Manchester United's journey to the Women's FA Cup Final

Last year’s winners, Manchester United, have returned to the Women’s FA Cup Final and have every intention of defending their title again this year.

This time last year, the Red Devils had a very different looking team. In goal was Mary Earps, who transferred to Paris St Germain in the summer, and leading the team was former captain Katie Zelem who has since joined Angel City FC in the NWSL. This time around, United will have a much different side competing against their opponents, Chelsea. In goal should be Phallon Tullis-Joyce who has had an incredible season and has stepped into being Manchester United’s first choice goalkeeper. Additionally, now leading the side is 23 year-old Maya Le Tissier who was nominated for Barclays Player of the Season award in the inaugural Women’s Professional Game Awards (though she lost out to Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey). 

Manchester United began their FA Cup campaign with a series of two large wins against West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton, who both play in the FA Women’s National League North, followed by a 3-1 win at home against Sunderland in the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals, they faced off in a fierce away game against their local rivals, Manchester City, where they emerged victorious once again after Grace Clinton and Celin Bizet Ildhusøy slotted a goal each past Kiara Keating. 

Coming up to the final this weekend, the Red Devils have only won one out of their five most recent fixtures, which coincidentally was in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City. Their most recent match against Arsenal eventually ended in a loss, despite a late comeback for United who scored two goals in six minutes to bring the final scoreline up to 4-3. 

After an impressive season in the Women’s Super League where they finished 3rd overall (securing a highly sought after place in the Champions League qualifiers), the Red Devils have proven that they are capable of playing some top class football. However, it is questionable as to how well they will fare against Chelsea this weekend, considering that the Blues have won three of their most recent clashes. 

Tune into BBC One this Sunday at 1:30pm to see how Manchester United’s Women’s FA Cup journey will end!