Key events
Suzanne Wrack
“Manchester United sit top of the Women’s Super League, albeit two games in. A 3-1 aggregate win over the Norwegian side Brann on Thursday ensured they escaped the Champions League qualifying stage for the first time. The new signing Jess Park has hit the ground running. Elisabeth Terland has scored two hat-tricks.
“This should be fuelling positivity and hope, but not even the impressive start can cut through the cloud of disillusionment and frustration felt by fans and those watching the club from further afield. Why does this growing apathy exist? Why, even if United beat the European champions, Arsenal, at Leigh Sports Village, will it not go away?”
In case you missed it, the Women’s Champions League draw took place on Friday. We’ve got some fantastic fixtures to look forward to in new-look league phase, with Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea all involved.
Arsenal: OL Lyonnes (h), Bayern Munich (a), Real Madrid (h), Benfica (a), Twente (h), OH Leuven (a).
Chelsea: Barcelona (h), Wolfsburg (a), Roma (h), St Polten (a), Paris FC (h), Twente (a).
Manchester United: OL Lyonnes (h), Wolfsburg (a), Paris Saint-Germain (h), Juventus (a), Valerenga (h), Atlético Madrid (a).
Today’s WSL results
The football world was rocked last night by the tragic news that Matt Beard, the former Liverpool manager, has passed away at the age of 47.
Beard guided Liverpool to back-to-back WSL titles in 2013 and 2014, in his first of two spells in charge of the club. In the second spell, he led them to promotion back to the top flight.
In the wake of the devastating news, today’s match between Aston Villa and Liverpool was postponed.
A minute of silence will take place before today’s match between Manchester United and Arsenal in memory of Beard.
Team news
Manchester United starting line-up: Phallon Tullis-Joyce; Anna Sandberg, Maya Le Tissier (C), Dominique Janssen, Fridolina Rolfö; Julia Zigiotti, Hinata Miyazawa, Ella Toone; Jess Park, Celin Bizet Dønnum, Melvine Malard
Substitutes: Safia Middleton-Patel, Kayla Rendell, Gabby George, Jessica Anderson, Mared Griffiths, Lisa Naalsund, Elisabeth Terland, Rachel Williams
Arsenal starting line-up: Daphne van Domselaar; Emily Fox, Katie Reid, Steph Catley, Katie McCabe; Kim Little (C), Mariona Caldentey; Olivia Smith, Caitlin Foord, Alessia Russo, Stina Blackstenius
Substitutes: Manuela Zinsberger, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Laia Codina, Taylor Hinds, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Victoria Pelova, Frida Maanum, Beth Mead, Chloe Kelly
Preamble
Hello, good afternoon and welcome to coverage of Manchester United v Arsenal. First meets second today at Leigh Sports Village, and for one – or both teams – the perfect start to the campaign will come to an end.
Both teams won their opening two league games, scoring plenty of goals in the process. In recent WSL meetings they have been separated by fine margins, if any, so we’re in for a real treat today.
Kick-off is at 2:50pm BST – join me!
