Manchester United Women are hoping to make history on Sunday afternoon by claiming their first League Cup trophy as they take on Chelsea in the showpiece final at Ashton Gate Stadium. The Reds will be making their debut in the final, having previously reached three consecutive FA Cup final appearances in the last three years. In another first, Marc Skinner’s side will be hoping to overcome the Blues in a domestic final, having lost out to them in the previous two.
Competing in the Champions League league phase this season meant the Reds entered the League Cup at the quarter-final stage back in December, where they were drawn against Tottenham. We had played Spurs in an entertaining 3-3 draw in the league a week before the cup fixture. Again, the opposition took the lead early in the first half. United responded well in the second half as we imposed ourselves to take on more of the territory, pushing Tottenham further into their own half. The Reds equalised through Jess Park, who has been one of the standout performers in the team this season, having arrived on transfer deadline day from neighbours Manchester City. Friodlina Rolfö grabbed the winner to turn the game around, having already provided the assist for the equaliser.
The semi-finals saw us pitted against Arsenal, with United having to defend deep but also very disciplined against a side that controlled the majority of the possession. The key moment came just before the stroke of half-time when Elisabeth Terland struck the ball with her right foot within the box to give us the lead after United capitalised on the Arsenal defence with their pressing. The second half saw the Reds having to defend even more despite the opposition being down to 10 players. Phallon Tullis-Joyce was called upon several times, making important saves to keep our advantage and secure the victory.
Currently sitting one point above Chelsea in the league, we have met twice already this season. Back in October, we held the Blues to a 1-1 draw at Leigh Sports Village. We then met again only a few weeks ago, but this time in the FA Cup, where United took it all the way to extra time but lost out 2-1 in the end. United’s record against Chelsea is not great reading, having won once against the Blues, which was back in the 2024 FA Cup semi-final. However, the gap between both sides is closing as the Reds have pushed them all the way in recent fixtures.
Manchester United Women’s Team News
For United, we have received a major fitness boost ahead of the final as Fridolina Rolfo is now available for selection after a knock kept the Swedish international out of the last four games, but she managed to get some minutes during the international break for the national side in the fixtures against Italy and Serbia. Jayde Riviere is also back in contention for the final, whilst Anna Sandberg is expected to return in April, possibly for the Tottenham game. Leah Galton and Ella Toone remain out through injury, with the latter hoping to be back for the Manchester derby at the end of the month.
Manchester United Women’s Predicted Lineup
Tullis-Joyce;
Lundkvist, Janssen, Le Tissier, Riviere;
Naalsund, Ziggiotti, Awujo;
Park, Malard, Terland.
Opposition Preview
Chelsea currently sits third in the Women’s Super League table, just one point behind Manchester United. It has been a turbulent campaign for Sonia Bompastor’s side, who have not hit the heights of last season, where they secured a domestic treble. The Blues entered the League Cup at the quarter-finals stage, just like United did, with both competing in the Champions League. They breeze past Liverpool 9-1in a dominant display as they overwhelm the Merseysiders with their attacking prowess and exploit the use of the wide areas, ensuring they could sustain the momentum for long periods during the match.
The semi-final pitted the Blues against rivals Manchester City, who sit top in the league table. This match turned out to be a much tougher affair, as was to be defined by fine margins, with the only goal being scored by Chelsea’s Wieke Kaptein to send them through to the final.
Chelsea Women’s Team News
For Sonia Bompastor’s side, they will be without the Australian duo of Ellie Carpenter and Sam Kerr who are competing in the Asia Cup for the national side. Captain Millie Bright misses out on the final due to injury, though it is thought not to be too serious. Nathalie Bjorn, Niamh Charles, Catarina Macario and Mayra Ramirez have been on the sidelines of late..
Form Guide
Manchester United Women form (all competitions): WWWWL
Chelsea Women form (all competitions): LLWWW
Prediction
United will be seeking redemption after being knocked out of the FA Cup by Chelsea before the international break. The Reds know they will have to be alert at all times when defending the Blues’ attack, but also ensuring they take their chances at the other end of the pitch to hopefully bring home our second major trophy.
Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea
