Arsenal Women vs Man United Women: Match Report

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The Peoples Person

·21 January 2026

Arsenal Women vs Man United Women: Match Report

Manchester United Women travelled to London to take on Arsenal in the semi-final of the League Cup.

First Half

The Gunners started on top, when a Taylor Hinds cross was met by Frida Maanum, but Phallon Tullis-Joyce stood tall to deny Arsenal from taking the lead.

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Caitlin Foord was next to threaten the United goal, but her header was easily stopped by United’s American goalkeeper despite being left in acres of room. Arsenal continued to dominate possession, but the Red Devils had the next chance.

Ellen Wangerheim, making her full debut, headed the ball down at the back post, but the ball was gobbled up by Anneke Borbe in the Gunners’ goal.

Jess Park curled a lovely ball to Elisabeth Terland, but she failed to make meaningful contact on the ball. Shortly after, Arsenal responded and former United striker Alessia Russo dragged an effort wide.

United felt they should have had a penalty moments later when Katie McCabe appeared to bring down Terland, but the Norwegian’s appeals were waved away. Nonetheless, Terland would have the last laugh as she capitalised on poor keeping by the Arsenal shot-stopper.

Borbe gifted the ball to Wangerheim, but she could not control the ball properly. Luckily for the Red Devils, it carried through to Terland, who fired a fierce effort into the bottom corner to give Marc Skinner’s side the lead on the cusp of half-time.

Second half

As you would expect, Arsenal came flying out of the traps and Maanum snatched an effort over Tullis-Joyce’s crossbar.

Russo spurned another chance for the hosts, but United then caught a break. Olivia Smith, having been booked earlier, flew into a challenge on Julia Olme and the referee had no choice but to show a red card.

United began to take control, and Melvine Malard found herself in oceans of space at the back post but skied her shot well over the bar when she really should have done better. Just before the end of the 90 minutes, Arsenal were furious they were not awarded a penalty.

McCabe shot at goal and her effort was deflected by Dominique Janssen’s hand. Fortunately, the referee waved play on and United were spared heartbreak in the final moments.

Moments later, Jess Park tried to kill the game off once and for all, but her effort looped well over the bar. United fans then had their hearts in their mouths when Beth Mead was left unmarked at the back post, but she somehow managed to head the ball wide, much to the relief of the Red Devils’ defence.

The away side kept the ball away from their own goal, and finally the referee blew the whistle to signal a United victory. The Red Devils will now face Chelsea at Ashton Gate, Bristol, on 15th March, looking to win the tournament for the very first time.

United will next be in action away to Aston Villa at 11.55 GMT on Sunday morning.