Man Utd v Chelsea – WSL Matchup
Squad Updates and Starting XIs
Manchester United have made a single alteration in their lineup from the one that started the previous weekend’s victory against Liverpool. Sandberg steps in for leading scorer Malard, who drops to the bench.
The Blues adjust a trio of players in/out of the XI that started the 4-0 win at West Ham. Carpenter takes over from Veerle Buurman in defense, Macario comes in for Jean-François in midfield, and Baltimore claims Thompson’s place in attack. All of the three replaced are substitutes.
Confirmed Team Sheets
Manchester United: Tullis-Joyce, Riviere, Le Tissier, Janssen, Rolfo, Sandberg, Miyazawa, Park, Toone, Zigiotti Olme, Terland.
Subs: Middleton-Patel, Rendell, Blundell, George, Awujo, Ildhusoy, Naalsund, Malard, Williams.
Chelsea: Hampton (GK), Bjorn, Bright, Carpenter, Kaptein, Cuthbert, Walsh, Baltimore, Kaneryd, Macario, Beever-Jones.
Substitutes: Peng, Reiten, Thompson, Buurman, Kerr, Hamano, Jean-Francois, Nusken, Potter.
Build-Up
Just four games in, and already this feels like potentially a decisive fixture. Check out the league positions:
Pos Team P GD Pts 1 Chelsea Women 4 8 12 2 Man Utd Women 4 10 10 3 Man City Women 4 7 9 4 Tottenham Hotspur Women 4 0 9 5 Arsenal Women 4 7 8
Manchester United could take the lead if they win this evening. It won’t be easy, despite home advantage, not least because the visitors haven’t lost in the Women’s Super League since the tail end of the 2023-24 season – and they still managed to win the title. Moreover, Erin Cuthbert and Beever-Jones are currently in impressive form that has them pinging the ball into the top corner.
Yet despite that, United will still have confidence in their ability to end the long unbeaten WSL run of the top side in the league. Partly because their defence is solid – they have allowed just one goal in their first four gamedays – and they’ve got spectacular goals in them as well: step forward Miyazawa, who can launch a howitzer. Since Malard joint top among the top scorers with the aforementioned Aggie Beever-Jones, there’s enough in-form attacking talent on display to make this an exciting match. Should the Football Gods decide into serving up a 0-0, I can only apologise in advance. The match starts at Leigh Sports Village will be at 19:30 BST. It’s on!
