Manchester United Women opened their WSL account with a resounding 4-0 win against Reading in front of a record 7,000 fans at Leigh Sports Village. The Reds put on a dominating performance, scoring all four goals in the first half. The club’s opening match against Spurs was postponed due to the queen’s passing.
Maya Le Tissier celebrated her debut at the club with two goals — both coming from corners — while also helping the defence keep a clean sheet.
Captain Katie Zelem also celebrated her 100th appearance by converting a penalty and providing the assists for Le Tissier. Alessia Russo ensured United’s victory with an entire second half to play with a confident header beyond Reading keeper Grace Moloney.
FIRST HALF
United started strong and got their first goal when Le Tissier lobbed the ball over Reading’s keeper, converting Zelem’s set-piece within the first five minutes. Her dream home debut set the theme for the first half, opening the floodgates for the home team.
Reading keeper brought Russo down in the box barely ten minutes later, and captain Zelem made sure to double the Reds’ lead and celebrate her milestone 100th cap in style. United looked firmly in control, and Marc Skinner will no doubt be pleased with his side’s dominating performance.
They yielded very little to the visiting side, with Ella Toone playing as an attacking midfielder and making the most of all the space she had. Shortly before the 30th minute, Le Tissier doubled her own account with a powerful header into the far corner, courtesy of another Zelem corner.
Russo finished the goal-scoring for United as the clock ticked closer to half-time, making contact with Ona Batlle’s cross after she had a brilliant link up with fellow Spaniard Lucia Garcia.
As the half-time break approached, Russo rounded off a perfect half for Skinner’s side, applying the finishing touch to a delightful cross after our Spaniards, Ona Batlle and Lucia Garcia, linked up well down the right-hand side.
Garcia herself had a chance to make it 5-0, but was denied her debut by Reading’s keeper.
SECOND HALF
Not taking their foot off the gas, United started the second half dominant; they weren’t happy with just four goals and were looking for more. The Reds kept possession quite comfortably and clearly wanted to extend their lead. Russo had another opportunity to head the ball into an empty net, but the Reading defence was quick to crowd into her space, thus seeing her effort go wide.
Two second-half subs — Martha Thomas and Adriana Leon — provided United with more attacking options, but Reading held on to keep the home team at bay. Despite not being able to increase their goal difference, United maintained their vice-grip on the match, denying Reading any chance whatsoever.
The Reds’ next match is against West Ham in London next Sunday, while we still wait for news on the postponed match against Spurs.
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