvement in the Women’s Champions Cup.

F IXTURES + RESULTS

ADDED-TIME QUIZ

1

In August 2018’s landmark win over Liverpool, which current squad member became the first player ever to come on as a Reds substitute?

2

Martha Thomas got United’s fifth in a 6-0 win over today’s opponents in January 2023, but which Spain international opened the scoring that day?

3

Which current Red got her first goal for the club in last season’s 4-0 WSL triumph over Liverpool here in Leigh?

4 Today is United’s 27th competitive game of the season – how many had the Reds played by the same date in 2024/25: 17, 19 or 23?

5 Which current Red once hit a Champions League hat-trick against Liverpool in 2014?

6 Liverpool were of course our first-ever competitive opponents, but who were the first side the Reds faced here in Leigh?

7 Phallon Tullis-Joyce kept a clean sheet against Liverpool in only her second United appearance, but in which year?

8 Ella Toone, Hinata Miyazawa and Celin Bizet Donnum were all on target as the Reds’ first home league game of 2025 ended in a 3-0 win over which side?

9

Which United midfielder was a team-mate of Lea Schuller at Bayern Munich last season?

10

Recently departed forward Rachel Williams got the final goal as United beat Liverpool here in Leigh in last season’s League Cup by what scoreline?

UNITED

I

WANNA BE ADORED

MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN

LIVERPOOL WOMEN

Head coach Marc Skinner Head coach Gareth Taylor

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

Evie Rabjohn

Mared Griffiths

Safia Middleton-Patel (GK)

Tamira Livingston

Jessica Anderson

Scarlett Hill

Layla Drury

Phallon Tullis-Joyce (GK)

Referee Phoebe Cross

Assistants Sophie Dennington, Georgia Ball

Fourth official Declan Brown

Rachael Laws (GK)

Lucy Parry

Gemma Evans

Grace Fisk

Risa Shimizu

Denise O’Sullivan

Cornelia Kapocs

Fuka Nagano

Leanne Kiernan

Sophie Roman Haug

Beata Olsson

Rafaela Borggrafe (GK)

Mia Enderby

Marie Hobinger

Sofie Lundgaard

Lily Woodham

Jenna Clark

Ceri Holland

Kirsty Maclean

Anna Josendal

Faye Kirby (GK)

Gemma Bonner

Sam Kerr

Alice Bergstrom

Aurelie Csillag

Jennifer Falk (GK)

Alejandra Bernabe

Martha Thomas

Hannah Silcock

Zara Shaw

Heidi Morgan (GK)

Neve McDonald

Trueman