Hinata Miyazawa v Everton
Hinata Miyazawa v Everton
After a dominant 3-0 midweek victory over Burnley in the Subway Players Cup, Eva Olid made nine changes from Wednesday night, but named an unchanged side for the fifth consecutive WSL fixture.
United players and staff wore black armbands throughout the match as a mark of respect for the victims of the recent train crash in Spain and everyone affected by the tragedy.
Here's how the action unfolded...
FIRST HALF - FEW CHANCES FOR EITHER TEAM
An aggressive start from Everton put us under immediate pressure with the Toffees utilising a high press to win the ball back in their attacking third, however Maya Le Tissier - on her 96th consecutive WSL start - was on hand to clear the danger. Everton continued that early pressure with a sustained spell of possession but were unable to convert their share of the ball into a clear-cut chance.
It was then United's turn to attack with a well-placed through ball from Julia Zigiotti in search of Elisabeth Terland. Our no.10 had a clear run at goal but was unable to unleash her effort due to an onrushing Rion Ishikawa who cleared the chance for a corner.
With five minutes on the clock, we started to grow into the game with longer spells of possession and greater intensity out of possession, much like we saw last time out in the draw with derby rivals Manchester City.
We were rewarded with our first effort on target came moments later. Following a corner, summer arrival Andrea Medina found herself unmarked at the edge of the 18-yard box where the Spaniard obeyed orders from travelling Red supports and curled her effort, but her effort lacked the power required to beat Courtney Brosnan.
We continued to push for the opener, with most of our joy coming down the left flank through Ella Toone and Medina. However, with 15 minutes before the interval, it was the home side who fashioned their best chances.
Our no.91 was called into action twice in the closing stages but ultimately kept her composure to ensure the deadlock remained heading into the break. Ornella Vignola - who'd had a relatively quiet first half - cut inside the left flank but saw her effort easily caught by Tullis-Joyce.
It was former Red, Hannah Blundell however, who came closest to opening the scoring. From a fair distance, the full-back's effort appeared to be heading for the top corner but for our shot stopper's acrobatic catch.
Medina running down flank v Everton
Medina running down flank v Everton
SECOND HALF - THE DEADLOCK REMAINS
After Eva Olid's half-time team talk, we started the second half with a renewed energy with more fluidity between midfield and attack which rewarded us with our best chance of the match.
Terland, who rescued a point late on against City, fired a low driven shot which Brosnan was equal to. The Everton keeper spilled the ball into the path of Toone who saw her attempt on goal halted by the offside flag.
With half an hour to play, the game opened up and once again became a game of transitions with no clear frontrunner in the match. Around 70 minutes in, Hanna Lundkvist anticipated Everton danger and was switched on in the six-yard box to prevent an onrushing Maz Pacheco who looked set to either deliver a cross or unleash a shot.
The Reds spent the final 15 minutes in search of an opener with a flurry of chances falling our way. Terland once again proved a threat after a through ball from Jess Park, but Brosnan was quick to drop low and parry the our no.10's near-post effort wide.
Moments later, Le Tissier came close to bagging her first goal of the 2026/27 WSL campaign after a wicked corner delivery almost fooled Brosnan at the near-post who scrambled to punch our skipper's effort clear. But the referee's whistle ultimately brought an end to proceedings without a winner being found.
MATCH DETAILS
Manchester United: Tullis-Joyce; Lundkvist, Le Tissier (c), Janssen, Sandberg; Zigiotti (Schuller 79), Miyazawa; Park (Riviere 79), Toone (Awujo 67), Medina; Terland.
Subs not used: Leitzig, Bernal, Bizet Donnum, Griffiths, Jusu Bah, Wangerheim.
Booked: Awujo, Medina.
Everton: Brosnan; Blundell, Layzell, Ishikawa, Kitagawa; Van Gool, Mace Wheeler; Momiki (Mouchon 82), Vignola, Pacheco.
Subs not used: Foster-Inman, Cain, Rantala, Finnigan, Galli, Silcock.
Booked: Van Gool
NEXT UP FOR THE REDS
United are back in Women's Super League action next Sunday, with a lunchtime visit to face Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Alessia Russo celebrating a goal against Everton
Alessia Russo celebrating a goal against Everton
United Women huddle after Burnley win
United Women huddle after Burnley win