Opposition watch | Spurs vs Manchester United (Women's Super League)
Sat 09 December 2023, 14:30|
Tottenham Hotspur
It's a huge end to 2023 for Robert Vilahamn's team as we face Manchester United before back-to-back north London derbies in the Conti Cup and then the WSL at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday week (16 December, 12noon UK). First up though, United at Leyton Orient on Sunday (6.45pm UK) - here's a closer look at the Reds...
Form
Title-chasers last season, when they took Chelsea to the final weekend of the WSL season, United were looking in ominous form with 5-0 wins against Everton and West Ham in the WSL, and 7-0 against the Toffees in the Conti Cup, but that run of form came to an end in the Manchester derby, City running out 3-1 winners. That remains United's only loss in the WSL to date and they recovered by beating rivals Liverpool in the Conti Cup and Bristol City away last time out. They sat fourth going into this weekend's fixtures.
Players to watch
United remain strong defensively - they conceded a miserly 12 goals in 22 games in the WSL last season, nine in eight this time around - and a lot of that confidence stems from goalkeeper, Mary Earps. Now one of the biggest names in world football, Earps' displays helped England win Euro 2022, reach the World Cup Final this year and individual accolades have followed - she won the Golden Glove in the World Cup and WSL last season and has been named BBC Women's Footballer of the Year and Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year for 2023. Ella Toone is up to 45 goals in 143 appearances for United, the England striker hit the heights by scoring the opener for the Lionesses in the Euro 22 final against Germany. Brazil international Geyse joined United from Barcelona having won the Champions League last season and look out for in form England international Nikita Parris, eight goals in nine games so far this term.
Manager - Marc Skinner
Marc Skinner certainly made an impact in his first job, leading Birmingham City to the FA Cup Final in 2017 and then to fifth place in the WLS in 2017/18. Indeed, the Blues were fourth when Skinner made the big move to the USA and Orlando Pride in the NWSL. He returned to England and United in 2021/22, taking the Reds to fourth in his first season and then a title charge last term, when they won 17 of 22 matches but that still didn't prove enough to get the better of Chelsea, who took the title by two points having won 19 of their 22. United also reached the FA Cup Final, where they were beaten 1-0 by Chelsea in May.
Last time we met
A tough assignment in May last season, as United were locked in a title chase with Chelsea and we were fighting at the wrong end of the WSL table. United took it 3-0 with Leah Galton and Alessia Russo on target in the first half before Nikita Parris added a third after the break. Thankfully, we beat Reading 4-1 next time out to secure our status - United were pipped to the title by Chelsea.
How to follow
Sunday's match will be televised live by Sky Sports. You can follow the game on our women's social channels - Instagram and X - and minute-by-minute text coverage via our Match Centre here on tottenhamhotspur.com. Match highlights and reaction will also be available via SPURSPLAY and tottenhamhotspur.com.
