Manchester United were the club that, for 13 years, didn’t care about women’s football. The team they had was disbanded when the Glazers took over in 2005 and it took until 2018 for that decision to be reversed.
But that is in the past and United cannot be accused of not caring anymore. A crowd of 20,241 watched on as Marc Skinner’s side played their first game at Old Trafford in front of fans. A brace from Alessia Russo and a Katie Zelem penalty cancelled out Claire Emslie’s opener to give the Red Devils a 3-1 victory.
From the artwork outside the stadium to the club’s social media posts, United did a fantastic job of promoting this fixture. The interest is clearly there and watching on in the stands was the club’s new CEO Richard Arnold, director of football John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher.
Manchester United women celebrate at full-time following their 3-1 victory over Everton
Fans flocked to see Manchester United women play in front of spectators at Old Trafford
Over 20,000 spectators were in attendance, setting a record for the WSL this season
‘I think women’s football won today,’ Skinner said. ‘I think it shows the growth and the magnitude that, and the impact that, this club can have in growing the game, and that for me is a wonderful thing.
‘This club can be on the world stage to develop our sport. I hope they come to support us at Leigh as well. That’s important that we don’t just stamp it and move on, we have to keep the noise moving.
‘The reality is we’re growing, we have to grow, can we fill Leigh? That is the next challenge.’
The attendance, which is the highest of a WSL match this season, signals that United’s long-term future should be in a stadium closer to the Theatre of Dreams.
Alessia Russo (23) scores the first of her two goals that helped United come from behind to win
Russo is congratulated by her team-mates on their way to a Women’s Super League victory
The club have drawn up plans to renovate and rebuild Old Trafford. They have to make the women’s team part of that project. A new stadium, that could house both them and the academy teams, would be perfect.
It has worked for Manchester City. Their Academy stadium is opposite the Etihad and its central location makes it far more convenient for fans. United’s current home of Leigh Sports Village is 16.7 miles away from Old Trafford, a journey which takes at least an hour by public transport. Tourists who travel to Manchester to watch the men’s side for a 3pm game on a Saturday would be more inclined to take in the women’s game on a Sunday if it was played closer to Old Trafford.
They are much less likely to travel to Leigh. But this is a problem throughout the WSL. Arsenal, Tottenham, Brighton and Aston Villa all play too far away from where most of their core fans are based.
In the short-term, United have to work on selling-out Leigh. ‘It’s a fantastic facility for us, it’s perfect for womens’ football,’ Skinner said. ‘Yes it’s further out, I understand that. I think playing in big stadiums will expose us to better experiences. Do you do it all the time? Maybe not right now, but we continue to work towards that being where we can attract 20,000 people.
Manchester United manager Marc Skinner applauds supporters following the win on Sunday
Katie Zelem fired United ahead from the penalty spot as they came from behind to win
Manchester United’s Martha Thomas has a shot saved by Everton goalkeeper Sandy MacIver
‘I’ve been in America where you’re playing in front of 24,000 and the players can’t hear you. It’s really important we continue to grow. I feel and I hope, I will work towards making that a reality where we can fill a stadium. Why in the future can’t we fill Old Trafford and there be that many fans waiting for us?’
On what was a historic day for United’s women, the most important thing was the result. But Everton threatened to spoil the party when Emslie put them ahead in the fourth minute. The winger was played through by Kenza Dali and kept her cool to fire into the bottom left corner.
The early goal had left the United shell shocked, but they gradually settled down and had a flurry of chances mid-way through the half. First, Martha Thomas hit a first time volley that was well saved by Sandy MacIver before Leah Galton saw an effort blocked by Gabby George.
United’s pressure was finally rewarded when Russo headed in the equaliser in the 35th minute. The forward got above Nathalie Bjorn to meet Ona Battle’s cross and send a looping header over MacIver.
Claire Emslie of Everton nearly ruined the party after giving the visitors the lead early on
Everton players celebrate the strike in the ninth minute but United soon recovered
United’s victory keeps them on course to qualify for the Champions League next season
The hosts started the second half on the front foot and should have taken the lead in the 50th minute. Thomas picked out an unmarked Toone at the back-post, but the forward blazed her shot over the bar. That miss didn’t prove costly, however, as United went ahead three minutes later.
Half-time substitute Lucy Graham tripped Thomas in the box and referee Helen Conley pointed to the spot. United captain Katie Zelem stepped up to fire into the roof of the net as MacIver dived the wrong way.
Thomas thought she had made it 3-1 when she fired in from close range after Maria Thorisdottir’s shot had been saved by MacIver, but the offside flag was raised.
Everton never really looked like getting back into the game and Russo wrapped up the points for United with her second headed goal, meeting Zelem’s corner to make it 3-1 in the 84th minute.
