Man United Women in bullish mood ahead of final | OneFootball

Manchester United Women are preparing for a historic match this Sunday.

The Red Devils will take on Chelsea in their first ever League Cup final, aiming to win their second ever piece of silverware.

Before the match, the club’s official website interviewed a range of different players, asking about their experiences before the match.

Special cup feeling

Norwegian Lisa Naalsund has been one of the team’s surprise packages this season and she claimed, “when the game starts and the team walks out on the pitch. Even when you get into the changing room, I don’t know what it is, but the atmosphere is always a little bit different.”

United’s Canadian youngster Simi Awujo also added, “having all my family there is probably the best part for me. When we’ve been to Wembley and stuff, just waking up and seeing everybody ready to cheer us on is really special.”

Dutch star Dominique Janssen added, “I would say the excitement. Just knowing that you’re going to play in a big stadium with a lot of fans and having a final is something special.”

Lea Schuller and Julia Zigiotti focused more on winning as the main feeling to look forward to.

United veteran Leah Galton has had her fair share of injury woes this season and reflected, “I can’t help but get extra excited and just enjoy the time and the environment because you don’t really get many. Obviously, we’ve had quite a few the past couple of years, but you never know when it’s your last one, so just enjoy the whole thing.”

Preparation

All of the players interviewed stated that a final is just different from a normal matchday, but Awujo took a different stance, claiming, “it all comes down to preparation. As long as we prepare the right way, it’s just another match day. Obviously the stakes are bigger, but for us we take every match day really seriously. The goal is always to win.”

Millie Turner struck a different chord, stating, “of course a final always feels different. You win it or lose it, so it all depends on that day. But it’s a good feeling.” Naalsund also admitted that it is a little bit more exciting than a normal game.

Janssen claimed that she tries to think of it as another game but evidently gets more nervous, though she tries to turn those nerves into extra focus on game day.

Experience

Despite their young history, the Red Devils have played in three consecutive FA Cup finals, winning one in 2024.

Most of the players felt this will help them this time around. Gabby George claimed, “when you have your first final you don’t really know what to expect in terms of how the day is going to feel. But once you’ve had that experience, it becomes a normal football match for you.”

Young keeper Safia Middleton-Patel argued that, “yes, 100%. You know how to manage your emotions and the game. It’s different from a normal league game where you can manage time differently. This is a one-game situation, so you need to know what you’re walking into.”

Millie Turner and Galton both believe that the signings United have brought in over the last couple of windows bring a plethora of trophy-winning experience, so that should only benefit their side on the day.

What would it feel like to be winners?

The players were asked what it would feel like to win, and January recruit Schuller stated, “it would be great. We’re one of the best teams in the league and I think we’re missing from that list.” (League Cup winners)

George confidently insisted, “playing for Manchester United means we want to win trophies, no matter what the competition is.”

Another January recruit, Ellen Wangerheim, added, “everyone in this team wants to win titles and play in these types of games, so we’re ready to take it home to United.”

Finally, Janssen claimed, “it would be amazing if we could win this. It would be nice to make some history, and that’s why it’s going to be a big day for us.” Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images

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