Manchester United 1 - 1 Women - Match Report

Our Gunners were held to a draw away to Manchester United in the Women's Super League, despite a dominant second-half performance. 

Alessia Russo gave us the lead with a first-time finish before Melvine Malard equalised late on to deny us our first victory at the Leigh Sports Village since 2021. 

Leah Williamson returned to the starting XI after missing out against West Ham United last time out, pairing up with Steph Catley at the back.

An explosive start to the game saw both sides applying heavy pressure on the respective backlines, with the hosts earning two early corners.

Our side showed no signs of fatigue after a hectic international break, handling United’s early waves of attack with composure and strength.

Alessia Russo appeared especially energised on her return to her former club, getting a quick shot away, beating Phallon Tullis-Joyce but just going shy of the target.

A few minutes later, Frida Maanum’s relentless press paid off as she poached the ball high and played it to Russo, whose thunderous shot was pushed away for a corner.

We continued to defend resolutely and counter-attack with intent, probing the area with a number of high crosses. Maanum came close with a header from deep and Caitlin Foord’s close-range shot didn’t have enough power on it to beat Tullis-Joyce.

Down the other end, Elizabeth Terland rose for a header and connected well, forcing a good, diving save from Daphne van Domselaar to ensure it remained goalless at half-time. 

We lay siege to the United goal, attacking in wave upon wave but falling short with that all-important final action.

It was inevitable that our breakthrough would come from Russo, linking up perfectly with her former college teammate, Emily Fox. Our right back sped into the box and cut back to our number 23, whose first-time finish slid past the outstretched glove of Tullis-Joyce.

Totally against the run of play, Melvine Malard equalised from a goalmouth scramble after we failed to clear our lines from a corner.

Renee Slegers made a triple substitution near the death, bringing on Rosa Kafaji, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Lina Hurtig as we attempted to regain our lead. Despite late momentum swinging back in our favour and a fantastic strike from Lia Walti just going over the bar, the points were shared on the road. 

Next up for our Gunners is a Friday night under the lights as we take on Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium. 

Arsenal starting XI: Van Domselaar, Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe, Walti, Little (C) (Cooney-Cross, 87), Maanum (Mead, 46), Mariona (Kafaji, 87), Foord (Hurtig, 87), Russo (Blackstenius, 77)

Subs: Zinsberger, Codina, Reid, Kuhl

Manchester United starting XI: Tullis-Joyce, George, Janssen, Turner, Le Tissier (C), Mannion (Riviere, 62), Naalsund (Awujo, 46), Toone (Malard, 62), Clinton, Bizet (Williams, 77), Terland (Geyce, 77)

Subs: Middleton-Patel, Ladd, Miyazawa, Watson