Manchester United Women welcomed Leicester City to the Leigh Sports Village in the opening match of the Women’s Super League season.
First half
The Red Devils got off to a fast start and pulled off a lovely move that almost opened the scoring within two minutes.
Anna Sandberg and Melvine Malard combined down the left before the ball was turned across goal for Elisabeth Terland. Unfortunately, she was inches from converting her fifth of the season after her Champions League heroics.
Celin Bizet beat her opponent and dropped the ball off to Ella Toone just outside the box but her volley headed wide.
United kept up the pressure and almost got themselves ahead. Malard slipped the ball into Toone on the edge of the box and the English international tried to slot the ball under Leicester keeper Janina Leitzig but she somehow managed to keep out the strike.
The Leicester defence finally caved after 13 minutes when Toone opened her account for the season.
The dangerous Malard combined well with Terland who found the academy product in space. She made no mistake this time, side footing the ball into the back of the net.
Now Marc Skinner’s side were really beginning to click into gear and added their second of the match.
Jayde Riviere threaded a beautiful pass across goal and United’s lethal striker Elisabeth Terland steadied herself and headed home for her first league goal of the season.
Leicester struggled to create anything themselves but United almost did their work for them.
Maya Le Tissier got herself into all sorts of trouble with a poor ball back to Phallon Tullis-Joyce. The American keeper made a mess of her clearance and Leicester had the ball in the back of the net. Luckily, a foul had already been awarded in United’s favour and the score remained 2-0 in their favour.
The first half petered out with United well in control and the visitors rarely threatening in a great opening 45 minutes for the Red Devils.
Second half
New signing Julia Zigiotti has impressed since joining the club and almost scored on her debut, but she could not guide Sandberg’s pass into the back of the net.
Jess Park came on to make her debut after her sensational deadline day switch from cross-city rivals Manchester City.
Leicester finally got themselves forward but Hannah Cain fired her effort wide.
Zigiotti once again threatened but headed over as chances were far and few between in a tepid second half dampened by the heavy rain.
Park made an instant impact as she beat a few Leicester defenders and laid the ball off to Riviere. The Canadian’s cross just eluded Terland however.
Malard finally got her reward when she added United’s third of the afternoon. Dominique Janssen fired in a great ball into the box and the Frenchwoman clinically turned the ball into the back of the net.
After 87 minutes, Malard added United’s fourth and her second with a lovely finish. She received the ball on the left, cut inside and slotted an unstoppable effort into the corner.
If United are to achieve what they want to this year at home and abroad, Malard’s form will surely be a significant factor behind it.
The final whistle blew and Marc Skinner will be delighted with his side’s start to the new season.
United will next be in action when they travel to Norway on Thursday to take on SK Brann in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier.
Featured image Ben Roberts Photo 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.
