Manchester United v Reading: Women’s Super League opener – live!

7.10pm BST19:10

Ahead of the season we took a look at each WSL club under a microscope to pick out key signings, the managers and what they need to do to get success.

Take a look at our previews for tonight’s clubs below:

7.00pm BST19:00

Reading are yet to reveal their first team of this WSL season but they have shared a message from long-standing manager Kelly Chambers.

Reading FC Women
(@ReadingFCWomen)

🗣 A word from the boss ahead of the first game of the season:

“For us now it’s a case of putting our football out there from what we’ve been working on over the last few weeks in preseason”

Reading take on Manchester United, with kick off less than one hour to! pic.twitter.com/OEBEYCHgXS

September 3, 2021

6.45pm BST18:45

Preamble

Welcome to the 21/22 Women’s Super League season which kicks off with Manchester United facing Reading.

It has been a summer full of change for United as Casey Stoney made may for Marc Skinner as manager. Skinner has a career full of experience as he has led National Women’s Soccer League club Orlando Pride and fellow WSL side Birmingham City.

As well as a change in manager, the club have also said goodbye to one of their best players in Lauren James. She moved to Chelsea in a blow to United but the side have recruited well to fortify their team in their bid to qualify for the Women’s Champions League.

Martha Thomas has made the move over from West Ham, Hannah Blundell brings a wealth of experience from Chelsea and Aoife Mannion joins from their rivals Manchester City.

Meanwhile, United’s opponents Reading are raring to get their WSL campaign underway as they target a top four finish.

Kelly Chambers will be hoping her new signings go well, including Belgian international Justine Vanhaevermaet – the biggest signing of their summer.

They are missing huge stars though as Fara Williams retired at the end of last season, Jess Fishlock returned to the NWSL and Angharad James signed for NWSL club North Carolina Courage.

Both clubs have seen a lot of change but the prediction of the result of this match remains the same. United have the slight edge, though if any club can cause an upset it’s Reading.

source: theguardian.com