Manchester United Women welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the Progress With Unity Stadium this Sunday in our next Barclays Women’s Super League assignment.
It comes after a tough UEFA Women’s Champions League encounter at the same venue in the week, ending in a 3-0 loss to OL Lyonnes, although we have already confirmed a play-off to proceed beyond the league phase.
Attentions turn swiftly to the visit of Spurs, our first of two December meetings with the north London side, after being drawn to face them
in the Subway Women’s League Cup a week on December 21, also at home.
TEAM NEWS
Skinner ruled Elisabeth Terland out of our midweek European meeting during his last pre-match press conference, revealing that she had picked up a knock last weekend against West Ham United. It remains to be seen whether she has recovered in time.
Phallon Tullis-Joyce has now made two consecutive appearances over the last seven days, following an absence due to a small fracture to her eye socket, suggesting that she is set to continue between the sticks.
Millie Turner last featured back in September, before being sidelined with a knee injury, but Skinner revealed earlier this week that Spurs’ first visit could signify the defender’s return to action.
All four of Dominique Janssen, Jess Park, Ella Toone and Julia Zigiotti Olme started the midweek defeat to Lyon on the bench, so they may be in line to start again this weekend.
Spurs arrive with an extensive injury list, with winger Jessica Naz unfortunately the latest player in the treatment room, after the club confirmed a few days ago that she suffered an ACL injury during her latest appearance against Aston Villa.
Naz joins colleagues Ella Morris and Maite Oroz, who are both in recovery for the same injury.
Alongside that trio, Charlotte Grant, Olga Ahtinen and Cathinka Tandberg are not expected back until after Christmas, with Luana Buhler also still sidelined, having not appeared since last season.
RECENT FORM
After a strong start to the season, United head into this fixture looking to put a spell of rocky form behind us, with only one win in our last four outings in all competitions.
That win, however, came in the WSL, against West Ham, so Skinner’s side will hope to put together consecutive league victories this weekend, as we head into the match third in the table, one point behind Chelsea and seven points behind crosstown rivals Manchester City.
The same applies to the visitors, who won their last outing against Aston Villa, following a draw against Arsenal and a 4-2 defeat at the hands of London City Lionesses.
The Lilywhites’s exploits have them fifth in the table at present, just a point behind the Reds, so this fixture is crucial for both sides.
HOW TO WATCH
The match will be available in the UK and Ireland on BBC Two or via stream on the BBC iPlayer. In the U.S. you’ll need the ESPN app or an equivalent subscription through one of Disney’s other streaming platforms.
Everyone else check out Livesoccertv.
