WSL 2022/23 Preview 8: Manchester United
WSL 2021/22 final position: 4th
Manchester United have made a number of impressive signings this summer, including Adriana Leon from West Ham, Maya Le Tissier from Brighton, Lucia Garcia from Athletic Club Bilbao and Nikita Parris from Arsenal.
How we fared last season
12 September 2021: Leicester City 1 Manchester United 3
Leicester’s first WSL home game saw defeat on Filbert Way as Manchester United’s stars offered up a baptism of fire.
Jonathan Morgan selected an attacking lineup with new signing Jess Sigsworth, making her home debut after a switch from United, supported by Natasha Flint through the middle plus Paige Bailey-Gayle and Lachante Paul on the flanks. United took advantage of the gaps that opened up and Leicester were essentially wide open for much of the game, leading to 33 shots for the visitors.
Ella Toone struck an unstoppable shot into the top corner to open the scoring in the first half. After the break, defender Maria Thorisdottir made it two after Leicester failed to clear a corner.
Abbie McManus, another Leicester player lining up against her former club, reduced the deficit with a header on the hour mark. United hit the post twice before substitute Martha Thomas stabbed in their third to put the game out of sight.
5 March 2022: Manchester United 4 Leicester City 0
Of all the things to seem ‘very Leicester’, conceding two goals direct from a corner in the space of four minutes has to be up there.
Leicester already trailed 2-0 to goals from Martha Thomas and Alessia Russo when, an hour into the game, Katie Zelem whipped two deliveries into the net. Remarkably, Zelem had also scored in this fashion during the previous week’s 4-1 FA Cup quarter-final defeat to their cross-city rivals.
Within a few months, United attackers Toone and Russo, along with goalkeeper Mary Earps, would become household names for their success with the Lionesses.
When we face them this season
Home: 22/23 October 2022
Away: 4/5 March 2023
View from the stands: Marty Hill
How happy were you with Manchester United in the WSL last season?
I think a lot of us were pleasantly surprised. We lost a world class manager ahead of last season and it felt like a step backwards was inevitable.
To maintain 4th and regress by just a handful of points definitely isn’t as bad as I had feared. We were never going to close the gap last season realistically, but the fact that we were able to consolidate despite the chaos leaves us in a pretty good position to move forward now.
What are your expectations for this season and how happy are you with your transfer business?
United have left themselves in a pretty awkward position wherein they essentially have to qualify for the Champions League to avoid a complete squad overhaul. The likes of Alessia Russo and Jackie Groenen are out of contract at the end of the season and are undoubtedly good enough to be playing at the very top level, so the expectation has to be qualifying for Europe.
As for the transfer business, I think it gives us a decent chance of making it. Maya Le Tissier is arguably the most ambitious signing the club has ever made and I’m really looking forward to seeing her develop. Lucia Garcia could be a transformational signing too: she’s an elite shot-creator for herself and her teammates and I think she’ll balance the attack nicely. Garcia, Russo, Leah Galton and Ella Toone could be devastating!
The other additions give us a level of quality behind the starters too which we lacked massively last season — especially Adriana Leon who is in unbelievable form in front of goal. Aissatou Tounkara adds reliability in both availability and performance levels to our CB pool which could make all the difference.
In addition to the Lionesses, which other Manchester United players should we look out for this season?
I’ve spoken a little about the new faces so I’ll mention Leah Galton here.
It’s no secret that she had a really special relationship with Casey Stoney and so I think she was always going to have a quieter campaign in 2021/22. With a year with the new manager under her belt and Lucia Garcia in to stretch the pitch and take some of the creative burden, I think Galton could have a massive year.
We may see Ona Battle moved over to the left more regularly too, which I think would elevate everybody on that side.
Did any Leicester players stand out in our games against you last season?
I remember being impressed by Ashleigh Plumptre’s ability on the ball in the first match. Looking back at the stats now, she hit 4 progressive passes in that match which was the most of any centre-back on the pitch that day. She’s definitely somebody I’d keep an eye on this season.
Lastly, how was Euro 2022 for you?
It was the most enjoyable international tournament I’ve ever experienced. I was at Old Trafford for the opening game and, despite a relatively muted performance that day, you just got the sense that something really special was happening.
Having colleagues asking about the women’s game and overhearing conversations in particularly bloke-y Manchester pubs about how Russo should start over White was something I’ll never forget. Hopefully that sort of thing begins to feel less novel moving forward.
I probably didn’t expect some of the ridiculous scorelines that we got en route to the final, but I did have a lot of faith that the Lionesses would be successful. I’m not sure I’ve ever celebrated a goal like I did when Ella Toone scored in the final.
Follow Marty on Twitter at @martyjhill1