WSL 24/25 | United v Arsenal - 12:30 on Sun 3 Nov

jojojo

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Arsenal have not made a great start to the season - in fact their poor run of form has led to their manager (Jonas Eidevall) leaving. They lost to Chelsea and Bayern, but drew with City. Renee Slegers is the interim manager.

Beth Mead and Alessia Russo have not started the season well, particularly in front of goal - but that won't go on forever.

We've had a decent start to the season but haven't yet faced one of the traditional big three so this is going to be interesting.

The only tickets I see on offer are for north stand (the standing area). I'm not sure if that means the rest of the ground is sold but it would be nice if it does.

Hopefully we'll get updates later in the week about our injury list.

Match is live on BBC2 in the UK and on the WSL YouTube channel in some other countries.
 
This is a major game, possible the most important this season. If we can capitalize on their patchy start, we can inject some belief in out push for third and further frustrate them.

They are a better team woman by woman, and let’s hope they don’t get a new manager bounce. If we can make it a tight game, we have a good chance!
 
Grande said:
This is a major game, possible the most important this season. If we can capitalize on their patchy start, we can inject some belief in out push for third and further frustrate them.

They are a better team woman by woman, and let’s hope they don’t get a new manager bounce. If we can make it a tight game, we have a good chance!
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I'm not sure they are better, player for player, you know. I think it's pretty even now.

Phallon, Maya, Clinton I think would all be in the Arsenal team. Russo's quality, we know, but Terland's goal scoring record is way better (even if it's only happened in the one game so far). Then there's Ella for us, and no Miedama for them.

Quietly confident for this one, though could have done with this one before the opportunity to reset during an international break.
 
AmarilloMike said:
I'm not sure they are better, player for player, you know. I think it's pretty even now.

Phallon, Maya, Clinton I think would all be in the Arsenal team. Russo's quality, we know, but Terland's goal scoring record is way better (even if it's only happened in the one game so far). Then there's Ella for us, and no Miedama for them.

Quietly confident for this one, though could have done with this one before the opportunity to reset during an international break.
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I like your belief in our girls! :)
 
Grande said:
I like your belief in our girls! :)
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I like feeling belief in a Manchester United team, it's very refreshing!

Like many, I came over from a lifetime cheering on the men's team. During the lockdowns of the pandemic, football gave me the only structure I had to the week, so when an ill-advised international break happened in October/November of 2020, I was lost. No interest in England really, outside of tournaments, and then I saw it was the women's Manchester derby that same week. It was on telly somewhere, maybe MUTV? Not sure, can't remember. Anyway, I sat down to watch it thinking "Any United football will do". 2-0 down at half time, we fought back to draw 2-2 and I saw "My United" in that performance. Our team was only a couple of years old at that point, but that fightback was everything I know United to be and I fell in love with the club all over again! I've watched every game since that day.

Once COVID had subsided enough that I was happy attending big crowds I got myself a ticket to LSV, Leicester, 2023, 5-1 win. A month or so later I was a season ticket holder, at Wembley to lose to Chelsea and now I've not missed a home game since and seen us lift the FA Cup against Spurs!

The women's team is a never ending ride of positivity for me and I adore it!
 
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AmarilloMike said:
I like feeling belief in a Manchester United team, it's very refreshing!

Like many, I came over from a lifetime cheering on the men's team. During the lockdowns of the pandemic, football gave me the only structure I had to the week, so when an ill-advised international break happened in October/November of 2020, I was lost. No interest in England really, outside of tournaments, and then I saw it was the women's Manchester derby that same week. It was on telly somewhere, maybe MUTV? Not sure, can't remember. Anyway, I sat down to watch it thinking "Any United football will do". 2-0 down at half time, we fought back to draw 2-2 and I saw "My United" in that performance. Our team was only a couple of years old at that point, but that fightback was everything I know United to be and I fell in love with the club all over again! I've watched every game since that day.

Once COVID had subsided enough that I was happy attending big crowds I got myself a ticket to LSV, Leicester, 2023, 5-1 win. A month or so later I was a season ticket holder, at Wembley to lose to Chelsea and now I've not missed a home game since and seen us lift the FA Cup against Spurs!

The women's team is a never ending ride of positivity for me and I adore it!
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I feel you. For me, following the women’s team is so much of the good things in football I grew up with. In a way it’s also a bit like what FC United of Manchester was about, without having to betray the club in the same move.

Watching Toone and Clinton for me is a bit like watching Robson and Whiteside back in the day. Besides, I have daughters who are into football, so not taking an interest in that half of the club was always a non-starter for me :)
 
Something a bit different. An appeal for donations from the United Foundation that matchgoing fans might be able to support:
 
According to today's press conference with Marc Skinner:
Rivière and Malard have been back in training and should be available.
No new injuries from the internationals.
He didn't mention her, but I don't think Leah Galton is back in full training with the team yet.

Grace Clinton got a mention as someone United want to keep. Hopefully that means we're trying to keep her happy rather than just relying on (next season's) option year on her contract.



If you follow the ticketing link you'll discover that any remaining ticket sales are now being done by LSV.
 
This is a massive opportunity to get one over a major rival and push back for the CL places

Again I'd have loved to go but between grassroots and the Men's game I'll only barely manage to watch it on TV
 
Skinner’s presser:

I AM REALLY PROUD

“It's a strange one that my 100th game rolls around and it's against Arsenal. I was told at the start of the week. I haven't kept those metrics. I feel there's a lot of growth happened in that time. There's been lots of ups and downs, as you'd imagine, as a manager of 100 games. It's the first club I've achieved 100 games for and I'm really proud of that. I'm really proud. I'm really proud to represent Manchester United.

“I'm really proud to represent the fans, the players, obviously the club. It's a big game and regardless it's a great milestone. But I've got to try and win the game on Sunday. That's what I'm here to do. I want to be successful. I want to be here for another 100 games and to do that we've got to win and we've got to win games of football and we've got to win, win trophies and and keep progressing this team. That's what I'm here to do. So although it's a fantastic milestone for me personally, it makes hungrier than I've ever been.”
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WE’RE LOOKING TO TEST OURSELVES

“Arsenal I know have had a kind of a turbulent time but I've watched their performances and there's been somereally good stuff in there. They're an excellent team and it will be a measuring stick of where we're at as well. There is no more [pressure] than usual. We play under pressure almost every game that we play because we want to win games.

“I think Renee Slegers has done a fantastic job. She was there last year with Jonas [Eidevall] as well so she knows that squad inside out. She's got experience herself as a manager. They're in good hands and, until they find the manager that they want, they're in fantastic hands with the coaching staff they've got. Our players will want to go and try and win the game as I'm sure Arsenal's players will as well so hopefully it's a good game. We're looking to test ourselves.”
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WINNING TROPHIES IS IMPORTANT

“It is hugely important - it's part and parcel of our DNA and what our club expect of us is to win our first title. We also have to understand the competition we're against. Every action you make, it has to seep in that you want to win, but also there's a challenge. I'm sure Chelsea is saying the same. I'm sure Arsenal's saying the same. I'm sure Manchester City equally. I'm sure Tottenham, Brighton, Villa, Liverpool are all chasing that. So for us I've just got to make sure I maintain on trying to stay focused on every single game and then see where we go.”
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GOOD OR BAD TIME TO FACE ARSENAL?

“Do you know what? I honestly can only answer that after Sunday. There are things that they're doing really well. I'm sure you've seen it. I think they're playing well. I've seen them play well and they've got some fantastic players. It's a challenge for us. It's a challenge we've got to rise to. I don't think I'm going to deviate from that conversation until after Sunday. We're going to try and give it our best to try and win the game and I'm sure Arsenal do the same. So let's see where we're at after Sunday. But I think it'll be a good measuring stick for where we're at. We've started the season fantastically well but we're going to face a team that could either be wounded and really want to show that or a team that we could hopefully try and take advantage of.”
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INJURY UPDATE

“The players are back in today from international duty so we'll see how they lie. I saw a couple of them this morning, andthey seem in good spirits and it was a good window for usin terms of injury wise as well. Both Melvine Malard and Geyse have been training. They've trained with us this week, so both have been cleared to be involved in the squad. They're both available
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Really looking forward to this one and hopefully a positive result.
Wouldn't play Grace wide. Down the middle. She's key for club and country.
Ella can do a great job playing wide.
Looking forward to every game. Different prospect compared to last season.
 
I find Skinner's press conferences so tediously dull and repetitive.

We will win this.
 
Grande said:
This is a major game, possible the most important this season. If we can capitalize on their patchy start, we can inject some belief in out push for third and further frustrate them.
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I agree. I'm reluctant to use such strong terms so early in the year, but I really think this is a potentially a season-defining match. If our ambitious-but-realistic goal is to finish top three, it sure looks like that will have to be at the expense of Arsenal given that (1) Chelsea are Chelsea and (2) City look ready to challenge Chelsea. (Watching City run circles around Barcelona was truly frightening.) That makes the two matches against Arsenal absolutely crucial, and this time we have them (1) at home and (2) when they appear potentially vulnerable. Of course, Arsenal surely are thinking exactly the same thing, so I'm not sure this existential threat necessarily gives us an edge.

On paper this one looks like a draw to me, but fortunately the matches are played on grass and not on paper. I'm optimistic but nervous as hell.
 
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Well the Leigh sky is grey but there's no rain forecast. The temperature dial is set to autumn (12/13c) and the leaves are falling, but it's not windy.

Could be a perfect day for a football match.
 
Lobster11 said:
I agree. I'm reluctant to use such strong terms so early in the year, but I really think this is a potentially a season-defining match. If our ambitious-but-realistic goal is to finish top three, it sure looks like that will have to be at the expense of Arsenal given that (1) Chelsea are Chelsea and (2) City look ready to challenge Chelsea. (Watching City run circles around Barcelona was truly frightening.) That makes the two matches against Arsenal absolutely crucial, and this time we have them (1) at home and (2) when they appear potentially vulnerable. Of course, Arsenal surely are thinking exactly the same thing, so I'm not sure this existential threat necessarily gives us an edge.

On paper this one looks like a draw to me, but fortunately the matches are played on grass and not on paper. I'm optimistic but nervous as hell.
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Couldn't agree more. It could be a match that kind of determines the direction of the whole season. We were shite against the top 3 last year so a win would give us a lot of confidence going forward. While a draw wouldn't be a disaster by any means, we need to get wins at home against the top teams. Especially Arsenal who have been struggling. A true six-pointer today.
 
jojojo said:
Well the Leigh sky is grey but there's no rain forecast. The temperature dial is set to autumn (12/13c) and the leaves are falling, but it's not windy.

Could be a perfect day for a football match.
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It is definitely grey here, that's for sure!
 
The first impression is that we're going defensive. Not saying it's necessarily a bad thing considering our record against the top 3 last season.
 
top1whoisman said:
The first impression is that we're going defensive. Not saying it's necessarily a bad thing considering our record against the top 3 last season.
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We've got a lot of goals on the bench though!

I'm assuming that MLT is staying as centre back and Mannion well be at fullback. Strong midfield which hopefully will give Toone and Clinton a fair bit of freedom.
 
jojojo said:
We've got a lot of goals on the bench though!

I'm assuming that MLT is staying as centre back and Mannion well be at fullback. Strong midfield which hopefully will give Toone and Clinton a fair bit of freedom.
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Not sure it matters that much with Skinner.

Regarding the bolded part, I hope so, because the danger is that Terland will get isolated. If it's Mannion on the right she'll have a busy afternoon against Foord.
 
Berbaclass said:
Back 5?
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It sort of always is this season? Janssen moves between defensive midfield to slot back between Turner and Le Tissier a lot.

I do wonder about Maya's position - who's got it right, Wiegman or Skinner? Is she best at centre half or right back? Centre for me but she is probably better than Mannion at right back as well.
 
AmarilloMike said:
I do wonder about Maya's position - who's got it right, Wiegman or Skinner? Is she best at centre half or right back? Centre for me but she is probably better than Mannion at right back as well.
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Yeah in a three I don’t mind her on the right but she’s a CB.
 
Regarding Mannion, I remember her having a PotM performance in her comeback against Arsenal a couple of seasons ago. So fingers crossed, I guess.
 
Match is live on BBC2 and BBC streaming in the UK.

Match is also streaming live on the WSL YouTube channel in lots of countries.
 
Decent start from United but arsenal on top at the moment. Goalless after 13 minutes.
 
They said on the comms that Slegers will be in charge for at least the next five games. So the next head coach will either come from the US or Scandinavia. Surely otherwise they would’ve already made their move?
 
We’re defending ok, but just like last season in these games, when we win the ball back, we don’t have enough players high up and the striker gets isolated and more often than not loses the ball. We’re dropping deeper and deeper in our blocks. Wish we showed more courage in our home games.
 
Terland probably had enough time to chest it down and try to finish with her feet there. Good cross again from Bizet.
 
top1whoisman said:
We’re defending ok, but just like last season in these games, when we win the ball back, we don’t have enough players high up and the striker gets isolated and more often than not loses the ball. We’re dropping deeper and deeper in our blocks. Wish we showed more courage in our home games.
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Yeah. We're too willing to backpass from the halfway line. Arsenal are feeding off the way we play.

Great work from Phallon just now.
 
We’re crumbling under the press(ure). Just a matter of time it seems. And Arsenal haven’t even been that good.

We’re too scared to play out from the back and trust our midfield, but hoofing it to Terland who doesn’t have anyone to support her instead.

Hate to be this negative but this is the same bs Skinner served us all of last season.
 
Mannion is also quite a drop in quality compared to Batlle or even Riviere. Decent defender but poor going forward.
 
Hope we get Miyazawa on soon (yeah right). All we have going forward is lumping crosses in and hoping Terland does her thing.
 
top1whoisman said:
We’re crumbling under the press(ure). Just a matter of time it seems. Too scared to play out from the back and trust our midfield, but hoofing it to Terland who doesn’t have anyone to support her instead.

Hate to be this negative but this is the same bs Skinner served us all of last season.
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Frustrating, because in terms of personnel the midfield feel capable of more. Individually they look fine. In terms of how they combine, they're way too far apart most of the time.

0-0 at HT
Bizet looking like our best chance of making chances. Terland too isolated most of the time - not even anyone to lay the ball off to when she does get it.
 
How Mannion ended up being a starter for us even with injuries or not I have no idea. She has been eaten alive for most of the half. And also she does not have the physical ability to run like a jojo up and down the pitch like her role seems to be - she looked spent after 25 minutes and were just lucky to not concede from that flank! And Mannion is already not quick enough as a player to keep up with the highest talent of this league.

Arsenal are a good side though, they were better than City and at least equal to Chelsea when they played them!
 
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