Result: Women’s Player of the Match

Manchester United Women’s forward Melvine Malard has won our Player of the Match poll following Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal.

The majority of supporters voting on ManUtd.com and in the United app selected Malard, following an impactful substitute cameo that saw her come off the bench to net our equaliser.

Former United striker Alessia Russo had given Arsenal the lead at Leigh Sports Village, before Melvine’s second goal of the season ensured we maintained our unbeaten start to 2024/25.

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It was quite the way to return from injury for the French forward, who missed our previous two outings with a hamstring injury sustained in October’s League Cup victory over Liverpool.

Coming on just after the hour mark, with the scoreline at 0-0, our no.9 helped the Reds respond to Russo’s opener, having been tasked with making a difference from the left flank.

Despite that, it was from two corners – one at either end – where Melvine really made her mark on the contest.

In the 82nd minute, Malard was stationed in the right place to deftly flick Rachel Williams’s goalbound connection with Gabby George’s delivery into the Arsenal net, to make it 1-1.

Then, with the last touch of the game following a Gunners’ set piece, the forward appeared to make a vital intervention on Lia Walti’s venomous attempt on goal, glancing it clear of Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s posts seconds before the full-time whistle was sounded by referee Kirsty Dowle.

It is the second season in a row that Malard has come off the bench to score at home to Arsenal, having netted her first WSL goal in the corresponding fixture last term.

On this occasion, the forward’s efforts were recognised with a majority 22 per cent of our Player of the Match vote, ensuring she would finish ahead of the nearest frontrunners.

Ella Toone (19%) and Millie Turner (16%) – BBC’s Player of the Match – were also well-favoured by fans voting in our official poll, ensuring the England pair came second and third respectively.

Thank you to everyone who voted and congratulations to Melvine on claiming the prize for the first time this season.

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