New beginnings evident in bright start for United Women as 2024/25 gets underway
Manchester United kicked off the new WSL season with a promising 3-0 win over West Ham at Old Trafford, which included several impressive debuts, different roles, and reinvigorated performances.
Four months is a long time in football and it showed as Manchester United began the new WSL season in impressive fashion on Saturday.
Back in May, a sun-drenched Old Trafford was the setting for one of the most humbling days in the six-year history of the reformed United Women. Not only did players and staff witness first-hand the celebrations as Chelsea lifted the WSL trophy at the Theatre of Dreams, having slumped to a worst ever top flight placing, the 6-0 score-line was also a record defeat.
Whether a consequence of an FA Cup hangover a week earlier, the physical and psychological burnout from a challenging season, or simply Chelsea’s determination to pip Manchester City to the finish line, United were absolutely no match for the Blues that day.
Even with the highs of victory at Wembley fresh in the memory, it was jarring to say the least and the summer began on a bit of a downer that further spiralled amid the wider negative reaction to the departures of Mary Earps, Katie Zelem and Lucia Garcia.
Earps reasoned that United were entering a period of transition that she couldn’t afford to ride out. While her loss was perceived by many as a bitter blow, largely due to her snowballing popularity of recent years, Mary was probably right in her assessment.
Plenty worried about how senior players would be replaced and what it might represent. But what the summer provided was the opportunity for a refresh.
United are now indeed at the beginning of the next chapter, which was fully evident as another sunny day at Old Trafford, now into September and a brand-new campaign, delivered something wholly different than the Women’s last experience of the stadium.
Only five players that started against Chelsea at the conclusion of 2023/24 were in the XI for the visit of West Ham as 2024/25 kicked off. One who did, Ella Toone, had a different role.
What was telling about Saturday’s 3-0 win against the Hammers, wrapped up within a few minutes of the second half getting underway, was how many new factors were at play.
From the beginning, Marc Skinner handed United debuts to summer signings Dominique Janssen and Elisabeth Terland. Both really impressed as soon as the first whistle sounded.
Although generally known as a centre-back, Janssen immediately demonstrated her often talked about versatility by lining up as a defensive midfielder. In that No.6 role, she protected the back four, strangling West Ham’s creativity through the centre of the pitch, an imposing authority figure. The Dutch international, United’s only new face over the age of 23, was also constantly making herself available to receive the ball and relieve teammates being pressed. It’s little wonder she’s been so highly regarded behind the scenes during her short time at the club so far.
Terland had claims for a penalty dismissed in the first half and saw a header cleared off the line. She seemed comfortable linking up play with her back to goal and also running behind the West Ham defence. There were no goals from the Norwegian, but her performance combined with the fact that she scored 13 times for a Brighton side that otherwise struggled to create, is grounds for optimism.
Even though Grace Clinton has been a United player for two years, it was also her competitive debut for the club. This is where the last 18 months on loan at Bristol City and Tottenham, developing all the time, has been justified. Clinton looked an accomplished pro in midfield, fulfilling the all-action box-to-box role that has been asked of her this season. She was tenacious and hard-working, as well as intelligent and classy, the low socks even provided the added touch of making it look effortless. There was promising link up with Geyse on the right, often looking for the Brazilian and willing to then run beyond her towards to stretch the opponent. The occasion was even marked with a goal, ghosting into the box unmarked to convert a glancing header. Clinton wanted to add goals to her game this season and has made the perfect start in that respect.
Then there was Geyse herself, who finished second to Clinton in the club’s Player of the Match fan poll. This is her second year at United, but one in which supporters should start seeing more of her consistent best after settling into what was most likely a culture shock on and off the pitch upon last summer’s arrival. It wasn’t solely the opening goal of the game that caught the eye, chasing down a long pass into her right channel, winning it from a West Ham defender through strength and persistence, and finishing with composure from close range, but the repeated threat and the overhead kick off the bar. Skinner summed it up when he said: “She’s now in a place where she is smiling. If we have a Geyse who is smiling we’re going to have a Geyse who is deadly.”
In goal, Phallon Tullis-Joyce made her WSL debut, now stepping up into the No.1 position this season. The family made the trip over from the United States to see the game, her mum proudly donning this season’s striking purple and green goalkeeper jersey in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand. Simi Awujo got whoops and cheers from her family when she entered the game from the bench for her debut. Celin Bizet was the other United debutant for the afternoon to further highlight new-found depth.
For Maya Le Tissier, this was a momentous occasion, her first time leading out the team as captain. For it to be at Old Trafford, of all places, made it doubly special. Again, her family were there to see it, so proud it looked as they could burst and straining their necks just to catch the very first glimpse of her coming out from the tunnel. She gave a wave up the stand as the teams walked by.
Leah Galton at left-back wasn’t purely a product of Hannah Blundell sitting out the season while she is pregnant, or Anna Sandberg absent because of a late knock. It is something that has been worked on during the summer to provide more options for different tactical setups. In this game, it was as part of a conventional back four, but could potentially flank a centre-back trio as a wing-back. Galton pushed high and her background as a winger shone through, with a goal and numerous crosses. And with Clinton and Janssen coming into the midfield, Ella Toone was given the freedom to play from the left but drift. It was an emotional day for her, a first game since the passing of her father, Nick. She didn’t get that elusive Old Trafford goal, but “promises” she will do it for her dad.
It might only be West Ham. It might only be the first game of the season. And it would be naïve to suggest there isn’t still plenty of room for improvement. But given the nature of May’s visit to Old Trafford and the narrative that surrounded United during the summer, these new beginnings are already laying the foundations for what is now a promising season to come.