United 2-0 Liverpool: Squad depth on show in League Cup opening win
There were eight changes to the starting lineup for the visit of Liverpool to Leigh Sports Village in the Women's League Cup.
Another win, another clean sheet, playing time extended throughout the squad, and an improvement from the weekend’s performance. Manchester United can be satisfied with a job well done this midweek.
Changes were expected from the team that faced Everton in the WSL a few days earlier, although there was uncertainty as to how many given that the weekend fixture against Chelsea scheduled for Sunday was postponed at short notice due to the Blues’ Champions League commitments.
In the end, Marc Skinner brought eight players into the lineup, with only goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, and centre-backs Maya Le Tissier and Millie Turner retained. Ella Toone was absent to attend her father’s funeral, although the team celebrated goals with ‘T’ gestures in solidarity.
It meant first starts of the season for Gabby George, Melvine Malard, Hinata Miyazawa, Hayley Ladd and Aoife Mannion, as well as full United debuts for Celin Bizet and Simi Awujo. Malard and Rachel Williams each got off the mark for the season in the 2-0 win, making it five different goalscorers already.
In total, 19 players have been used across three games so far and all 19 have started at least once. Sadly, injury has ruled out Anna Sandberg and Emma Watson.
United dominated the ball, had more than twice as many shots as Liverpool and scored two of the three that were on target. Conversely, Liverpool didn’t manage one on target to test Tullis-Joyce.
It was a heavily rotated Liverpool side too. Matt Beard prioritised the WSL over the League Cup last season, which resulted in his team crashing out with a whimper. But, to his credit, the gamble paid off given that the Merseysiders displaced United in the top four of the final league standings.
Given that their league campaign has started with two frustrating 1-1 draws against opponents they expected to beat and that pressure to win their weekend fixture against Tottenham is now growing, it hardly came as a surprise to see Beard make nine changes to keep his starters fresh.
As a direct comparison, what it shows is that United’s squad depth is significantly stronger.
Although Everton was a slight struggle in difficult weather, United are winning games and the players, particularly those new to the club, seem optimistic.
“I think this season is going to be good for us and I think everyone’s just really excited about what to come,” were Awujo’s comments after playing 71 minutes.
Bizet already looks at home too, but she puts that down to a couple of factors.
“Just coming in has been so easy,” the Norwegian explained. I think knowing, Grace [Clinton], Lisa ]Naalsund] and [Elisabeth] Terland, it’s been easy for me to come into the group and obviously I played against United [for Tottenham], I know how they play.”
Next up is Tottenham at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday 13 October.