Valerenga will always be part of Celin Bizet Donnum’s past, but the Manchester United Women forward is hoping for three points on Wednesday to get the Reds’ UEFA Champions League campaign off to the perfect start.

The Norwegian side provide the opposition at the Progress With Unity Stadium (20:00 BST kick-off), with excitement building ahead of the historic fixture.

Bizet Donnum joined Valerenga in 2017, and completed a domestic Double with them three years later, before spells with Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur, in advance of her switch to United in 2024.

In a wide-ranging interview with the matchday programme for the game, Celin said of her former side: “It’s a city club – loud fans, a lot of duels, a lot of power! Their style, when I was there, was good on the ball, technical players, creating things, and being proactive towards the goal.”

When growing up in Scandinavia, our nimble forward was often pictured wearing a United shirt and admits she is loving the fact that she now represents Marc Skinner’s side, and has the chance to do so on the continental stage.

“Well, at that point I didn’t know there was a women’s team,” she said of the pic. “So I wanted to play on the men’s team [laughs] – that didn’t happen, obviously!

“But I think sometimes you take for granted where you are and, at that point, I never thought I was going to go abroad and play football at Manchester United.

“You buy that shirt as a kid and just think it’s a shirt you have in your drawer, but now it’s massive [to play here]. I was eight at that point or something, and now I’m here now, it’s the biggest thing. So many girls back in Norway want to play at this club and I’m here. I’m very lucky.”

Since getting married to fellow footballer, and now husband, Aron Donnum, earlier this year, the 23-year-old has used the name ‘Bizet Donnum’ on the back of her jersey.

The Norway men’s international is currently with Toulouse in France but emerged on the scene with Valerenga, at the same time his wife was with the club.

“I’m carrying that name with pride,” she explained to us. “It’s a big name in Norway, so carrying that name on the shirt, Donnum, is a big thing from a Valerenga
perspective and in Norway.

“I think more people know that name than my [other] name!”

Want to read the full interview? Celin’s chat with Mikey Partington will be available in the official programme on Wednesday night and is priced at just £3.

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Manchester United’s iconic fan event, ILOVEUNITED, is returning to Jakarta for the first time since 2017 with a full-scale celebration of fandom and a live screening of the club’s Premier League clash against Brighton at Old Trafford on Saturday 25 October.

The event will be hosted at Community Park PIK2, a vibrant venue in Jakarta capable of welcoming up to 6,000 supporters. Doors will open four hours before kick-off, allowing fans to immerse themselves in a festival-style experience of music, entertainment, and interactive activities, culminating in the live match screening.

Supporters will enjoy an extended build-up featuring partner activations, live music, and a special appearance from United legend Nani, who will meet fans and share in the excitement as the Theatre of Dreams comes to life in Jakarta.

Locally relevant talent will also join, adding a unique cultural flavour to the occasion.

A small entrance fee will apply, giving locals access to an even bigger and better ILOVEUNITED experience. Fans will have more time to connect with the club and each other through bespoke activities, pop-up experiences, and branded partner booths, all designed to celebrate the passion and unity of United supporters across Indonesia.

Rick McGagh, director of fan engagement said: “Indonesia has one of the most passionate Manchester United fanbases in the world, and we are delighted to be bringing ILOVEUNITED back to Jakarta. This event is about celebrating that passion and giving our fans the chance to experience an Old Trafford-style matchday atmosphere closer to home.

“With football, music and culture coming together in one place, ILOVEUNITED Jakarta will be an unforgettable experience for every supporter in attendance.”

Fans must apply for tickets online at ManUtd.com/ILoveUnitedJakarta.

General admission tickets will start from Rp 180,000.00 with VIP tickets starting from Rp 1,800,000.00.

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Canon Medical Systems and Manchester United Football Club are pleased to announce a three-year extension of their successful partnership, continuing more than a decade-long collaboration that places advanced diagnostic imaging at the core of elite sports medicine.

The new agreement further strengthens Canon Medical’s role in supporting the health and performance of Manchester United’s men’s, women’s, and Academy players.

Since 2013, Canon Medical has been a key part of daily medical operations at the Club’s Carrington Training Complex, providing cardiac, musculoskeletal (MSK), and general sports medicine imaging.

The extended partnership will see potential upgrades to the existing range of MRI, ultrasound, and healthcare IT systems, as well as the integration of new research-led initiatives.

Research is a key pillar of the renewed agreement, with new research projects proposed across a range of focus areas, including musculoskeletal (MSK) imaging, injury detection and monitoring, and sex-based differences in injury patterns.

The knowledge gained from scanning elite athletes and conducting these studies will not only benefit Manchester United players but will also be applied to real-world clinical practice: helping healthcare professionals improve diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for patients across the wider population.

René Degros, Vice President of Canon Medical Systems Europe, commented: “This extension of our partnership with Manchester United reflects more than a decade of close collaboration and shared commitment to innovation in sports medicine. From cardiac screening to injury rehabilitation, our imaging systems continue to play a vital role in supporting player health and performance. We are proud to work alongside one of the world’s largest football clubs as we further expand our research and clinical focus over the next three years.”

Dr. Gary O’Driscoll, Head of Sports Medicine at Manchester United, said: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with Canon Medical Systems, a collaboration that has been fundamental to advancing the health and performance of our players over the past 12 years. Their cutting-edge imaging technology and shared commitment to research have enabled us to enhance injury prevention, diagnosis, and rehabilitation across our men’s, women’s, and academy teams. This renewed partnership reinforces our dedication to providing the highest standard of care and innovation to support our athletes both on and off the pitch.”

Find out more about Canon Medical Systems here.

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