Manchester United secure all three points on home soil during the opening weekend of the WSL

Manchester United took on West Ham on Saturday 21st of September 2024 at Old Trafford, home of Manchester United. 

Last season, Manchester United won the Women’s FA Cup with a 4-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.  

Manchester United are aiming higher for this Women’s Super League campaign, with the hope of reaching Champions League Qualification.  

West Ham finished 11th last season, whilst Manchester United sat comfortably at 5th. 

Both teams made some incredible signings with incredible talent and skills with the likes of Dominique Janssen and Manchester United’s key forward last season, Melvine Malard, who signed a permanent contract with the club after spending a season long loan during the 23/24 season.  

West Ham have signed, Shelia Zadorsky who was also on a season long loan with West Ham last season. 

Can Manchester United take their first home game win of the WSL campaign? 

STARTING XI:

MANCHESTER UNITED: Tullis-Joyce, Le Tissier, Toone, Clinton, Galton, Riviere, Naalsund, Janssen, Terland, Turner, Geyse 

WEST HAM: Szemik, Tysiak, Ueki, Brynjarsdóttir, Harries, Sáez, Denton, Asseyi, Cooke, Gorry, Mengwen 

KICK OFF: 

Manchester United tried taking the lead early on, however Amber Tysiak for West Ham headed the ball away as a goal line clearance.  

The Red Devils applied pressure early on, but The Hammers managed to defend well and created counter attacking chances where possible. 

Both Goalkeepers were forced into early saves as both teams tried to show strength and technique when creating chances down the wings. 

The Red Devils’ Number 23, Geyse, opened the score line in the 29th minute as she power shot the ball past West Ham United Goalkeeper, Szemik.  

Geyse looked for an option in the middle of the box, however she took the shot herself and it paid off.  

Manchester United produced fantastic counter attacking play, and The Red Devils were dominant in possession, still with 10 minutes to play of the first half.  

With 2 minutes left to play of the first half, Leah Galton doubled The Red Devils lead, Millie Turner finds the pass to Galton, who uses her technical ability to find a space through the defence line to goal.  

Half-Time Analysis: 

A first-half standout player for West Ham was Amber Tysiak, who showed incredible strength within the back line. 

 Despite Manchester United scoring twice, she had made sure The Red Devils didn’t add another to their goal tally.  

For Manchester United, a standout player so far, has been The Goalscorer, Geyse, she showed her ambition and tactical play down the wing to attempt to add another Manchester United goal.  

Geyse had many attempts on goal, however only one of those attempts went in. 

SECOND HALF: 

A half-time substitution came from West Ham United as Brynjarsdóttir makes way for Kristie Mewis.  

15 minutes later, West Ham made two more substitutions as they tried to pull the game back from being two goals down, and get a couple of goals on the board. 

Grace Clinton was awarded an incredible amount of space where she headed the ball past West Ham United’s Goalkeeper, Szemik. 

A special delivery came in from Lisa Naalsund, which Grace Clinton got on the end of, giving Manchester United a third goal and Grace Clinton her Manchester United debut goal. 

Manchester United made their first substitution of Matchday One as debutant Celine Bizet came on replacing goalscorer, Geyse. 

Another substitution came for West Ham United as Vivienne Asseyi makes way for Colombian forward Manuela Paví, who made her debut for the club.  

West Ham pushed on as a free kick was awarded to The Hammers.  

However, The Red Devils applied pressure to the attacking players and the ball was cleared.  

With just over 10 minutes to go, we saw both Rachel Williams and Simi Awujo get their first minutes of the Women’s Super League 2024/25 campaign.  

With Awujo making her debut for Manchester United Women.  

Both Terland and Janssen make way for these players. 

Gabby George also made her first league appearance since her Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury last season.  

Hinata Miyazawa also came on replacing goalscorer, Grace Clinton. 

West Ham United still pushed on to score a goal, as we see Gorry withdrawn and Bergman-Lundin coming on.  

FULL-TIME ANALYSIS:

Both teams held up a physical and tactical fight.  

West Ham United showed strength and resilience whilst trying to score a goal.  

Manchester United held up ambition to score more goals and create more counter attacking chances after their first goal went in.  

Tullis-Joyce, Manchester United Goalkeeper made some incredible saves throughout the match as she made her first league start for Manchester United.  

Tullis-Joyce is set to become a standout player throughout the rest of the Women’s Super League Campaign. 

Who do both teams play next weekend for Matchday Two of the WSL? 

We will see Manchester United take on Everton away. 

 This game will be played at Walton Hall Park, home of Everton Women, on Sunday 29th of September 2024 at 14:00. 

West Ham will take on Liverpool at home.  

This game will be played at Chigwell Construction Stadium, home of West Ham United Women, on Sunday 29th of September at 15:00. 

Featured Image Courtesy of Gabriella Valentine. No changes have been made to the image.