After the postponement of the Women’s Super League last weekend; Manchester United Women will begin their 2022/23 season as they take on Reading at Leigh Sports Village. The Red Devils will be hoping to achieve Champions League qualification this season. Whilst our opponents seek to improve on their eighth-placed finish last season.
With two fourth-placed finishes in our first two seasons in the WSL; it was perhaps not unexpected that we achieve the same position last season. Marc Skinner’s side ultimately fell short by four points. With our rivals Manchester City gaining third place and Champions League qualification.
Just like last season, the objective for United will be to clinch a top-three finish in the table. It has been a busy summer transfer window with a number of additions being added to the squad in order to achieve this aim. Aissatou Tounkara and Maya Le Tissier have added strength to our defence. Lucia Garcia, Nikita Parris, Rachel Williams, and Adriana Leon bring extra options to our attack. We have also seen a number of departures from the club including Jackie Groenen; who completed her transfer to Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday.
United finished the 2021/22 season with seven consecutive home wins and will be looking to start the campaign on the same foot. A record crowd is expected at Leigh Sports Village with over 6,500 tickets sold.
Manchester United Women Team News
For United, manager Marc Skinner could hand debuts to Maya Le Tissier and Nikita Parris. Whilst Lucia Garcia may have to settle for a place on the bench. Alessia Russo, who was the top goal scorer last season with nine goals will look to be a threat in our attack again this season.
Manchester United’s Women Predicted Lineup
Earps; Le Tissier, Thorisdottir, Turner, Blundell; Zelem, Ladd; Parris, Toone, Galton, and Russo.
Opposition Preview
Reading Women will seek to claim a top-half finish in the WSL this season, after finishing the 2021/22 season in eighth place. Though they would have been happy with their efforts last season, they would probably have thought they could have achieved more given an eight-game unbeaten run in the WSL from October to February.
They claim victories in seven of those matches. However, their form tailed off towards the end of last season when they only picked up three points in their final 10 games. Just like United, Reading have been very active in the transfer market over the summer adding six new signings hoping to enjoy a successful season ahead. Reading will be hoping to begin the season with a win, having not won a game since February 6th.
Reading Women Team News
For our opponents, manager Kelly Chambers could give debuts to new signings Charlie Wellings and Lauren Wade. Grace Moloney will feature in goal with an expected back three of Emma Mukandi, Gemma Evans, and Deanna Cooper. Justine Vanhaevermaet and Sanne Troelsgaard are likely to be the central midfield pairing on Saturday.
Form Guide
Manchester United Women pre-season form: WLW
Reading Women pre-season form: L
Prediction
United will have to be wary of the threat posed by the opposition. There is more than enough quality in the squad to get past Reading, and as a result, come away with an opening day victory and the three points.
Manchester United Women 3-1 Reading Women
