Manchester United and Chelsea meet again after playing an FA WSL Cup semifinal 11 days ago where Casey Stoney's side fell at home 1-0. Revenge will be a topic of discussion in that pre-game locker room talk at Leigh Sports Village Stadium while Chelsea aims to keep its unbeaten FA Women's Super League run going.
The Blues are not leading the table, but they are a point behind league-leaders Manchester City, undefeated, leading in goal differential and have a game in hand. That last sentence was a lot to take in, but it summarizes Chelsea's current state. With Arsenal losing its last two league matches, Emma Hayes has her eyes fixed on a Nick Cushing-less Manchester City for the remaining nine FA WSL matches.
Manchester United, on the other hand, is nowhere near the top three. Fourteen points separate Man Utd and Arsenal despite the Manchester club having two games in hand. Nevertheless, the Red Devils are keen on closing that gap, but first, they need to start defeating those top-3 sides. So far in this campaign, the Reds have failed to defeat Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City. Manchester United showed that they could do it on October 20, 2019, defeating Manchester City at home 2-0 in an FA WSL Cup group stage match and they will aim to do the same with Chelsea on Sunday.
Manchester United vs Chelsea: head-to-head
Man Utd and Chelsea have only met twice before. These two games came in the 2019-2020 season and the Blues have won both by the same scoreline, 1-0.
The first match was on November 17, 2019, at The Cherry Red Records Stadium where 4,790 spectators enjoyed a tight affair that ended up pleasing home fans. The second match came 11 days ago on January 29 and it was a similar match to the first with the only difference being that the home team fell.
Nonetheless, the Red Devils will not only look for their first goal against the Blues but a win that could catapult them closer to the top-3 and make the title race slightly more interesting.
Players to watch
Lauren James – Manchester United
At just 18 years of age, Lauren James has every right to be Manchester United's player to watch. James is the youngest Red Devil in the roster and a big reason as to why it is mostly because of her physical ability, quality on the ball and finishing. She fast when she runs with the ball, great at making runs behind the defense and truly dangerous inside the opposition's box. She has scored two of Man Utd's last three goals in two matches.
Beth England – Chelsea
Surprisingly enough, Beth England only scored two of the eight goals Chelsea put past West Ham last Sunday. Anyhow, England has scored in every league match since November 24, 2019. That equals to 10 goals in seven matches. She won the Player of the Month award in January and rightly so. No player has matched up to the English striker and she will continue scoring unless Manchester United can put a stop on her good form
