Manchester United Women began the WSL season with a disappointing 2-1 defeat to London City Lionesses on Friday night.
Julia Zigiotti Olme’s early own goal put Eva Olid’s side behind before Danielle van de Donk doubled London City’s advantage late on.
Simi Awujo finally gave United something to celebrate in the 100th minute, although her goal arrived too late to change the outcome.
ReadManUtd’s full London City 2-1 Man Utd Women match report is available here..
Here are our Manchester United Women player ratings from the WSL opener.
Man Utd Women player ratings vs London City
Phallon Tullis-Joyce – 7
United’s best starter. Made several important interventions when London City threatened to pull clear and could do little about either goal. Without her, the margin could have been greater.
Jayde Riviere – 5
Had a difficult evening containing London City’s quality on the flank and was unable to provide her usual attacking influence. Replaced late on.
Maya Le Tissier – 6
One of the steadier members of United’s back line. Had plenty of defending to do as London City controlled long periods, but competed well and tried to organise those around her.
Dominique Janssen – 5
Could not impose herself as consistently as United needed. London City regularly found spaces between United’s defensive and midfield lines.
Anna Sandberg – 5
Worked hard on the left but struggled to give United enough progression going forward. Olid withdrew her after 62 minutes as she searched for a route back into the contest.
Hinata Miyazawa – 5
Usually such a reliable presence in midfield, but United were second-best in that area for too much of the evening. Could not establish enough control against London City’s star-studded midfield.
Julia Zigiotti Olme – 4
A painful start to the season. Her attempted defensive header ended up in her own net after nine minutes and she never fully recovered her influence on the game. Withdrawn for Awujo after 69 minutes.
Jess Park – 5
United needed more from one of their most creative players. Tried to carry the ball forward but found opportunities to hurt London City extremely limited.
Ella Toone – 5
Similar story. United struggled to get their No.7 into the areas where she is most dangerous, with London City controlling possession and denying her space between the lines.
Andrea Medina – 5
Showed occasional flashes but had little room to operate against an aggressive London City side. A difficult first competitive WSL appearance for the summer arrival.
Elisabeth Terland – 4
Isolated for much of the contest. United’s lack of attacking control meant she received very little useful service before being replaced by Lea Schüller.
Sky’s confirmed team showed Olid starting Terland ahead of Schüller, with Toone, Park and Medina supporting from behind.
Man Utd substitutes
Monica Jusu Bah – 6
Introduced after 62 minutes for her competitive United debut and brought additional directness. United only completed Jusu Bah’s signing shortly before the start of the season, and there were enough positive moments to suggest she can become an important option.
Simi Awujo – 7
United’s most effective substitute. Added physicality and urgency after replacing Zigiotti Olme before scoring in the 100th minute to make it 2-1.
It was ultimately only a consolation, but Awujo did more than most to push her case for a starting place.
Lea Schüller – 5
Came on alongside Awujo but, like Terland before her, struggled to receive enough quality service in dangerous areas.
Hanna Lundkvist – 5
Introduced for Riviere in the closing stages and had too little time to significantly affect the result.
Awujo gives Eva Olid something to consider
There were not many positives for Olid to take from her first competitive game.
London City controlled much of the match and United generated too little attacking threat before finally pushing forward during stoppage time.
Awujo’s contribution was therefore particularly noticeable.
The Canadian replaced Zigiotti Olme in the 69th minute and eventually scored United’s only goal, while Jusu Bah also injected more direct running after coming from the bench.
United’s starting XI may therefore already be under pressure ahead of their next fixture.
United had already ended pre-season with a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City, meaning Olid will want a much stronger collective performance when her side return to action.
