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OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME VOLUME 09 ISSUE 03

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UNITED WOMEN

UNITED WOMEN V WEST HAM UNITED WOMEN SUN 27 SEP 2026 KICK-OFF 1pm

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welcome...

it’s matchday!

WHAT’S INSIDE YOUR OFFICIAL PROGRAMME... 04 THE HEAD COACH 06 THE MATCH

08 THE NUMBERS GAME 11

THE NEWS

THE BIG INTERVIEW

THE BIGGER PICTURE

THE RED ARMY

22 THE OPPOSITION 25 THE FOUNDATION

26 THE KIDS’ DUGOUT

29 THE STATISTICS 34 THE QUIZ MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB

MATCH PROGRAMME TEAM Editor Charlie Ghagan Contributors Mikey Partington, Isaac Stacey Stronge, Sean Mullan, Jamie Spencer, Matt Brown Design Tom Chase, Megan Vickers Photography Poppy Townson, Ash Donelon, Zohaib Alam, Getty, Alamy Thanks to Paul Davies, George McCaffery, Zarah Connolly, John Shiel, Mark Froggatt, Gareth Boyes Printed by MuPrint.com © Manchester United 2026

MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN HONOURS BOARD

WOMEN’S FA CUP

WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

U21 s PGA CUP

2024

2019

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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, John Reece, Robert Nevin Secretary Rebecca Britain Honorary president Martin Edwards

2022

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THE

head coach EVA OLID

THE BOSS REFLECTS ON A POSITIVE WEEK, THANKS THE TRAVELLING SUPPORT AT ARSENAL AND CHALLENGES the game was excellent and the positive mindset the team displayed following HER SIDE TO BUILD ON results was fantastic to see. RECENT PROGRESS AGAINST theItdifficult was also great to see such a busy end in full voice! To those who WEST HAM THIS AFTERNOON... away made the trip to north London, thank

ood afternoon and welcome back to our home here in Leigh as we face West Ham United in the Women’s Super League. Everyone was delighted with the effort and application shown in our Players Cup match against Sheffield United this week. The team produced a performance to be proud of and it was fantastic to see our game plan executed so well. Results like that really help to build confidence within the group. Against Arsenal last weekend, we were ultimately disappointed not to come away with all three points, having come so close to doing so. Our defensive shape throughout

you so much for your fantastic support. All of the players and staff have worked really hard during my time at Manchester United and we are delighted that we are starting to see the results of that dedication. The last two performances need to be the minimum standard we deliver every week going forward. As we welcome Rita Guarino and her West Ham side today, I hope to see us continue building on the progress we are making together. I hope you have a great day and enjoy the game.

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The last two performances need to be the minimum standard we deliver every week going forward

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THE

Match

A FOUR-POINT PREVIEW OF TODAY’S WSL FIXTURE...

Words Mikey Partington

A PLATFORM TO BUILD ON It’s been an encouraging last week or so for Eva Olid’s side, which we’ll look to build on today. Of course, after conceding a 95th-minute equaliser to Arsenal last Saturday, the Reds were disappointed to share the spoils with the Gunners at the Emirates. But after earlier defeats to London City Lionesses and Chelsea, a gritty team display that took something away from another talented opponent – and got us up and running in the WSL – was a confidence-boosting step forward. Olid’s team have since made a successful start to our Subway Players Cup campaign, defeating Sheffield United 10-1 here on Wednesday night, and now return to Leigh looking to keep that momentum rolling with a first league win. It would be the perfect way to move into another important week, with a midweek cup trip to Durham and next Saturday’s league visit from Liverpool to come before we take a short pause for the October internationals.

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Olid will be looking to carry the positivity into next week’s fixtures

Janssen grabbed the headlines when today’s teams last met here

FOCUSING ON THE HAMMERS

A repeat of the result in last term’s corresponding fixture would do nicely for the Reds this lunchtime. Elisabeth Terland’s 10th goal of the 2025/26 campaign and an epic free-kick from Dominique Janssen – either side of Shekiera Martinez, who has since departed West Ham for Spurs, equalising with an impressive acrobatic effort – ensured we secured all three points with a 2-1 win here in Leigh. Today, we go in search of a 10th victory over the Irons, but the Londoners have proved they can be a stern opponent in recent history. The aforementioned contest was finely poised before Janssen’s set-piece attempt in the last 20 minutes, and March’s reverse meeting ended 0-0, for the second successive season. A moment or two of real quality – hopefully from a player in red – could prove to be the difference today.

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THE match

dgdgdg

Katie Leigh Zelem (to use her full name!) is all set for a return to WN7 today

ZELEM’S BACK AT HER OLD HOME Former United skipper Katie Zelem is likely to be leading out the visitors this afternoon, on what would be her first appearance back in Leigh since bidding a fond farewell to the Reds, just over a month after captaining us to FA Cup glory in May 2024. Zelem has since represented Angel City in Los Angeles and continued her WSL career at London City Lionesses, before joining West Ham on an initial loan in the second half of last season. Katie was in the London City and West Ham XIs that hosted United in 2025/26 and, after completing a permanent transfer to the latter over the summer, could make a return to her old stomping ground today. If fit and selected to play, she’ll be doing so with the armband, after being appointed West Ham’s new captain by head coach Rita Guarino, who our former no.10 previously worked with at Juventus. Estelle Cascarino, Ebony Salmon and Sienna Wareing, also formerly of United, could feature for the visitors too, in what is the 15th meeting between the two teams.

MEDINA MAKING A REAL IMPACT Summer signing (and today’s cover star) Andrea Medina will hope to continue her strong start to life at United today. It was a real shame to see the defender’s all-action display against Chelsea cut short on our last league outing here, after she appeared to pick up a knock. Fortunately though, the Spaniard has since been back in action. Medina won the WSL Player of the Match award for her contribution to our solid defensive display at Arsenal and her numbers so far this season show the early impact she is having for the Reds. Among players across the WSL, no one made more interceptions than Andrea’s 11 in the first three match-rounds, while only four players – including team-mate Hinata Miyazawa – put in more than Medi’s 11 tackles. The 22-year-old, who has quickly become a fan favourite for her heart-on-the-sleeve style of play and energetic personality, is ranked joint-fourth in the WSL for clearances – Maya Le Tissier is one of the three that registered more – and inside the top 10 for most ground duels won. Strong stats!

Andrea has started her Reds career in an impressive manner

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THE

NUMBERS GAME SOME KEY FIGURES TO PONDER AHEAD OF KICK-OFF...

WEDNESDAY’S 10-1 ROUT WAS THE 3rd BIGGEST WIN IN OUR HISTORY The only victories by a bigger margin are 12-0 away to Aston Villa (our first-ever league game, on 9 Sep 2018), and an 11-1 win at home to Leicester in the League Cup, on 21 Nov 2019. What links the three games? Ella Toone, who scored in them all – including five in the win v the Foxes.

1379 DAYS SINCE MAYA LE TISSIER DIDN’T START A GAME FOR UNITED

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That was against Sheffield United on 18 Dec 2022. There was speculation that she might be rested for Wednesday’s game against the same opponents, but her place in the XI means the record rolls on...

30 UNITED ARE UNBEATEN IN OUR LAST 30 WSL GAMES WHEN SCORING FIRST We’ve won 26 and drawn four of those games, dating back to December 2023, when we lost 2-1 to Liverpool in Leigh, despite Toone opening the scoring.

19-1 AGGREGATE SCORE IN THE REDS’ FAVOUR IN OUR LAST SIX WSL HOME GAMES AGAINST WEST HAM Two of those games were played at Old Trafford, with four taking place here in Leigh.

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the news

U20s WORLD CUP RETURN

THE WOMEN WHO PAVED THE WAY New book celebrates pioneering players If, like so many matchgoers, you enjoy a read of the Barmy Article fanzine, you’ll have seen first-hand the depth of research its editor, Andy Slater, has amassed on Manchester United Ladies, the amateur side that existed in the decades before our professional side was formed in summer 2018. Donna Douglas, Ali Newton, Georgina Duncan, Michelle Wilcock, Maria Archondogeorge and Maggie Payne are six of those who represented the Reds during that era, and Andy has published a short book, The Women of Manchester United Ladies, in which he uses the players’ recollections to tell a more

complete story of the amateur Reds – a time when players paid their own way, kicked a ball on quagmire pitches and wore the same kit for years on end. Yet they all loved it. The chance to say, ‘I play for United’ brought immense pride to them all, while the growth of the team led to training sessions at The Cliff and, for a lucky few, the opportunity to compete for a trophy on the hallowed turf of Wembley Stadium. Their memories make for a fascinating read in this 32-page book. If you’d like to pick up a copy, you can usually find Andy selling the fanzine outside Morrisons on a Leigh matchday, or you can visit barmyarticle.substack.com.

Layla and Lucy with the squad in Poland

AWAY DAYS The Reds have plenty of big-stadium away days on the horizon, including first-time trips to The Valley (18 Oct, v Charlton), Goodison Park (31 Oct, v Everton) and St James’ Park (16 Dec, v Newcastle), with more familiar venues in Villa Park (7 Nov (TBC), v Aston Villa) and St Andrew’s (22 Nov (TBC), v Birmingham) also featuring within that run. Scan the code for ticket info.

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The amateur Reds existed from 1977-2005, winning some unusual trophies along the way!

Commiserations to Layla Drury and Lucy Newell, whose journey at the FIFA Women’s Under-20 World Cup has come to an end. The United duo both featured in England’s last-16 tie against Nigeria, in which the Lionesses lost 3-0. Newell completed the 90 minutes in Bielsko-Biala, Poland, while Drury was introduced as a 75th-minute sub for Lydia Bedford’s side. Their time at the tournament will have been an invaluable experience for both Layla and Lucy, who also played in every group-stage match as England finished second to reach the knockout stages.

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Big interview

CELIN BIZET DONNUM

THE

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Interview Mikey Partington

AS SHE SHARES WHAT A TYPICAL DAY LOOKS LIKE FOR HER RIGHT NOW, CELIN BIZET DONNUM DISCUSSES MOTHERHOOD, LIFE AT CARRINGTON AND HER JOURNEY TOWARDS A REDS RETURN...

Celin, first of all, welcome back to Carrington, and congratulations on the birth of baby Gio! How are you and how is Gio? We’re both doing amazing, to be fair! It’s nice to come back and it’s the same but different, isn’t it? It’s coming here and finally having a day where I spend it training and being social with the girls. It’s different going home to a baby but it’s so nice.

FACTFILE FULL NAME Celin Bizet Donnum DATE OF BIRTH 24 October 2001 PLACE OF BIRTH Frogner i Sorum, Norway POSITION Forward YOUTH CAREER Frogner, Skedsmo SENIOR CAREER 2016 Skedsmo 9 apps, 7 goals 2017-19 Valerenga 2 25 apps, 18 goals 2017-21 Valerenga 87 apps, 11 goals 2019 Grei (loan) 3 apps, 2 goals 2021-22 Paris Saint-Germain 8 apps, 0 goals 2022-24 Tottenham Hotspur 56 apps, 6 goals 2024- Manchester United, 37 apps, 7 goals INTERNATIONAL CAREER 2021- Norway, 31 caps,7 goals

Celin’s United debut came against today’s opponents, at Old Trafford in September 2024

in Norway. But I’ve missed being here with the girls, having a laugh, going on the pitch... like, getting some energy out. I’ve missed the training and the adrenaline and the games. What would you say has been the biggest challenge for you over the last couple of months? I think as an athlete, it’s a bit scary gaining that much weight and obviously being pregnant and then coming back. It’s been nice with the break to be fair, and obviously it’s for a baby, so it’s been like an amazing time with my husband. But it’s very nice to be back as well. Talk us through what a normal day is looking like for you at the moment. Let’s start with the mornings – what do they look like before you get here to Carrington? Mornings are the best! It’s so cute. So, he [Gio] wakes up usually between six to seven and then we spend like 45 minutes in the bed like cuddling a little bit and then I leave around eight for training. Once I’m here, I’ll do breakfast, then gym, then football, gym again maybe, and then I go home and I cuddle more. Obviously, he sleeps loads and eats loads, so it’s almost like I go home, he eats, he sleeps, wakes up again, and then it’s like that on repeat!

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It’s obviously a new chapter in your life. It’s been an incredibly special time for you and your family, but we imagine while you’ve enjoyed that time away with your new little baby, you’ve probably missed things about being here as well. What would you say that you’ve missed the most? Well, it’s been lovely with Gio and my family, relaxing

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Our no.11 has been looking sharp on the training ground, and the Norwegian can’t wait to return to first-team action

How do you spend your drive in? Do you have music on? Is that a way for you to get your focus? I call my husband because he doesn’t live here [Aron plays for Toulouse in France]. So, I tell him how the night was and if Gio slept well or ate well. Usually, I’m on the phone with family, or I’ll have music on. You said before that it’s been nice to be back with the girls at Carrington, but it also must be nice seeing some new faces as well this season… It’s always fun to see new people. I’m very social! But yeah, it’s been so nice seeing the old girls who’ve been there for a long time and obviously meeting the new girls. They’ve been great and I think they’re already like family members in this group.

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What’s usually next then for you – breakfast before the gym, you say? Breakfast first and then gym. Oh, I’m very boring [with breakfast]. Just omelette and some blueberries and strawberries, and boring stuff! Do you have lots of options to choose from? Yeah, there is loads! The food here is so good. The canteen at breakfast is a good chance to catch up with your team-mates. How nice is that time? We speak and we’re yappa yappa all the time! Monica

I did my own pre-season for six to seven weeks but I get loads of energy being with the girls. It’s nice getting to be around them [Jusu Bah], the new girl, we have good conversations in the morning and the girls ask me how my night was, with Gio and everything. We talk a lot. It must be nice to have that time, before going into work mode. We’ve seen you speaking with the canteen staff and coaching staff as well. How important is the ‘team around the team’? They are as important as the players. They put together the training and game plan and it’s important to have a relationship with them. Like I said, I’m very social!

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THE Big Interview So, from breakfast to the gym. We’re chatting now in a quiet gym, but take us into the gym as if the whole squad was here. What’s the vibe like? First it’s about who’s on the music – if it’s good music, it’s good vibes! A lot of people get told off if it’s bad music in the gym, it’s usually not me [who gets told that] though! It’s me, Monica, or Andrea [Medina] on the music. With the gym, it’s like 30-45 minutes, doing some bits. We saw on the way in here that you’ve all got your individual plans. Give us a bit of an insight into how these plans work… It could be an individual plan – it depends on any injuries you have or things you need to work on. It could be individual or you just follow a group thing that’s on the screen sometimes. Then you spend some time on things you want to work on, or you have to work on from the physios. Let’s talk a bit about getting back out onto the grass. How did it feel the first time that you came back? Was it a bit emotional going back out there? Yeah, it was. But I did my own little pre-season for like six to seven weeks, so I was already on the pitch for a

Jusu Bah: she too loves to chat!

while. So, it was emotional in a way because it was a team session, like I hadn’t done that in maybe eight months. So, it was very nice. I get loads of energy being with the girls. It’s very nice coming to the pitch and getting to be around the girls, not like training by myself. So, it was nice being with the staff and the team and having a good session. We got some shots of you with Jess Park in a warm-up where you were both stood around a mannequin and then you had to run one way. How important do you think it is to mix that competitive element with fun as well? Yeah, it’s important. Being around good people and good vibes and combining that with the football. Obviously football is fun and it gets better [when training competitively]. This season we’ve got Eva in as our new head coach. How have you found working with her so far and taking on her ideas? I love the way she wants to play. It’s how I want to play. Having the ball a lot and obviously defending but being more focused on having the ball and attacking football. She’s a lovely person and brings good vibes. She’s always smiling.

Celin’s last start for the Reds came in last September’s draw against Arsenal here in Leigh

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THE Big Interview

Celin has been impressed with Eva’s attacking philosophy

to play will be a special day... emotional, but it will be an amazing feeling coming back onto the pitch

Much like Celin, Andrea enjoys choosing the tunes for the daily gym sessions

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Everyone we speak to says she’s obsessed with football. She loves the game. What would you say you’ve taken from her in these first few weeks that you’ve been able to learn and maybe try and implement into your game? She’s obsessed with having the ball. I love the idea that we want to play from behind and want to build with the midfield, using the wingers and using all of the players. I think it’s a good way to get a little bit of the Spanish technical, tactical bits into England. So yeah, it’s fun. We know the time on the training pitch is really important at the moment under Eva as she settles into her role. Could you speak a little bit about how big these few weeks and few months are, and this season as a whole?

It’s been amazing. I’ve only been in for a week now, so it’s hard for me to tell how it’s been the whole pre-season. But I can tell it’s good vibes coming in and we have an idea of how we want to play, and I think everyone is so energetic on the pitch. You can just tell we have a style now and it’s just [about] building on it and working on it. After a day at training, what are you getting up to then? What’s next when you come off the training pitch? It depends on the day. I usually do some gym and then it’s lunch and then we yappa yappa again and then I go home. Then I will be with Gio and spend the rest of the day with him and cuddle. You’re working towards being back ready to play now. How special do you think it will be to play again, knowing that Gio might be in the stands as well and be able to watch you play? It’s special. It will be a special day. I think it will be emotional, but it will be an amazing feeling coming back onto the pitch, that’s what I’ve done since I was eight. And yeah, having Gio there? I can’t wait.

•

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THE

BIGger PICTURE 25.09.22

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THE BIG PICTURE

That’s how long has passed since this rather busy, dozen-player photo was taken, with our September 2022 visit to West Ham’s Victoria Road home ending in a 2-0 league win for the visiting Reds. And no one is in the thick of the action more than Katie Zelem, the United skipper using her head to snuff out a Hammers attack. Today, Zelem is likely to be wearing the armband for the opposition, with her successor as United skipper, Maya Le Tissier, as well as Irons forward Viviane Asseyi, the only pictured players still at their respective clubs. Indeed, even looking beyond this snapshot of the game, Ella Toone is the only other player involved that day who hasn’t since moved on or gone out on loan, showing just how much things have changed at both clubs in the space of four years. In this particular fixture, it was a tale of domination for United in the opening half, but the Reds had nothing to show for the many chances created. Thankfully, a breakthrough came minutes after the interval, with Lucia Garcia scoring her first goal for the Reds, before Hannah Blundell bagged her maiden United goal to double our advantage. It would be the second of five straight wins to start our 2022/23 WSL campaign, which remains the Reds’ best campaign yet as we finished second, six places ahead of the Hammers.

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FOUR YEARS & TWO DAYS...

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participants supported

community projects

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IN THE

STANDs

↑ Happy birthday Gem and Ali – two season ticket holders since the very start.

← Happy birthday Alison, from Emily.

↑ A big welcome to Violet for her first match – she is here with her best friend Scarlett.

↓ Happy 11th birthday, Alexa. Enjoy your season ticket. Love from Mummy, Daddy, Noah and Lilly.

↑ ‘Absolute euphoria!’ says Ellie of our goal at the Emirates. ‘Ziggi, Ziggi, Ziggi – oi, oi, oi!’

·· ·· ·

← Happy birthday to Abigail Gore, love from Mum and Dad – and a big woof from Oreo!

A big birthday shout-out for season ticket holder Jess Edmondson! Happy birthday, Fi! Hope you have the best day celebrating your 10th birthday at your first United Women match – lots of love, Mum and Dad. Wishing Isabel a happy 16th birthday – she’s here with mum Chantelle. A very happy birthday to Kimmie – her favourite player is Jayde Riviere. Hello, Nieve! She turned 14 on 24 September and is a season ticket holder.

↑ Hello Henry Morgan, whose birthday was yesterday. He’s pictured with his sister and attends every home game.

SEND YOUR PHOTOS & MESSAGES TO: MUWOMENFAMILY@MANUTD.CO.UK

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Your Text Messages

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THE opposition

WEST HAM UNITED

Words Jamie Spencer

The home win over London City gave the Hammers’ season lift-off

Twelve months ago, West Ham were in the midst of a seven-game losing streak at the start of their WSL campaign. While they’ve lost two of their opening three matches this season, a clinical 2-1 win over London City Lionesses a fortnight ago will have boosted belief that the Hammers can improve on last term’s 10th-place finish. Their season-opener came at Spurs, where a brace from ex-Red Kirsty Hanson helped the hosts to a 3-1 win, despite an encouraging start from Rita Guarino’s Irons. Afterwards, skipper Katie Zelem admitted her team needed to be sharper in both boxes. “We couldn’t finish our chances and we conceded two sloppy goals,” reflected the former United captain. Zelem and co responded the following weekend by beating London City at Victoria Road. Despite enjoying less possession and having fewer attempts than their opponents, West Ham led 2-0 shortly after half-time through goals from Kelly Gago, a summer arrival from Everton, and vice-captain Viviane Asseyi. The departure of Shekiera Martinez to Spurs has increased Asseyi’s goalscoring

burden and her two WSL goals already in ’26/27 matches her tally from the whole of last season. Defensively, Guarino praised the “heart” her players showed to fight for “every single detail of the game” and withstand late pressure after London City pulled a goal back after 74 minutes. Consistency is now the challenge. The high of that victory was followed by last Sunday’s 1-0 defeat against Everton, an otherwise even contest cruelly settled by Laia Codina’s 94th-minute own goal. Right-back Nadine Riesen, another of eight summer recruits, later urged her side to be more willing to “cross and shoot” in attacking areas. Riesen has nearly 50 caps for Switzerland and was part of an experienced recruitment drive that continued a strategy first seen in January. France goalkeeper Constance Picaud-Inconnu has arrived as the new no.1, while centre-back Codina brings a trophy haul of 12 honours won with Barcelona, Arsenal and Spain. Yet no signing better embodies that approach than Saki Kumagai (left), the five-time Champions League winner who anchors the midfield.

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THE opposition

The vice-skipper

recent LINE-UP

EVERTON

(HOME, WSL), 20.09.26

PICAUD-INCONNU

RIESEN

PIUBEL

CODINA

CASCARINO BELLOUMOU

KUMAGAI

ZELEM

GAGO

UEKI

ASSEYI

While Katie Zelem is likely to lead the Hammers out today, our legendary former skipper will know she can count on her deputy, Viviane Asseyi, for further on-field leadership. The 32-year-old forward, capped 66 times by France between 2013 and 2023, became just the third player to make 100 appearances for West Ham Women towards the end of last season and has started this term in decent form, scoring in two of her side’s opening three WSL games. Against United, she was also on target with a superb late equaliser at the Hammers’ Chigwell Construction Stadium in March 2024 as the teams drew 1-1.

Substitutes used SALMON, WANDELER

the head coach West Ham’s appointment of Rita Guarino following Rehanne Skinner’s departure last December was a calculated gamble that quickly paid off. Revered in Italy as a former Azzurre striker and four-time Serie A-winning manager, Guarino had never previously worked abroad, but relished the opportunity to move to England and build an “organised, aggressive” side. Fourteen points accrued from 11 league games in the second half of last season comfortably eased any relegation fears and generated positive momentum heading into ’26/27.

Asseyi is closing in on Kate Longhurst’s record for West Ham appearances

Guarino made a quick impact following her December appointment

Formed: 1991 Nickname: The Hammers, The Irons Best achievements: Women’s FA Cup runners-up, 2018/19; WSL 6th place, 2021/22 Last season: WSL 10th place; FA Cup fifth round; League Cup quarter-finals; top scorer (all comps): Shekiera Martinez (10) Record v United: P14 W1 D4 L9 F8 A31

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About THE opponents...

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THE

Fancy a half-time shoot-out against Fred the Red? Read on to find out how young fans can get involved

MATCHDAY MODE: ON! Words Matthew Brown

THE MANY WAYS IN WHICH JUNIOR REDS CAN GET INVOLVED IN MATCHDAY OPPORTUNITIES

Manchester United’s fan engagement team, supported by the club’s Foundation, will continue to enhance matchdays at the Progress With Unity Stadium by delivering a wide range of junior fan activations, supplemented by the Premier League Fans’ Fund. The Foundation is continuing to build and develop the fan initiatives introduced over the

past two seasons, including in 2025/26, when more than 1,000 junior fans took part in pre-match, half-time and post-match opportunities. The Premier League Fans’ Fund will help to support: – Free pre-match football sessions*, which will be available for junior Reds on the MUGA pitch located by The Whistling Wren. Two fans from the MUGA pitch will

get the chance to take a penalty against Fred the Red at half-time! – Opportunities to meet women’s team players, which will continue throughout the season. These matchday opportunities are designed to help participants improve their physical and mental wellbeing and confidence and self-esteem, as well as providing progression routes to education opportunities. Rick McGagh, director of fan engagement said: “Engaging with our fans, especially younger generations, is incredibly important and we are excited to continue and enhance our matchday activations this season. “We have a brilliant fanbase which everyone at the club really values and we want to reward their loyalty by creating even more memorable experiences.” The Foundation’s inclusion manager, Alex Wilson, said: “Working alongside the club, we look forward to providing additional opportunities on a matchday for junior supporters and enhance their experience of visiting the Progress With Unity Stadium. “Utilising the Foundation’s network of partner schools, it will also be fantastic to work in communities local to Leigh and give a new generation of fans their first taste of the feelgood atmosphere that has been generated here.” *Available for WSL home weekend fixtures only

MUW 26/27

FOUNDATION

25 The Foundation.indd 1

24/09/2026 07:54

PUZZ LES AND LAUG HS WITH FRED THE RED…

OUT OF ORDER! 1

PUT EACH TRIO IN THE CORRECT SEQUENCE…

C: 23% M: 100% Y: 100% K: 19%

WHO PLAYED MOST GAMES LAST SEASON? (HIGHEST TO LOWEST) C: 20% M: 93% Y: 85.5% K: 10%

JANSSEN • LE TISSIER • TULLIS-JOYCE

OF THE 3 PLAYER YEAR WINNERS (EARLIEST TO MOST RECENT)

TOONE, PARK, ZELEM

WORE OUR NO.9 SHIRT? 4 WHO (EARLIEST TO MOST RECENT) MALARD • SIGSWORTH • THOMAS

C: 25% M: 83% Y: 70% K: 13.5% C: 0% M: 100% Y: 100% K: 5%

HAVE WE BEATEN 2 WHO MOST OFTEN? (MOST TO LEAST) C: 0% M: 86.5% Y: 74% K: 0%

ASTON VILLA • BRIGHTON • EVERTON

TODAY, WHERE HAVE 5 BEFORE WE PLAYED MOST GAMES? (MOST TO LEAST) AWAY • HOME • NEUTRAL

C: 0% M: 66% Y: 42% K: 0%

WON ALL FIVE MEETINGS WITH FANTASTIC FIVE WE’VE THE HAMMERS HERE IN LEIGH SO FAR! UNITED 2 WEST HAM 1

UNITED 4 WEST HAM 0

UNITED 5 WEST HAM 0

UNITED 3 WEST HAM 0

WSL, 07.12.2025 WSL, 12.11.2023

WSL, 25.03.2023 WSL, 01.05.2022

UNITED 2 WEST HAM 0 26

26-27 West Ham kids.indd 1

LEAGUE CUP, 09.01.2019

24/09/2026 07:56

junior reds

HUNDRED CLUB CAN YOU FILL IN THE BLANKS FOR THE REDS PLAYERS PAST AND PRESENT WHO HAVE WON AT LEAST 100 CAPS FOR THEIR NATIONAL TEAM?

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

DID YOU KNOW

mer manager, T__ _N H__ _H, US A, 181 CAP S OuCar sefory Stoney, also CHR IST EN PRE SS, US A, 155 won 130 caps for! the Lionesses JAN E ROS S, SCOTLA ND, 147 D__ ___ __E J__ ___ N, NET HER LAN DS , 136 JAC KIE GR OEN EN, NET HER LAN DS , 133 AD RIA NA LEO N, CAN ADA, 132 H__ __Y L__ D, WA LES , 115 ALE X GR EEN WO OD , ENG LAN D, 111 FRI DO LIN A ROL FO, SW EDE N, 110 DIA NE CAL DW ELL , REP OF IRE LAN D, 101

CAN YOU SORT THESE CURRENT REDS INTO WHICH OF THESE CLUBS THEY PREVIOUSLY PLAYED FOR? THERE ARE TWO PLAYERS FOR EACH CLUB...

HERE & THERE BAYERN MUNICH

BRIGHTON

HAMMARBY

LE TISSIER

LUNDKVIST

ROLFO

WANGERHEIM

TERLAND

SCHULLER

MUW 26/27

‘ALL THREE’ BONUS! AND FOR AN EXTRA POINT, CAN YOU NAME ANOTHER CURRENT RED WHO PLAYED FOR ALL THREE OF THESE CLUBS BEFORE JOINING UNITED?

Hundred club: 1. Tobin Heath; 4. Dominique Janssen; 7. Hayley Ladd. Here & there: Bayern: Rolfo & Schuller; Brighton: Le Tissier & Terland; Hammerby: Lundkvist & Wangerheim; All three! Zigiotti ANSWERS - Out of order! 1. Le Tissier, Tullis-Joyce, Janssen; 2. Everton, Brighton, Aston Villa; 3. Zelem, Toone, Park; 4. Sigsworth, Thomas, Malard; 5. Home, Away, Neutral;

26-27 West Ham kids.indd 2

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AD jess US 6.indd 1

08/09/2026 22:46

THE

STATISTICS

TABLES AND FIXTURES, PLUS THE LATEST PLAYER STATS OTHER WSL FIXTURES

Team

Pts

Man City

Spurs

Chelsea

London City

Everton

Arsenal

Liverpool

Crystal Palace

-6

West Ham

-2

10 Brighton

-1

11 Aston Villa

-3

12 Birmingham

-4

13 UNITED

-6

14 Charlton

-8

YESTERDAY (SAT 26 SEP) Charlton v Man City (1.30pm) London City v Brighton (5pm) TODAY (SUN 27 SEP) Birmingham v Crystal Palace (2pm) Liverpool v Everton (right) (2pm) Spurs v Aston Villa (2pm) Chelsea v Arsenal (4.30pm)

WSL TOP SCORERS, 2026/27 (Assists in brackets)

Khadija Shaw (Manchester City)

4(1)

Olivia Holdt (Tottenham Hotspur)

3(0)

Vivien Endemann (Liverpool)

2(2)

Victoria Pelova (Tottenham Hotspur)

2(1)

Oceane Hurtre (Birmingham City)

2(1)

Lauren Hemp (Manchester City)

2(0)

Isobel Goodwin (London City)

2(0)

Lauren James (Chelsea)

2(0)

Mary Fowler (Manchester City)

2(0)

Kirsty Hanson (Tottenham Hotspur)

2(0)

Danielle van de Donk (London City Lionesses)

2(0)

Grace Fisk (Liverpool)

2(0)

Viviane Asseyi (West Ham United)

2(0)

Midfielder van de Donk has started the season well at London City

A pair of games were played yesterday to kick off the fourth round of fixtures, including a top-v-bottom battle between Charlton and Manchester City at The Valley. Not too far away in the capital later in the day was London City Lionesses v Brighton. As for today, away from the Progress With Unity stadium there are four other fixtures, three of which kick off at 2pm. Anfield is the venue for the Merseyside derby at that time – Everton have had some good results at Liverpool’s main stadium in recent years, including a 4-1 win in the corresponding fixture last season. Can Scott Phelan’s Toffees build on their good start to 2026/27 with another away win against their big local rivals? Birmingham v Crystal Palace at 2pm pits two of the promoted sides against each other at St Andrew’s. Spurs v Aston Villa completes the 2pm schedule before the small matter of Chelsea v Arsenal Phelan’s Toffees are at at Stamford Bridge Anfield this afternoon at 4.30pm.

MUW 26/27

(Stats up to 25 Sep – Saturday’s fixtures not included)

WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE TABLE, 2026/27

429 3 29 wsl stats.indd 1

24/09/2026 08:15

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Barclays offers banking and credit products to its clients through Barclays Bank UK PLC. Barclays Bank UK PLC is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Registered in England. Registered No. 9740322. WF3118203 GCS-BWSL programme ads_A5.indd 2 25/08/2026 18:23 Registered Office: 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP. AD tuba.indd 1

09/09/2026 07:17

APPEARANCES + GOALS THE PLAYER STATS

UNITED APPEARANCES & GOALS, 2026/27

A NUMERICAL LOOK AT THE SQUAD, PLUS THE INDIVIDUAL RECORDS... PLAYER LEAGUE APP GLS

FA CUP APP GLS

LEAGUE CUP APP GLS

APP

Simi Awujo

TOTAL GLS

1(2)

2(2)

Rebeca Bernal 0(2)

1(2)

Mared Griffiths 0(1)

1(1)

Scarlett Hill 0

0(1)

Dominique Janssen

Monica Jusu Bah 1(1)

2(1)

Maya Le Tissier

Janina Leitzig 0

Hanna Lundkvist

2(1)

3(1)

Andrea Medina 3

Hinata Miyazawa

Jess Park

0(1)

3(1)

Jayde Riviere

Anna Sandberg

2(1)

Lea Schuller

0(3)

1(3)

Jess Simpson 0

Elisabeth Terland

0(1)

3(1)

Ella Toone

Ellen Wangerheim 0

0(1)

Julia Zigiotti

0(1)

3(1)

Phallon Tullis-Joyce

There was much to celebrate on Wednesday, but perhaps the biggest cheer was for Mared Griffiths’s hat-trick. With it, she jumped to the top of our 2026/27 scoring charts, while overall for the Reds the teenager now has five goals from just one start and two (very brief) sub appearances – she was an 81st-minute sub v Wolves in February 2025 (two goals), then an 88th-minute sub away to Arsenal last weekend.

LEAGUE APP GLS

FA CUP APP GLS

LEAGUE CUP APP GLS

UWCL APP GLS

TOTAL APP GLS

Jessica Anderson

0(1)

0(2)

Simi Awujo

7(19)

1(2)

5(3)

4(5)

17(29)

Rebeca Bernal

0(2)

1(2)

Celin Bizet Donnum

20(7)

3(1)

1(2)

2(1)

26(11)

Layla Drury

0(5)

0(2)

0(7)

Mared Griffiths

0(1)

1(2)

Scarlett Hill

0(1)

Dominique Janssen

37(5)

4(2)

5(3)

10(1)

56(11)

Monica Jusu Bah

1(1)

2(1)

Maya Le Tissier

14(2)

138(2)

Janina Leitzig

Hanna Lundkvist

7(7)

2(1)

14(8)

Andrea Medina

Apps

Ella Toone

216

Millie Turner

189

Leah Galton

172

Katie Zelem

161

Maya Le Tissier

140

Mary Earps

125

Hayley Ladd

110

Hannah Blundell

Melvine Malard

Kirsty Hanson

Rachel Williams

ALL-TIME RECORDS: GOALS

Safia Middl’n-Patel

Hinata Miyazawa

42(12)

6(2)

7(1)

14(2)

69(17)

Jess Park

22(3)

3(1)

9(2)

36(6)

Goals

Jayde Riviere

48(6)

5(1)

13(1)

71(8)

Ella Toone

Fridolina Rolfo

11(8)

1(1)

7(2)

19(11)

Leah Galton

Anna Sandberg

19(15)

1(5)

36(20)

Katie Zelem

Lea Schuller

6(8)

1(1)

1(2)

2(1)

10(12)

Lauren James

Jess Simpson

1(1)

Elisabeth Terland

34(7)

4(2)

3(4)

8(1)

49(14)

Alessia Russo

Ella Toone

138(17) 48

17(4)

11(17)

9(3)

175(41) 65

Jessica Sigsworth

Phallon Tullis-Joyce

Nikita Parris

Emma Watson

0(1)

2(1)

Melvine Malard

Ellen Wangerheim

3(5)

1(1)

2(1)

1(1)

7(8)

Rachel Williams

Julia Zigiotti

20(3)

3(1)

11(3)

36(7)

Lucia Garcia

31 app stats (up to Arse).indd 1

MUW 26/27

UNITED CAREER APPEARANCES & GOALS

ALL-TIME RECORDS: GAMES PLAYER

4313

24/09/2026 08:01

Match-by-match statistics

FIXTURES + RESULTS COMP

DATE

OPPOSITION

WSL WSL PC WSL PC WSL

Sat 3 Sun 18 Wed 21 Sun 25 Wed 28 Sat 31

Liverpool (H) 1.30pm Charlton (A) 2pm Liverpool (A) 7pm Man City (H) 6pm Burnley (H) 7pm Everton (A) 12.45pm

WSL WSL PC WSL

Sat 7 Sun 15 Wed 18 Sun 22

Aston Villa (A) 12.30pm Crystal Palace (H) 1pm Everton (H) 7pm Birmingham (A) 2pm

WSL PC WSL

Sun 13 Wed 16 Sat 20

Brighton (H) 1pm Newcastle (A) 7pm Spurs (H) 1pm

WSL FA WSL WSL WSL

Sun 10 16-17 Wed 20 Sun 24 Sun 31

Crystal Palace (A) 2pm Fourth round West Ham (A) 7pm Everton (H) 1pm London City (H) 1pm

WSL WSL FA

Sun 7 Sun 14 20-21

Spurs (A) 2pm Man City (A) 2.30pm Fifth round

WSL WSL FA WSL

Sun 14 Wed 17 20-21 Sun 28

Charlton (H) 1pm Liverpool (A) 7pm Quarter-finals Aston Villa (H) 1pm

WSL FA

Sun 4 10-11

Chelsea (A) 2pm Semi-finals

WSL WSL FA WSL

Sun 2 Sun 9 Sat 15 22/23

Birmingham (H) 1pm Arsenal (H) 1pm Final Brighton (A) TBC

SCORE

ATT

LINE-UP

SEP WSL Fri 4 London City (A) 7pm 1-2 5,402 Tullis-Joyce Riviere Le Tissier Janssen Medina Miyazawa Zigiotti WSL Sun 13 Chelsea (H) 12pm 0-5 4,327 Tullis-Joyce Lundkvist Le Tissier Janssen Medina Miyazawa Zigiotti WSL Sat 19 Arsenal (A) 5.30pm 1-1 29,853 Tullis-Joyce Lundkvist Le Tissier Janssen Sandberg Miyazawa Zigiotti 1 PC Wed 23 Sheffield United (H) 7pm 10-1 1,615 Leitzig Lundkvist Le Tissier 1 • Janssen Simpson 1 Bernal 2 Awujo WSL Sun 27 West Ham (H) 1pm PC Wed 30 Durham (A) 7pm

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR M AY

KEY: WSL – Women’s Super League 32

PC – Subway Players Cup FA – Women’s FA Cup Scorers Bold + own goal Yellow/red card Subs used: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th • Penalty ↑/↓ won/lost on penalties United score listed first and kick-off is UK time. All fixtures subject to change – TV picks confirmed until 1 November.

32-33 season stats (up to SU).indd 1

24/09/2026 07:59

FOLLOW UNITED!

Facebook: manutdwomen

X: @manutdwomen

Match programme contact: MUWomenfamily@manutd.co.uk

YouTube: /ManUtd

Instagram: @manutdwomen

For ticket information visit: ManUtd.com/Tickets

SUBS USED

Park Toone Sandberg Park Toone Jusu Bah Park Awujo Medina Jusu Bah Toone 1 Griffiths 3

Terland Terland Terland Schuller 2

Jusu Bah Sandberg Bernal Hill

REFEREE Awujo 1 Awujo Schuller Wangerheim

Schuller Bernal Griffiths Zigiotti

Lundkvist Schuller – Terland

– – – Park

Emily Heaslip Grace Lowe Abigail Byrne Megan Wilson

MUW 26/27

VISIT: MANUTD.COM/FIXTURES FOR THE LATEST FIXTURES INFORMATION

32-33 season stats (up to SU).indd 2

24/09/2026 07:59

THE

QUIZ

CAN YOU SCORE FULL MARKS IN OUR TEST?

WE TAKE A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE BY RECALLING THE STARTING XI FOR OUR FIRST OLD TRAFFORD FIXTURE, v WEST HAM. HERE’S A POSER ON EACH PLAYER

1 2

Which WSL side did Mary Earps join in the summer?

In which year did Maria Thorisdottir become United’s first-ever January signing?

Amy James-Turner and which other former Red started for Tottenham against United in the 2024 FA Cup final?

In which competition has Ella Toone scored more goals for the Reds: FA Cup or League Cup?

Which player moved from United to Birmingham earlier this year along with fiancée Millie Turner?

Against which team did Lauren James score more goals for United: Everton or Liverpool?

How many seasons did Ona Batlle spend with the Reds?

How many times did Christen Press win the World Cup with the USA?

With which Italian side did Katie Zelem win Serie A in 2017/18?

34 The quiz.indd 1

Lucy Staniforth made her United debut against Brighton in October 2020, but which forward scored their first of 26 goals for the Reds that day?

From which country did Jackie Groenen move when she arrived at United in 2020?

Answers: 1. London City Lionesses; 2. 2021; 3. Martha Thomas; 4. Lisa Naalsund; 5. Three; 6. Juventus; 7. Alessia Russo; 8. Germany; 9. FA Cup (9-8); 10. Everton (4-1); 11. Twice

MUW 26/27

24/09/2026 07:57

TK_26-27_WT.indd 1 AD hini US.indd 1

11/08/2026 10:58 08/09/2026 22:46

2026 27

MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN

WEST HAM UNITED WOMEN

Anna Sandberg 2 Maya Le Tissier 4

1 Constance Picaud-Inconnu (GK) 2 Yu Endo 3 Laia Codina 4 Oona Siren 5 Tuva Hansen 7 Ines Belloumou 8 Saki Kumagai 9 Riko Ueki 10 Katie Zelem 11 Kelly Gago 13 Eva Nystrom 15 Ylinn Tennebo 17 Ebony Salmon 19 Sienna Wareing 20 Viviane Asseyi 22 Nadine Riesen 23 Ffion Morgan 25 Megan Walsh (GK) 26 Niamh Peacock 27 Leila Wandeler 28 Estelle Cascarino 45 Rebekah Dowsett (GK) 77 Seraina Piubel

Hanna Lundkvist 5 Andrea Medina 6 Ella Toone 7 Jess Park 8 Elisabeth Terland 10 Celin Bizet Donnum 11 Fridolina Rolfo 12 Simi Awujo 13 Jayde Riviere 14 Julia Zigiotti 15 Rebeca Bernal 16 Dominique Janssen 17 Ellen Wangerheim 19 Hinata Miyazawa 20 Emma Watson 21 Scarlett Hill 22 Monica Jusu Bah 23 Lea Schuller 24 Janina Leitzig (GK) 25 Jess Simpson 26 Layla Drury 27 Mared Griffiths 36 Jessica Anderson 47 Lucy Newell 55 Phallon Tullis-Joyce (GK) 91

Referee Callum Jones Assistants Daniel Sykes, Matthew Sowerby Fourth official Joe Moss

36 back cover WSL.indd 1

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