The final of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup between Chelsea and Manchester United is set to take place this Sunday at Wembley Stadium. The Halfway Line tells you everything you need to know ahead of the iconic clash under the arch.
When is the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Final?
The Adobe Women’s FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester United will take place on Sunday the 18th of May at 13:30 UK.
Fans in England can stream stream the showdown on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport Online.
So far over 85,000 tickets have been sold for the game, with final tickets still available online.
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Team News
Manchester United will need to rearrange their defensive unit after head coach Marc Skinner further confirmed the length of Jayde Riviere’s injury. The right back was missing from United’s final-day clash against Arsenal – a game which saw the Red Devils concede four goals.
Aoife Mannion will return to the matchday squad after her suspension, meaning United will have an available right back for the clash. The question resides in whether or not Skinner will stick with the ever-reliable back four, or continue his back three experiment.
As for Chelsea, Sonia Bompastor confirmed that forward Mayra Ramírez will return to the matchday squad following her short spell on the sidelines. Both Lauren James and Sam Kerr remain unavailable, but the rest of the squad will be fit to play this Sunday.
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What did the managers say?
Speaking ahead of the showpiece final, United head coach Marc Skinner said his side will need to be ‘rebellious’ in order to take the fight to the domestic champions.
“I think there’s a respect for Chelsea, you know they’ve achieved something incredible this season, but there’s not a fear, I don’t think there can be a fear. Events like this, and I call it an event because in a game, it’s just part and parcel of what you do in the season, but this is an event.
“So we are in a position where we must concentrate, must focus and just enjoy it. That’s the reality go in with. I’ve never asked our team to be underdog or use that underdog mentality. I think it’s a waste of time and waste of breath, especially for a team like us. So we know the challenge, we know how difficult they’re going to be, but we’ve got to go in there and embrace it. And I think if we embrace it, we can beat anyone. We have no doubt about that.”
Having already secured both the WSL and the League Cup, Sonia Bompastor said winning the FA Cup would be “the perfect end to the season”.
“I would say it would be a really good season, not a perfect one because we missed one trophy,” Bompastor reflected on the Champions League drop-out. “But, to be honest, I would be really proud. Ending the season in an FA Cup final in Wembley with Man United is maybe the perfect way to end the season. But, it will only be perfect if we win.
“It will be a big achievement, but every competition is important so I don’t see the FA Cup being different. It’s a trophy, we want to compete for every trophy,” Bompastor admitted.
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Chelsea vs Man United head-to-head
This brewing WSL rivalry always keeps the popcorn flowing, but despite the cinema, it has always been Chelsea who have dominate the tie’s history. Having faced off 14 times, the Blues have won 12 of the meetings since United’s promotion to the top-flight. The only draw between the two sides came in September 2020, while United’s lone victory occurred in the semi-finals of last season’s FA Cup.
The two sides met just a fortnight ago, after a late header from Lucy Bronze pinched a 1-0 victory from United’s hands at Leigh Sports Village. Despite the scoreline, it was the Red Devils who won the over the statsheet in both shots and big chances created. The fixture somewhat emulated the 2023 FA Cup Final, where Sam Kerr stole the spotlight despite the positive United display.
Both sides have a completely new look since that FA Cup Final outing in 2023. Chelsea’s defence no longer hosts the likes of Magdalena Erikkson, Maren Mjelde or Ève Périsset. Instead they will likely start with the likes of Nathalie Björn, Millie Bright or million dollar Naomi Girma. Melanie Leupolz and Jessie Fleming will no longer be leading the midfield ship, rather young stars Wieke Kaptein and Maika Hamano will be eager to have their say.
As for Manchester United, gone are the days when Alessia Russo held their line. Marc Skinner will be faced with the big question of whether to start Melvine Malard or Elisabeth Terland under the arch of Wembley Stadium. Phallon Tullis-Joyce replaces Mary Earps, and Grace Clinton and Hinata Miyazawa step into the areas once held down by Katie Zelem and Hayley Ladd.
Recovering from the final day humiliation of last season at Old Trafford, Manchester United have finally shown signs of a team able to take on the challenge of this Chelsea powerhouse. However, it won’t be any easy task. Dripping with class, experience and composure, it will take a real rarity to take down Sonia Bompastor’s Invincibles.
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Key Battles to Watch at Wembley
Having been given a taste of what to expect from this showpiece fixture just weeks ago in Manchester, we take a deeper look at some of the key battles across the ground on Sunday.
Hannah Hampton vs Phallon Tullis-Joyce
Although they won’t directly face each other in the contest, the battle of the goalkeepers will be sure to set the tone at Wembley Stadium.
Having shared the WSL Golden Glove award after holding 13 clean sheets each, the two shot-stoppers continue to prove that they are the best in the domestic game. Hampton conceded 13 goals to Tullis-Joyce’s 16, but the American has the highest save percentage in the WSL with 83.1%. United have seen a sky-rocketed improvement on their goals conceded since the turn of the season, having let in just 16 goals compared to 32 in the previous campaign.
As for Hampton, the 24-year-old continues to reach a brand new level. Having likely secured England’s number one spot ahead of the summer’s Euros, Hampton is performing at a generational level for someone still years ahead of their prime.
Erin Cuthbert vs Grace Clinton
The battle of the physical ball-using midfielder will certainly swing the see-saw in either side’s favour. Erin Cuthbert brings heart to this Chelsea team, and there is no one more important than her on this occasion. Despite Chelsea’ preference to play around the midfield, Cuthbert will need to put in a shift in order to nullify the threat of the United ball users.
Clinton missed out on last season’s FA Cup Final due to the terms of her loan contract omitting her from playing against her old parent side. This time, she will be in Red and Black and ready to show her talent on the biggest stage. If the Red Devils are able to clinch victory from Chelsea, my bet is that Clinton will be the standout performer.
Mayra Ramírez vs Millie Turner
With confirmation that Mayra Ramírez will be fit to join the Chelsea squad for the fixture, it is only right to assume she will dock minutes. Despite Millie Turner’s standout season for United, Ramírez always finds a way to bring the game to her doorstep.
Picking up two goals and two assists last season at Old Trafford, the Colombian forward gave Turner a nightmare afternoon that she will be begging to forget for years to come.With just four WSL goals to her name this season, Ramírez has struggled to find form – but if Bompastor can get her firing, the Red Devils could be in for a long afternoon.
Sandy Baltimore vs Celin Bizet
Depending on how United set up in the absence of Jayde Riviere, this battle could be one to get the popcorn out for. If Bizet is deployed at right wing and Baltimore at left back, these vibrant ball-masters will certainly put on the show.
Howeve, if Skinner opts to play a back three with Bizet as a wing back, Baltimore may be granted all the space in the world to work her magic.