Manchester United Women earned an impressive draw versus Arsenal at the Leigh Sports Village.
First half
The Red Devils were coming off the back of an outstanding 3-0 victory over SK Brann in the Champions League and almost made the perfect start this afternoon.
Maya Le Tissier sent Melvine Malard through on goal but the Frenchwoman’s effort was saved from the right hand side of the box.
United had the majority of the play in the opening minutes and Ella Toone had an effort blocked.
Jess Park has had an impressive start to life in Manchester and almost opened the scoring when her left footed shot from the centre of the box was well saved by Daphne van Domselaar in the Arsenal goal.
The Gunners woke up after 20 minutes and Olivia Smith hit the bar with a fierce effort from outside the box.
The European champions continued to turn the screw and Kim Little’s header just missed the post.
The home side were holding on a bit now and former Red Devil Alessia Russo had a shot blocked well by the United defence.
The visitors finished the half on top with Russo and Smith both having efforts but they couldn’t beat United keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
Second half
The Red Devils started the second half in much better form and Malard had an effort well deflected by the Arsenal defence.
On the hour mark, Ella Toone laid the ball off to Julia Zigiotti but her attempt rose over the crossbar.
The game continued in a bitsy fashion with chances few and far between.
Arsenal’s Chloe Kelly had an effort on 79 minutes but it drifted wide of the right hand post.
United almost secured a stunning victory when Ella Toone was played in but her shot just missed the post and Marc Skinner’s side would have to make do with a point.
Nonetheless, it will go down as a successful week as they secured their place in the Champions League and gained a point against their title rivals.
The Red Devils will next be in action when they travel to Liverpool to play their fierce rivals next Sunday afternoon.
Featured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
