Manchester United Women v Manchester City match programme, WSL, 28.03.26

INSide

YOUR MATCH PROGRAMME

04 14 12 28

HEAD COACH’S COLUMN

TALK OF THE TERRACE

CAPTAIN’S COLUMN

OUR TOP FIVE DERBY DAYS

TERLAND EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

MUW ACADEMY

ANNA SANDBERG’S LUCKY 7

ABBIE McMANUS INTERVIEW

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, Isaac Stacey Stronge, Helen Rowe-Willcocks, Sean Mullan, Jamie Spencer, Matt Brown, Stuart Davis

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

SKINNER Marc

OUR FIXTURE SCHEDULE IS DEMANDING RIGHT NOW, BUT THE PLAYERS’ COMMITMENT IS CLEAR TO SEE, AND I KNOW EVERY RED WILL BE FIRED UP AND READY FOR DERBY DAY AT OLD TRAFFORD...

Hello and welcome back to Old Trafford for the second time this week.

We are so grateful for the support you bring to every game. For games like this one, at a stadium like this, we need you more than ever, to give us that extra energy and push us over the line.

I felt a real turning point in the game against Everton last weekend, and it came from you fans. When we conceded, I heard the response from the stands – the roar, the belief, the togetherness. As a coach, those moments are rare, where you can truly feel the shift. In that instant, I knew everyone in the stadium believed we could still go on and win. And that belief carried us in final few minutes of the game. We always say we need you, but moments like that show just how powerful you fans are.

The Everton match last Saturday was a real team performance. Every player –whether starting the game, or coming on – gave their all to get us over the line. I was really proud to see that, and that spirit will be crucial again today.

The demands of this schedule are high – it’s exactly where we want to be, but it requires an exceptional level of commitment from the squad. The players are meeting that challenge head-on, and we must continue to use this rhythm to our advantage.

We have a lot of respect for Manchester City and the threat they will bring today. But this is a derby at Old Trafford – and that should bring out the very best in all of us.

Terrace TAlk ofthe

ALL THE CHAT AHEAD OF TODAY’S OLD TRAFFORD DERBY...

We’re back at Old Trafford for a second heavyweight clash in four days, and this time it’s derby day…

After hosting Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, attention returns to our Barclays Women’s Super League campaign this afternoon, and the visit from old foes Manchester City. It’s a meeting between the division’s top two

and our goal is to close the gap on the league-leading visitors, while strengthening our hopes of finishing in one of the three European places for next season. It feels remarkable that there are only four games left in this WSL term for Marc Skinner’s Reds, including this one, but that just highlights how important of an opportunity this is to put some more points on the board as the campaign’s conclusion closes in.

We’d secure the bragging rights with a win too of course, but what would it do to the table exactly?

Victory here would cut the gap to City down to five points and keep us in second position for nearly another month at least, as the next WSL games after today are not scheduled to take place until the final weekend of April. A win would also make sure we stay ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal, one and three points behind respectively, in the race for the Champions League places, ahead of their fixtures later this weekend (more about those on page 43). City, meanwhile, will be hoping to continue their charge towards a first WSL title since 2016 and, while they can’t clinch the crown here today, they could take a big step towards it with a positive result. Preventing that advance will naturally be another motivating factor this afternoon, if one is needed for Skinner’s side.

Playing City in M16 brings back good memories of last year’s fixture here between the teams… United came from two goals down to draw 2-2 in the derby here last May, a result which – as you may remember – secured our initial qualification to this season’s Champions League.

A fair bit has happened since then, not least the summer business between the clubs that saw Jess Park and Grace Clinton swap sides in Manchester. City Academy graduate Park has since been a central figure to our first proper European campaign, alongside a competitive WSL season and a run to a maiden League Cup final, while Clinton has helped City to the top of the league table, even if a lower-body injury has prevented her from contributing to the Blues’ last two games. But Clinton could be a big player for City in their run-in, that

also features an FA Cup quarter-final away to Birmingham City a week on Monday.

Speaking of midfielders, United will have to overcome the absence of a key one this afternoon… Julia Zigiotti won’t play, as she is serving a one-match suspension after picking up her fifth yellow card of the top-flight season in last weekend’s win over Everton. Ziggi has been brilliant for us in her debut campaign after signing from Bayern and, while her experience, tenacious qualities and goalscoring knack in 2026 – she’s our top scorer this calendar year with five, despite not finding the net for the Reds until January – will be missed today, there is an opportunity for another member of Skinner’s squad to step up. Hinata Miyazawa’s return from helping Japan to win the Asian Cup was a welcome sight against Bayern and can help fill that void, while Lisa Naalsund could contribute again after starting nine of our last 10 games, as could Simi Awujo after impressing from the start in the aforementioned victory at home Everton seven days ago. There are options for Skinner, all being well with fitness on the back of Wednesday, and it will be interesting to see how we line up in an encounter that everyone wants to play in. Bring on United! ●

Maya THE CAPTAIN

IT’S ANOTHER MATCHDAY WITH MUCH AT STAKE, AND WITH THE WSL FINISH LINE IN OUR SIGHTS, THE IMPORTANCE OF A DERBY DAY WIN CAN’T BE OVERSTATED...

Today is another important game at Old Trafford. We love to play here, and as a United player it doesn’t get much better than a Manchester derby at this famous stadium.

We have great memories of securing a Champions League spot here against City last season and we know today’s match is equally as important, with only three WSL games to play after today.

With the amount of games we’ve had this season across four competitions, it’s been a different but great challenge for us. The squad has been depleted at times but we

have all pulled together. We’ve had some girls playing in different positions but everyone is fighting and competing with everything they’ve got, so credit to them all.

It’s important that when some players aren’t available, everyone else works that bit harder and picks up the slack, and everyone has been fighting to do that.

We’ve loved playing in all these competitions and it’s been a privilege to keep leading this team out this season.

I’ve been most proud of how we’ve overcome so many different challenges on and off the pitch. How we’ve always been together no matter what and found a way to get through. That’s what makes this team special. We have an important bond and every single one of us fights to the final whistle, as I promise you we will do again in today’s derby.

Fernandes recognises the importance of Park to the United Women midfield

‘PARK SUITS THE SHIRT...’

Ahead of derby day, Bruno Fernandes says Jess is a true Red in every possible way

They both wear no.8 in the Reds’ midfield, and they’ve both been winning regular plaudits on account of their superb performances throughout this season.

So when we asked Bruno Fernandes who he was looking forward to seeing in today’s WSL derby, it was no surprise to hear him single out Jess Park.

“Jess has that imagination to create something, to be the playmaker of the team,” the men’s team skipper tells us.

“I know she’s young but she’s already showing herself with a very high level.”

Bruno continues:

“If you look, she’s not afraid, she takes risks. She always tries something different

and has a lot of personality for a player coming into a big stage and a big club as Manchester United is.”

Park’s transfer from City will only add to the interest in her this afternoon, insists the Portuguese skipper.

“Obviously Jess played

The Reds’ next Barclays WSL game after today is due to be Tottenham Hotspur away on Sunday 26 April – a 12pm kick-off that has been selected for television coverage by Sky Sports. However, should United reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, the match – due to be played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium –will be rescheduled for 7.45pm on Wednesday 6 May. The fixture would still be shown live on Sky Sports.

We won 1-0 on our last game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

OUR TRIP TO TOTTENHAM WSL FINALE CONFIRMED

to help to win the derby.

“Since she came [to United] she’s been more or less every time Player of the way I’ve seen her playing, I think she really suits and fits into the Manchester

The final day of the WSL season has been confirmed as Saturday 16 May, with all matches due to kick off at 1pm and be broadcast by Sky Sports. United are away to Chelsea, in what could be a crucial battle with regards to Champions League qualification. Tickets for the clash at Stamford Bridge, and the aforementioned trip to Spurs, are due to go on sale four weeks before the respective games – scan the QR code for the latest information.

Dynamite

20 Oct 2019

United 2 v 0 CityLeague Cup, Leigh

How could we leave out our first derby win? Coming six weeks after our maiden meeting with City in the WSL, we’d exact revenge in our League Cup opener, with Zelem and Sigsworth on target. The second half saw Walsh sent off for the Blues – the reigning League Cup holders – as our group stage began in some style.

3

4

19 Jan 2025 City 2 v 4 United

WSL, Etihad

We suspect Toone would have this at no.1 – a hat-trick at the Etihad as we stunned City in front of 22,497 fans. It was a chaotic clash, with City errors punished, and crucially the win saw us leapfrog the Blues into third. “We need to use this as a momentum point,” said Skinner post-match –and how we did, with seven more wins in our next eight preserving our place in the WSL’s top three.

4 May 2025

United 2 v 2 City WSL, Old Trafford

The only non-victory in our list, but if ever a draw felt like a win, it was this one, as we clinched a UWCL place in an M16 thriller. At 2-0 down, it looked like City would be back in the top-three race on this penultimate ’24/25 matchday, only for Clinton, then Malard, to claw us level. Mannion’s red card increased the tension as City rallied, but it made the sound of the final whistle even sweeter.

Derbies!

OUR COUNTDOWN OF EXPLOSIVE REDS v BLUES BATTLES, FROM FIVE TO ONE...

13 Apr 2025 City 0 v 2 United FA Cup, Joie Stadium

There’s a special kind of tension in the air reserved for FA Cup semis, and from the moment Bizet gave us a sixth-minute lead, the Reds seemed intent on using that nervous energy as fuel to reach a third straight final. Clinton made it 2-0, and while Tullis-Joyce would be required to make two excellent saves, it was ultimately a comfortable derby win on enemy turf.

21 May 2023

United 2 v 1 City

WSL, Leigh

An epic Sunday night in the sunshine. Ladd’s second-minute rocket. Roebuck’s red card for a flying tackle. Angeldahl’s leveller... and then Garcia’s winner at the death, a moment (left) followed by celebrations we’ll never forget. It all played out in front of a then-record crowd in Leigh, with Lucia’s late intervention meaning our title push would go down to the final day, while effectively condemning City to fourth place. “You saw from the start we were electric and aggressive,” said a proud Marc Skinner.

ET

nOw is the poiNt wHere we need to shOw

CHATTING TO US THE DAY AFTER BEATING EVERTON, ELISABETH TERLAND WAS “BUZZING” ABOUT THE LAST-GASP VICTORY,

NO.10

BUT OUR NORWEGIAN

KNOWS THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THAT WINNING FEELING ALIVE IN THE WEEKS AHEAD...

Interview Charlie Ghagan

First of all, Teri, you must all be buzzing with Saturday’s result against Everton in the WSL. What late drama in Leigh!

We knew we needed to win that game. Not every game we play is easy or pretty, but the way the game ends is the most important thing, and the ending was really nice. So, yeah, I’m still buzzing about it!

You tucked your goal away nicely too, to make it 1-0 in the first half... Thanks. I had a few chances early on in the game, so it felt good to put that one away.

There was some frustration after the goalless draw at West Ham a few days earlier, but it just goes to show how quickly things can change – Chelsea drew their game as we beat Everton, and all of a sudden the league table’s looking much better again... Yeah, the Everton game was a massive result for us. We know what we want to achieve, and the only thing we can focus on is ourselves, but the results on Saturday have put us in a good position. We just have to make sure we now finish the season strongly.

How pleased are you with your own form overall this season?

As we speak [ahead of the Bayern game], you’re on 15 goals for the campaign – so you only need one more to beat your personal season-best tally...

Yeah, I’m aware! Obviously, I have my individual goals, alongside the team goals. As a team I think we’ve had a great season – so far. But now is the

point where we need to show who we are, and I need to show who I am. This is the point in the season where everyone has to step up, and bring a bit extra. But right now I’m happy with what I’ve achieved so far this season.

And our all-time scoring record for a single campaign is also in your sights – Jessica Sigsworth, in 2018/19. You probably know about that too, right?

No, I didn’t, but I do now so thanks for that! It’s good to know [laughs]!

How are you looking forward to welcoming Hini back this week, following her Asian Cup win with Japan in Australia?

FACTFILE

FULL NAME Elisabeth Terland

DATE OF BIRTH 28 June 2001

POSITION Forward

PLACE OF BIRTH

Stavanger, Norway

We watched the final in the changing room before the Everton game. We all love Hini and we’re very happy that she achieved that with Japan. We’re very proud of her, and we obviously can’t wait to get her back. We’ll all be passing on our congratulations to her.

YOUTH CAREER Bryne

SENIOR CAREER

2016

Bryne 3 apps

2017-20

Klepp 72 apps, 22 goals

2021-22

Brann 38 apps, 16 goals

2022-24

Brighton & Hove Albion 50 apps, 23 goals

2024-present

Manchester United 58 apps, 27 goals (up to 22.03.26)

INTERNATIONAL CAREER

Norway 48 caps, 10 goals

Moving on to the derby – I’m sure you remember the last time we faced City at Old Trafford, the 2-2 draw last May to secure us a UWCL place. It was a great day in the end, but I’m sure you’d agree we’d rather not go two goals down in this one if we can help it.... Yeah, 100 per cent! When I look back at that game, it’s a great memory to have. I remember the equaliser [from Melvine Malard], and us being one player down toward the end [after Aoife Mannion’s red card]. It was a great moment when the

full-time whistle went, and the game was almost what you’d expect from a ‘derby’... but then again I think we’d prefer things to be a bit more comfortable, of course!

You had a backpost header that was (perhaps harshly) disallowed that day – a shame, as you’re still awaiting your first Old Trafford goal.... I am, although I have assisted! So it’s about time I scored one. Hopefully in either of the two games this week, against either Bayern or City. But yeah, I remember that disallowed goal as well.

Will you have any friends and family coming over from Norway specifically for this derby game?

Yeah, the derby is a cool game to see. I’m very fortunate to have people come over quite often, so I’ll have a bunch of family out in the stands at Old Trafford, so that’s cool.

We had a disappointing result when we last played City back in November, but we can’t dwell on that too much, can we – as we’ve seen, previous results and form don’t always count for much come derby day... Yeah, I think you’re right. City have had a really good season so far, and they keep showing it week in, week out. But we’re always focused on the task ahead and we’ll be up for a good fight to get the three points.

And hopefully we’ll have a big crowd at Old Trafford to drive the team on, as we did last May... Yeah. Nothing beats playing at Old Trafford in front of the fans. It gives us that extra energy, so we’re really looking forward to seeing the fans at the game.

Receiving her Player of the Match award last Saturday from our other goalscorer against Everton

Nothingbeatsplaying atOldTraffordinfront ofthefans.Itgivesus thatextraenergyso we’rereallylooking forwardtoseeingthem

We haven’t had much luck with injuries lately, but the versatility of players is proving really useful, isn’t it, such as when Fridolina dropped into a full-back position last weekend... That just shows the quality we have across the squad. It’s all about making the best of every situation; what is best for the team. People need to step up in situations like that, and it shows a lot of character to do that.

Talking of versatility, you’ve played in a slightly deeper role at times this month, haven’t you. How have you enjoyed that? Yeah. When I played in Norway, I was a midfielder or an attacking midfielder, so it’s not like it’s new to me. I’m a player that can play different positions, even though my strongest one is as a ‘nine’, as I am a goalscorer and I like to be in the box. But if a game requires me to do that, I’ll always do what’s needed, and do the best I can for the team, of course.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION PARTNER OF MANCHESTER UNITED

MUW ACADEMY

PUSHING FOR PRIZES

From U16 to U21 level, our young Reds are well in the chase to end the season with silverware...

going strong in league

Our Under-21 continue to impress in their Professional Game Academy League Division One fixtures, with 21 points from 12 games at the time of writing –leaving them neck and neck with Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea in a tight four-way battle at the summit. February’s results included an incredible 8-2 win away to Liverpool, while March began with a 2-0 win on home soil against Aston Villa, before a 1-4 loss to Sunderland last week –Sienna Wareing scoring the Reds’ goal. Six league games remain for United, including key fixtures this week against Chelsea and Arsenal.

Our U21s also have an FA Youth Plate final coming up, against Durham in Loughborough on Saturday 25 April.

dual registration moveS

At senior level, a number of young Reds are reaping the benefits of dual registration moves, enabling them to gain valuable experience in a senior environment, while continuing to be part of the United Academy set-up. Defender Scarlett Hill is with WSL2 side Sheffield United, while midfielders Tamira Livingston and Sienna Wareing are competing in the National League, for Huddersfield and Liverpool Feds respectively. Goalkeeper Poppy Lyons-Walker, meanwhile, is donning the gloves in the fifth tier, with FC United of Manchester.

taking inspiration

For every U21 player, exposure to first-team training can be hugely beneficial. The youngsters stepping out to join the seniors on the grass at Carrington will take inspiration from Jessica Anderson and Layla Drury, both of whom have made their senior debut for Marc Skinner’s side in recent months. The pair were also among the unused substitutes in the Subway League Cup final.

head coach’s praise

Melissa Hamer-Brown, U21s head-coach, tells us: “We’ve seen big developments both individually and collectively. The players have embraced the challenges of the league and plate competitions, and their attitude to learning and improving week by week has been excellent.

“Under-21s football is a crucial to giving players the opportunity to bridge the gap between youth and senior football. Just as importantly, it helps them take on responsibility, and understand what’s required to progress to a first-team environment.

“We’re really pleased with how the squad are progressing, and the focus for the rest of the season is to keep pushing the players with high challenges and high support, while striving for good performances and good standards, on and off the pitch.”

u16s holding their own

Training with more experienced club-mates is something that extends to the younger age groups, with several of our U16 girls exposed to U21s football in recent months, including involvement within games. Such stretch-opportunities alongside older players, which can also involve being played in an unfamiliar position, has been a great challenge for the U16s, as has their involvement in the U16 JPL boys’ league, where they’ve been competing well. The U16s are also through to the semi-final of the Championship Cup, and will face Brighton away on 11 April.

A number of our U16s have also been recognised at international level, representing the youth teams of Northern Ireland, Wales, England and Jamaica. Well done, all!

SeVEN

A RED RANDOMLY PICKS SEVEN BOXES, EACH CONTAINING AN OFFBEAT QUESTION. TODAY IT’S TIME FOR... ANNA SANDBERG

Q: If you weren’t a footballer, what job would you be doing right now?

“I know what I would like to be if I wasn’t a footballer – a police officer. No one in my family has done that job, and it’s just a job I’ve always been interested in. I love watching TV shows about crime – usually Swedish shows – and I also like to be able to help people, so I think it’s a job that I’d enjoy.”

Q. What’s the one food you couldn’t live without?

“Steak! I love steak – making steaks, going to different steak restaurants, trying different steaks... I eat two or three steaks a week so I can’t see myself living without it! A steak is a bit heavy to eat pre-match but it’s definitely fine after a game. I like mine medium rare – that’s perfect!”

Q. Did you have a childhood nickname?

“I’ve been called Sandy at times – sometimes there would be like four different Annas in my team, so three would have to take a nickname.”

Q. If you could replay one match in your career, which one would it be and why?

“Ooh, good question... probably the FA Cup final last year. I’ve never won a big cup like that, and I was looking forward to that game so much. Of course, all of us want to win titles, that’s what we dream about, and were in that game for like 80 minutes. It was a crazy atmosphere, to play at Wembley in front of so many people, and it was painful to lose.”

There must be a steakhouse around here...

Q. Your earliest football memory?

“Just me and my brother playing football. I have two brothers – both older – but one played football and he was my idol when I was younger because of that. I wanted to play football because of him. I’d love going to watch his games, that was the highlight of my week, and he was a full-back too. He still plays now but just with his mates, and he still loves the game. He watches all my games too –they are easier to watch now in Sweden.”

Q. What posters did you have on your wall as a kid?

“It wasn’t Zlatan, but Messi! My brother and dad were Barça fans when I was growing up – they loved Ronaldinho – so we watched them a lot, and Messi became an idol for me. I remember watching him in a Champions League final when I was very young.”

Q. What’s a film you’ve seen 10+ times?

“I’m not a movie person really, even police movies! I’m more into TV shows. I’m not sure I’ve seen any film that many times, to be honest, but one I’ve seen more than once is Notting Hill. It’s a really nice film, Hugh Grant is really good in it, and Julia Roberts is too.”

Stands IN THE

↑ Welcome back, Effie! Let’s hope to see another win!

↑ Moor Row U10s would live to wish coach Adam a happy 40th.

↑ Warm welcome to Llandudno Junction Tigers U13 girls.

↓ Amelia turns 17 on 1 April – she wants a Reds win as an early present!

↓ Happy birthday Scott – love from Laura & Elsie.

↑ Happy 8th birthday Penelope. Love from Mummy and Daddy.

← Welcome to Salthill Devon U13s (hope we got you all in!) They are here from Galway.

● Happy 40th, David Gray – love Jill, Robert & April ● Happy 8th birthday Pippa, love Mum, Dad, Fliss, Jaguars & Tigers ● Shout-out to twins Ellen and Abi Williams – happy birthday for 4 April! ● Happy 48th birthday to Sarah

↑ Amelia Grace is turning 12. We wish you all the best!

← When Teri met Tallulah at Leicester! Tallulah has a birthday on 6 April.

↓ It’s Sophia’s 14th birthday – here she is with the boss.

↑ Happy 40th, Nick Ekste, here with daughter Penny.

MESSAGES

Corfield ● Moor Allerton Hall’s girls’ team are here from Leeds! ● Happy 4th birthday Karter – and happy 13th to Lyra! ● Hello to Alice Carmont-Padmore & Isabelle Singh –have a brilliant time ● Hi, Kimmie and Izzy!

↑ Ellie Doxey is 14 – she’s also started training with Tooney’s ET7 Academy.

GETTING A SEAT ON THE TRAIN HOME

ABSOLUTE LIMBS IN THE STANDS FOR A 90th MINUTE EQUALISER

Choose to experience every moment.

Le Tissier

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

PHALLON’S ZOO TRIP!

Keeper heads to Chester to help students learn all about conservation

Phallon Tullis-Joyce joined students from Manchester United Foundation partner schools in an inspiring conservational experience at Chester Zoo last week.

Regularly delivering lessons about marine life and biology in Foundation partner schools, Phallon joined a group of Eco Reds students on the special tour, where she took part in eco-friendly workshops, as well as a tour of the rainforest habitat with jaguars and two-toed sloths.

Led by the zookeepers, Phallon enjoyed a behind-the-scenes exploration of the Komodo dragon habitat, where she helped to feed them, and spread scent trails to understand more about the endangered species and successful breeding programmes.

Phallon said: “It’s been a great day meeting the school students and learning about the outreach and breeding programmes here.

“When I first signed at United, one of the first questions I asked was about community outreach. Right away, the Foundation got me straight into the classroom and speaking to the students, which has been so rewarding.

“As professional athletes, we want to give back so we can inspire the next professional footballer or next conservationist.”

Chester Zoo is passionate about creating and nurturing conservationists of the future, engaging with almost 130,000 school pupils a year who visit the zoo to learn about conservation.

Naiara Dunn, Chester Zoo’s schools engagement assistant manager, said: “As a conservation and education charity, engaging children in important topics such as the illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss and what Chester Zoo is doing to protect animals and their homes is an important part of our charitable mission.

“Phallon’s passion for wildlife and conservation is truly infectious and has been a huge support in the education tour.”

Eco Reds is the Foundation’s environmental and sustainability

programme, engaging over 400 participants across partner primary, secondary and SEN schools and community projects.

Eco Reds was made possible by the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association Players’ Fund.

Administered through the Premier League Foundation, the funding helps football clubs to tackle inequality and respond to local challenges, supporting people and communities to be more inclusive.

For more, visit mufoundation.org

FRONTLINE

SIX

YEARS ON FROM LINING UP IN HER LAST MANCHESTER DERBY, FORMER UNITED AND CITY DEFENDER ABBIE McMANUS SHARES HER THOUGHTS ON TODAY’S BIG CLASH - WHILE TELLING US ALL ABOUT HER EXCITING CAREER CHANGE...

“Derby day? I’ll be supporting... Manchester!” says a somewhat diplomatic Abbie McManus, as we enquire about her allegiances ahead of today’s massive WSL fixture at Old Trafford.

To be fair to the 33-year-old former defender, if anyone’s entitled to sit on the fence, it’s her. While others have lined up for both United and City –namely Alex Greenwood, Ella Toone, Jane Ross, Aoife Mannion, Nikita Parris, Jess Park and Grace Clinton – Prestwich-born Abbie grew up as a proud Red and would go on to spend two years with us between 2019-21, but not before achieving immense success with City across 174 appearances and 10 campaigns.

We’re chatting on the phone on a Monday afternoon, and we’ve got lots of questions, which Abbie says she is more than happy to answer – “as long as the alarm doesn’t go off”. And we’re not talking about the gentle electronic ripple of a smartphone here, but rather the brassy clang of the fire station bells.

That’s because since retiring from the game in September 2023, eight months after breaking her leg while at Leicester City, Abbie’s working life has taken her in a rather left-field direction, with her training as a firefighter for Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service. A lesser-seen career path for retired footballers, certainly, but as Abbie tells us, for her it made absolute sense. “I miss football massively, don’t get me wrong, but everything I miss about it – the routine, the training, being around people as part of a team, the banter... there’s all of that in the fire service.

“There are so many parallels between what football and this gives me. In football we’d go to hospitals and work in the community. We do all that now, but instead

of representing our football club it’s all about keeping the community safe.”

It’s inspirational to hear Abbie talk so passionately about her new career, and she reveals it’s an ambition she’d long held. “Either joining the police or fire service is something I’ve always wanted,” she says, before adding with a laugh: “Then I came to realise the police was too much paperwork for my liking!”

McManus admits her career change would have preferably come at a later age than 30, were it not for some wretched luck, after an awkward landing while competing for the ball during Leicester’s League Cup win against Sunderland in early 2023 left her with a serious leg fracture. “I tried for a while at come back to full fitness but after speaking to the surgeons I was told I couldn’t play professional football anymore,” she recalls. “That was a bitter pill to swallow but thankfully I can still walk and run. After I had the bad news I had a decision to make. I decided to visit some local fire stations. I researched, I asked some questions, I applied, and I got in”

As those who follow her on Instagram might already be aware, Abbie’s unique post-football story gets even more interesting when another ex-Red is introduced into the mix: Jess Sigsworth. “Obviously Jess and I played at United and Leicester together, and I remember we openly had a conversation at United years ago, saying, ‘We’ll join the fire

service one day!’ as it’s something we were both interested in. So a while after I got in, I spoke to Jess privately. She said she’d had enough of football and could I help her. She asked me questions and I explained the routine, how it was quite like being a footballer – you go in, have breakfast together, train, have lunch, service your kit... similar to what we’d do as players. Even working night shifts, I told her it’s like an away day – that’s how I relate it anyway, doing our drills and spending the night here [in the station].”

While Abbie is based in Rochdale when on duty, and Jess is 15 miles along the M62 in Farnworth, the former team-mates did end up working together one night, with the events of that shift providing a glimpse of the myriad challenges firefighters have to deal with.

“How it works is that if someone rings in sick you might have different calls, and I got sent to her station in Farnworth. We turned out to a job together where a deer was stuck in somebody’s railing. It was night so the deer hadn’t seen the railing, had tried to run through it, and its hips got stuck. Thankfully we managed to free the deer and it ran off into the distance happy. We do turn up for some mad things!”

With Abbie and Jess leading the way, who knows, maybe other ex-footballers will follow suit? Especially when you consider the opportunity to kick a ball with your co-workers remains. “Jess and I still play,” says Abbie, who no doubt holds back on some of the tackles she was so good at while playing competitively. “The team is going to Spain in April, where they’ll play the police, the army... so there’s still football as a part of being a firefighter. The service is supportive of it.”

Such is Abbie’s passion for her new profession, we could no doubt quiz her on it for a lot longer, but conscious as we are of those fire-station bells drowning out our chat, we move the talk on to the meeting of her former clubs here at Old Trafford – a contest she’s looking forward to, having been impressed with both teams’ campaigns to date.

“When my work doesn’t take priority I’ll watch City and United games, and I’ve been doing a bit of comms on both teams this season,” she says. “The ‘swap’ between the clubs has been really interesting. Jess Park has settled in so well; she’s been United’s standout player this season. Grace [Clinton] is probably not getting as many minutes as she’d have liked at City but both are amazing talents.

Kerolin has impressed me most at City, especially her hat-trick against Chelsea. I do think it would be nice to see City win the title after so many years of Chelsea dominating. They deserve it.”

Although McManus grew up as a Red – “It was always United at home because my dad and two brothers were Reds, although my Nana was a Blue” – Abbie’s affection for City is understandable, considering her haul of winner’s medals from her time at the club: one National League North, one WSL, two FA Cups and three League Cups.

“The memories I have from City are literally the best memories of my life,” she tells us. “When I think of our first Conti Cup final win against Arsenal

FLEX THE ABS!

MEMORABLE MCMANUS MOMENTS (PRE-FIREFIGHTING)

1

FIRST TROPHY AT CITY

McManus won the Premier League Northern Division with City in 2012, but it’s her first major trophy that she really cherishes: the 2014 League Cup, when the Blues stunned firm favourites Arsenal at Adams Park (left).

2

ENGLAND DEBUT

The first of her 18 caps came in the 2018 SheBelieves Cup (left) – a competition she’d go on to win in 2019. Three appearances in that year’s World Cup has to be her Lionesses highlight, though, as Phil Neville’s side reached the semi-finals.

3

MAIDEN REDS GOAL

Reaching a major semi-final was something we’d only achieved once before Abbie’s arrival, so her close-range finish against Brighton in the 2019/20 League Cup quarters was an important one – leading the way to a 2-1 win in Leigh.

[in 2014] and Izzy Christiansen heading in Krystle Johnston’s cross, I get goosebumps. The trophy followed us around for the next 12 months, we were such underdogs. And then there was the first league [in 2016], and first FA Cup [in 2017]. Great memories.”

When news broke in the spring of 2018 about the reformation of the Reds, Abbie started to keep a close eye on developments on the other side of town.

“Casey Stoney first rang me when United were still in WSL2 but I politely declined, because I was happy at City, and at the same time I was also fighting for a place in [England’s 2019] World Cup squad. I’m not saying if you play in WSL2 you can’t play for England, but at that time the division wasn’t as competitive as it is now. I know Alex Greenwood did it, but she was more established for England than I was and I didn’t want to risk it [both players did make the Lionesses squad]. But playing for United was something I had in the back of my mind from that point.”

After Stoney’s Reds stormed to the second-tier title, the boss picked up the phone once again. A switch from Blue to Red was confirmed on 1 July 2019, with McManus’s competitive debut for United coming in our inaugural WSL fixture – away to City. “Caroline Weir’s screamer at the Etihad to win it... unreal!” she recalls of that momentous day, in which we lost 0-1.

Her ‘goal’ that never stood in our 2-3 FA Cup loss to City in January 2020 (the ref deeming the ball hadn’t crossed the line) provided another memorable – if painful – link with her old club from her early days at United.

Two months on, Covid restrictions would provide an unwanted backdrop to the rest of Abbie’s time with the Reds – a curtailed campaign, followed by one in which we played just a solitary fixture in front of a crowd.

Indeed, only 18 of Abbie’s 25 United appearances came with supporters in the stands – a tally that saw her chip in with two goals, both in the League Cup, before a January 2021 loan to Spurs, which preceded a permanent move to Leicester that summer.

While there would be no medals to add to her collection throughout her time at United, McManus still harbours positive memories of her time with the club. “We were a proper family,” she says. “We all dug in, and we had such togetherness to help each other.”

New friendships were formed – including that with a certain fellow future firefighter – while she relished the opportunity to reconnect with a team-mate who she’d first met at City. “Ella [Toone] was at City when I was there,” says Abbie. “Unfortunately at the age of 18 she didn’t get a contract. She still had the offer to stay, but I was the first one in her ear saying, ‘you can’t do that, you’re too good’, and obviously look at her now... it was the best decision she ever made.

“Ella and I are close friends, and that’s something I’ll cherish forever. She moved house recently and I was round, helping her drag suitcases into the loft once we’d emptied them!”

As our enjoyable chat draws to a close, we try to push Abbie once again on who she’ll be willing to win in today’s derby, but she’s not biting. It’s clear that both clubs hold a special place in Abbie’s heart, for very different, and understandable reasons. “As I say, I’ll be supporting Manchester,” she reaffirms. “But I might have my ‘Toone’ shirt on though!”

Empowering kindness across our communities

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 and has since been working her way back to fitness.

SQUAD SN APSHOTs

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

3. GABBY GEORGE 4. MAYA LE TISSIER

The versatile defender – capped three times for England – has played as a full-back, as well as centrally this season. She was signed from Everton in 2023.

Our captain is an ever-present in Skinner’s XI, and recently moved into fifth in our all-time appearance record with 130 outings, behind former skipper Katie Zelem (161).

The Swedish defender has had plenty of game-time since her January arrival. Hanna previously played for Hammarby, Atletico Madrid and San Diego Wave.

7. ELLA TOONE 5. HANNA LUNDKVIST

A hip injury has made for a frustration few weeks for our record appearance maker and scorer. She played for City from 2016-18, making nine appearances.

8. JESS PARK

The fleet-footed no.8 has quite the highlights reel from her first term with the Reds – and she added a fifth WSL assist of the season to her name last Saturday.

9. MELVINE MALARD 10. ELISABETH TERLAND 11. LEAH GALTON 12. FRIDOLINA ROLFO

Our current top scorer for ’25/26 is chasing the club record for a campaign, set by Jess Sigsworth in 2018/19 (18 goals). Terland has 10 goals from 48 caps for Norway.

A back issue has kept Leah out in recent weeks, and she’s unlikely to be involved today. Galton was on target at the Eithad last season, as we won 4-2 in a thrilling match.

Malard was our last-action hero against Everton last Saturday, netting her 22nd United goal – the French forward is now ninth on our all-time top goalscorers list.

The Swede made her return from injury against Chelsea in the League Cup final, and has since showed her versatility by playing as full-back rather than in a wide attacking role.

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

Simi has two United goals to her name since the turn of the year, and the Canadian midfielder reached 20 appearances for the Reds this season last Saturday.

The 30-year-old made her 70th appearance for the Reds last Saturday, with 30 of those coming in 2025/26 – the first time she’s ever played 30 games in a season.

19. ELLEN WANGERHEIM

The League Cup final was a sixth Reds start for the forward, who previously played for Hammarby. A minor knock kept her out against Everton last weekend, however.

13. SIMI AWUJO 14. JAYDE RIVIERE

LEA SCHULLER

The German international – who has 55 goals from 84 caps – joined the Reds in late December, and was a second-half sub in last weekend’s win against Everton.

The full-back returned from injury for the League Cup final, only to be back sidelined last weekend. Her pace down the right makes her an additional attacking threat.

JANSSEN

Janssen was replaced at half-time during our draw at West Ham, with it later confirmed as a hamstring issue. It means our no.17 now faces a spell on the sidelines.

20. HINATA MIYAZAWA

Midfielder Miyazawa returned to Manchester this week as an Asian Cup winner, following Japan’s 1-0 victory over hosts Australia last Saturday.

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.

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.

ZIGIOTTI

Zigiotti’s hardly missed a kick this season in the Reds’ midfield, scoring five goals to boot, but a yellow card last weekend means she is to serve a suspension.

TURNER

Millie has impressed in the heart of defence since returning from injury last month. Only Ella Toone has played more games for the Reds than Wilmslow-born Turner.

JOYCE

A commanding presence between the sticks, the New Yorker recently won the SheBelieves Cup with the USA, and she’s been excellent for United once again this season.

MANCHESTER CITY

A decade on from their only Women’s Super League triumph to date – with six runners-up finishes in the years since – Manchester City are within touching distance of the trophy again.

Arsenal’s two games in hand mean the title cannot be won this weekend, no matter what happens here or elsewhere. But those of a City persuasion will be hoping it’s only a matter of time given the lead over second-place United before today is eight points.

So what else has gone right for them this season? Canadian defender Jade Rose has flourished in her first professional campaign, Laura Blindkilde Brown has come of age in midfield, and winter arrival Sam Coffey has quickly settled. It’s also significant that Vivianne Miedema (right) has started all 18 WSL games after battling against injuries in recent years.

RECENT FORM

After an opening-weekend defeat to Chelsea back in September, City’s title challenge has been made possible by the 13 league games in a row they won off the back that early disappointment. Their last three WSL home games alone, including a statement 5-1 annihilation of Chelsea at the start of February, have seen City net 16 times. Leicester were demolished 6-0 on the evening before Valentine’s Day, while City were 5-1 up by half-time against Tottenham last weekend (it finished 5-2). For all that, however, playing away has been a bit of a struggle recently. Andree Jeglertz’s Blues’ haven’t scored in their last two away games, beaten 1-0 by Arsenal at the Emirates last month as City’s marathon winning streak was finally ended, and drawing another blank in a 0-0 stalemate against Aston Villa at Vila Park, a fortnight ago.

WHO TO LOOK OUT FOR...

ABOUT OUR OPPONENTS...

Formed: 1988

Nickname: The Blues

Best achievements: WSL champions 2016; FA Cup winners 2016/17, 2018/19, 2019/20; League Cup winners 2014, 2016, 2018/19, 2021/22

Last season: WSL 4th place, FA Cup semi-finals, League Cup runners-up, UWCL quarter-finals, top scorer (all comps): Khadija Shaw (19)

Record v United: P20 W10 D5 L5 F36 A26

With 18 league goals in 2025/26, Khadija Shaw is on course to become the first three-time WSL Golden Boot winner. The Jamaican striker is already City’s all-time leading scorer with 111 goals, but there is more to ‘Bunny’ than just finding the net. After a hat-trick last weekend, Jeglertz specifically praised her defensive pressing out of possession as being crucial to “setting up other players”. Elsewhere in the City attack, Kerolin (below) has found her feet in a big way in 2026 having taken time to adapt following her arrival in January last year. The Brazilian returned from an injury lay-off in December and has enjoyed a barnstorming run since, scoring six goals in her last six WSL games – including a hat-trick against Chelsea – and firmly establishing herself as a starter on the right flank.

RECENT LINE-UP

v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

the leaders

Experienced coach Andree Jeglertz was announced as City boss shortly before his final match with Denmark at Euro 2025. In 2004, he’d steered Umea to the UEFA Women’s Cup (now the Champions League), followed by two more finals, while dominating in Sweden. Having also led Finland’s national team, Umea for a second time and Linkoping, this job is his first outside the Nordic region. On the pitch, Alex Greenwood became club captain ahead of last season, although she’d already been regularly wearing the armband going back to 2023. The 32-year-old ex-United skipper was originally a left-back until evolving into a ball-playing central defender upon joining City. However, she’s spent most of 2026 so far back on the left, where she excelled with United in 2018/19 as we won the second-tier title.

FACTS & FUNNIES FROM FRED THE RED!

RED & BLUE

THE PLAYERS WHO’VE MADE AN APPEARANCE FOR BOTH CLUBS…

ALEX GREENWOOD

UNITED: 2018-19

CITY: 2020-PRESENT

ABBIE McMANUS

CITY: 2009-13 & 2014-19

UNITED: 2019-21

AOIFE MANNION

CITY: 2019-21

UNITED: 2021-25

JESS PARK

CITY: 2017-25

UNITED: 2025-PRESENT

ELLA TOONE

CITY: 2016-18

UNITED: 2018-PRESENT

JANE ROSS

CITY: 2015-18

UNITED: 2019-21

NIKITA PARRIS

CITY: 2015-19

UNITED: 2022-24

GRACE CLINTON

UNITED: 2022-25

CITY: 2025-PRESENT

OLD TRAFFORD OPPO

GUESS THE RED

WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE

pREVIeW

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

For Reds, all eyes have been on today’s meeting with our crosstown rivals, but the game at Old Trafford is just one third of a derby triple-header in this afternoon’s WSL schedule.

Kicking off the day’s action at midday is a big one at Goodison Park, as Everton host Merseyside rivals Liverpool. The red side of the city will be hoping to stave off the threat of relegation a little, but aside from that there’s not much else riding on the game in WSL terms, with the Toffees beached in mid-table. There’s never any love lost between the clubs though, and with scores to settle after Liverpool knocked the hosts out of the FA Cup at the end of last month, it promises to be an eventful 90 minutes.

Then, a few hours after the derby in M16, Arsenal welcome north London neighbours Tottenham to Emirates Stadium in a 5.30pm kick-off. Aside from the intrigue of that local feud, the game holds plenty of interest from our perspective, as United continue to jostle with the Gunners for a European spot. Spurs aren’t completely out of the picture either, although a fifth-placed finish is looking increasingly likely for Martin Ho’s side.

Moving on to tomorrow (don’t forget to set your clocks forward!), the action gets under way at 12pm with Chelsea v Aston Villa. The Blues are another of our top-three challengers, but the Villans are working up a giant-stopping reputation despite their lower-half position in the league – they beat United in Leigh in November, and have also drawn against both Arsenal (away) and City (at home). Can Natalia Arroyo’s Villans do us a favour tomorrow?

That game at Kingsmeadow kicks off at the same time as West Ham v London City Lionesses – the hosts having proved a stubborn force when we visited their Dagenham home earlier this month.

Brighton’s trip to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester rounds out the weekend’s action tomorrow,

There’s

Spursaren’tcompletely outofthepicture fora europeanspot,although afifth-placedfinish looksincreasinglylikely forMartinHo’sside

with that one kicking off at 3pm. The hosts will be desperate to climb out of last spot – which this year would send them into a play-off with the third-place side in WSL2 for a shot at survival –with Liverpool and West Ham being the two teams above the Foxes heading into the latest matchday.

STATS

AT THE BACK

WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE TABLE, 2025/26

UNITED APPEARANCES & GOALS, 2025/26

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

FULL HOUSE IN THE WSL

Today will see our 19th league game of the season, with only three Reds featuring in all 18 to date: captain Maya Le Tissier, who has started every WSL fixture; Jess Park, who has started 16, while coming off the substitutes’ bench twice; and Julia Zigiotti, who has 15 starts and three sub appearances. Julia’s run will end today, though, due to a suspension.

*

F IXTURES + RESULTS

UNITED AND CITY STAND TOGETHER TO TACKLE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

Manchester United is committed to ensuring that Old Trafford is a welcoming environment for all supporters. At today’s derby, we are teaming up with Manchester City, Greater Manchester Police (GMP), and partners across Greater Manchester in a combined effort to tackle violence against women and girls.

Before kick-off and after the match, supporters can head to the pop-up stalls located by the E32 turnstiles to speak with safeguarding staff from both clubs, GMP, and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), to find out more about recognising the signs of violence, and what to do if you witness it.

Supporters are encouraged to use the Virtual Steward Service to raise any concerns at the stadium. Simply text ACTION to 66777 followed by the stand, row and seat of the offender and the nature of the problem. Please note, this is an anonymised service; you will not be identified at any time.

Today’s pop-up stalls are part of a wider campaign on matchday with GMP, the British Transport Police and TfGM. Representatives from partners will be on hand to speak with fans, answer questions, and signpost to further help. Safeguarding staff from both Manchester United and Manchester City will also be available at the pop-up stalls, and we encourage supporters to visit them to learn about the support we offer.

This follows a similar campaign during the men’s derby fixture back in January 2026.

ADDED-TIME QUIZ

GET YOURSELF A SWEET LATE WINNER BY GOING FOR 10/10?

1 Manchester City today go level with Everton as United’s most frequent opponent but how many times will we have faced them after this game: 17, 19 or 21?

2

In which year was the last WSL meeting between the sides at the Progress With Unity Stadium?

3

Jess Park and Grace Clinton swapped Manchester clubs last summer but which other WSL side have they both played for?

4 Did United’s first home WSL meeting with City end in a win, a draw or a defeat?

5

How many times have the two sides met in all of the domestic cup competitions – the WSL, the FA Cup and the League Cup – within the same season?

6 What was the aggregate score across the four meetings between the clubs last season?

7 What was the final score in Marc Skinner’s first Manchester derby in charge of the Reds: 1-1, 2-2 or 3-3?

8 Hayley Ladd’s United debut came against City, in 2019, but in which year did she play her final game for the Reds?

9

Ella Toone made her WSL debut while playing for Manchester City in which year?

10

Aside from Tooney, which other player – a goalkeeper – joined United’s ‘OG squad’ in 2018/19 directly from City?

UNITED

I WANNA BE ADORED

MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN

MANCHESTER CITY

Head coach Marc Skinner Head coach Andree Jeglertz

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)

Referee Kirsty Dowle

Assistants Sophie Dennington, Ruby Sykes

Fourth official Adewunmi Soneye

Eartha Cumings (GK)

Naomi Layzell

Jade Rose

Alex Greenwood

Grace Clinton

Laura Coombs

Mary Fowler

Khadija Shaw

Vivianne Miedema

Lauren Hemp

Laura Wienroither

Kerolin

Leila Ouahabi

Sam Coffey

Kerstin Casparij

Laura Blindkilde Brown

Aoba Fujino

Sydney Lohmann

Iman Beney

Yui Hasegawa

Rebecca Knaak

Gracie Prior

Aemu Oyama

Ayaka Yamashita (GK)

Khiara Keating (GK)

Katie Startup (GK)

Lily Murphy

Rachael Adedini

Mayzee Davies

Oldroyd