Match Review: Manchester United Women 2-0 Leicester City Women
The girls keep winning, and flying the flag for United.
It's seven league wins in a row for United, but don't worry, I'll still find time to call Marc Skinner a shit below.
United were without Elisabeth Terland, Jayde Riviere, Simi Awujo and Anna Sandberg for the tie against Leicester, but that didn't stop the Reds from marching on.
Aoife Mannion took over RB duties, Grace Clinton in the deeper 8 role in midfield alongside Dom Janssen, and Melvine Malard in the no9 spot (and tbf, she is the no9).
Malard stepped up into the centre-forward duties admirably, handing United the lead after 19 minutes with a fabulous bit of striker nous. After handling a strong attack from Leicester, a through-ball from Maya Le Tissier to Ella Toone, who then spun 180 and did the same again, put Malard through and in a foot race with compatriot Julie Thibaud. Malard won the race, and then faked a shot to force Janina Leitzig into a dive which allowed Melvine to round her and side foot home. Pace, technique, but most importantly intelligence - top stuff.
Gabby George would soon after have a semi-close attempt on goal from a free kick, floated a little too high over the bar, but while she was a maybe, Leah Galton is inevitable. Not wanting to miss out, the winger was on the end of a great through-ball from Malard to just about sneak a touch past Leitzig for 2-0, but it was notably poor from Catherine Bott in marking her and Missy Goodwin before that whose poor control gifted United the ball back high in City's half.
Leicester did have chances late on, and what was worrying was the absence of Mannion in her correct spot (admittedly she had roamed high) for one of the Leicester attacks, and later a cross that flashed across the box and an unsuspecting Gabby George - fully ball-watching - nearly conceded at the back post.
Fatigue does happen though, so chances will appear, but overall United kept them few and far between. Better is needed though if United are to remain in second place, let alone to close the gap on leaders Chelsea.
Now, about Marc Skinner - why use only three subs? Why not bring on some youth? Silly sod. Mared Griffiths the birthday girl was ready and waiting, and she scored two versus Wolves in the FA Cup. At 2-0 up, with Hini, Rach W, and Geyse on, why not throw her into the mix for Tooney or Grace?
One extra addendum: Geyse. There was talk recently that Geyse, due to the death of her brother, would likely be loaned to a US or Mexican league side. As a Brazilian and wanting to be nearer home and family... this made sense. It also made sense why we were chasing Chloe Kelly.
Fast-forward to the weekend just gone and Geyse posted the above on Instagram about her current loneliness, and referred to feeling cast out. The news then broke that actually United had been looking to loan her - rather than her seeking an exit herself.
Perhaps she hasn't set the world alight like some people had hoped, but she's the biggest flair element in the United team and honestly, we should treat players better than this. Chloe Kelly isn't worth being a shit to a grieving player, and it's outrageous that we'd force someone out in this alleged manner. The problem is that we've done it to so many now. Guerrero crying, Garcia just not offered a deal, Groenen, Vilde Bøe Risa offered out similarly without being told prior... it stinks. Do better or get jeered.
Anyway, rant over. Next up is another FA Cup tie - this time hosting Sunderland at LSV in the quarter-finals. The men couldn't defend their trophy, can the women? Here's hoping.
