Manchester United captain Maya Le Tissier broke the record for the most consecutive WSL starts as she started her 71st consecutive league game for the Red Devils in their 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
In a positive performance from Marc Skinner's side against the Blues, Le Tissier eclipsed former Leicester City star Aileen Whelan’s previous mark of 70, a record Whelan set while representing Brighton.
At just 23, Le Tissier is no stranger to milestones, already etching her name into the history books. The Guernsey-born defender became the youngest player to reach 100 WSL appearances at the age of 22 and continues to break records.
Since arriving from Brighton in 2022, Le Tissier has featured in every competitive fixture for United, and last month notched her 100th appearance for the club in a 5–1 away win over newly promoted London City Lionesses.
Rarely missing a beat, Le Tissier’s durability and consistently strong form have established her as one of the WSL’s most dependable figures - a talismanic presence for Marc Skinner’s side whose growing collection of records speaks to both longevity and quality.
Brighton breakout to Man United captain: Le Tissier's rise
Maya Le Tissier made her WSL debut for Brighton in 2018 and quickly established herself on the south coast. She was named Brighton’s Young Player of the Season in both 2020–21 and 2021–22, and in June 2022 earned a nomination for the PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year.
Her performances drew interest from the country’s top clubs and, in the summer of 2022, the defender signed a three-year deal with United. She made an immediate statement in Manchester, starting and scoring a brace on her debut in a 4–0 WSL victory over Reading in September 2022.
At United she became a rock at the heart of the defence, quickly forging a dependable partnership with Millie Turner and becoming an ever-present figure in Skinner’s side. That form was rewarded with a senior England debut in November 2022, when she played the full 90 minutes in a friendly against Norway.
Following Katie Zelem’s departure in August 2024, Le Tissier was handed the captain’s armband at United and has thrived in the leadership role. The 23-year-old also made history as the first player from Guernsey - male or female - to be selected for England at a major senior tournament as the Lionesses secured Euro 2025 glory.
Indispensable for the Reds
Since arriving at United, Le Tissier has arguably become the Red Devils’ most important player: ever-available, reliably excellent and instrumental to the team’s progress. She’s made an immediate and sustained impact in Manchester, combining defensive solidity with the composure of a natural leader.
That leadership has translated seamlessly into the captain’s armband at an unusually young age, with Le Tissier routinely displaying a maturity and presence that belie her years. Her calmness under pressure and consistency week after week have made her indispensable for United as they chase domestic honours and European ambitions.
It remains something of a surprise that Sarina Wiegman has not given the defender more minutes with the Lionesses. Widely regarded as one of England’s best young defenders, Le Tissier has thrived centrally for United yet appears to be viewed more as a full-back at international level - a positional shift that, combined with the presence of Lucy Bronze, has limited her opportunities so far.
Still, there is no doubting the trajectory ahead of Le Tissier. The 23-year-old boasts an exceptionally high ceiling and will be central to United’s hopes as they push for a WSL title challenge and aim to make their mark in the UEFA Champions League - and it’s only a matter of time before her international role grows to match her club importance.