Chelsea Women Training Session
COBHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 09: Nelly Las of Chelsea in action during a Chelsea FC Women’s Training Session at Chelsea Training Ground on September 09, 2026 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Harriet Lander - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
A far from ideal start to the Women’s Super League puts Chelsea on a not so ideal position, having to look for a bounce back immediately after their debut in the competition. They will have to do so against Manchester United, an old acquaintance that often helps us out in getting good results but that haven’t been too willing as of late.
Date / Time: Sunday, September 12, 2026, 12.00 BST; 7am EDT
Venue: Leigh Sports Village, Manchester, England
Forecast: Sunny intervals and light winds
On TV: Sky One, Sky Sports Mix (UK); CBS Sports Network (USA); elsewhere
Streaming: Sky GO (UK); fuboTV, Paramount+ (USA)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 08: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Andrea Medina, Maya Le Tissier, Hanna Lundkvist of Manchester United Women in action during a training session at Carrington Training Ground on September 08, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Poppy Townson - MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Manchester United team news: It was a summer of squad reshuffle for the Red Devils, with 13 players leaving the club in definitive. The most impactful exit was certainly forward Melvine Malard’s who joined our side in July. As a way to balance things out they brought on Monica Jusu Bah from Swedish outfit BK Häcken on a reported £400,000 fee.
United will be without Jayde Riviere after the Canadian full-back suffered a calf problem in the opening defeat to London City Lionesses, while central midfielder Emma Watson remains sidelined for several weeks. Wide midfielder Fridolina Rolfö is also unavailable after announcing her pregnancy.
COBHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 09: Sandy Baltimore of Chelsea is challenged by Veerle Buurman of Chelsea during a Chelsea FC Women’s Training Session at Chelsea Training Ground on September 09, 2026 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Harriet Lander - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea team news: For the first time in history the Blues gave up points to Aston Villa with a 1-1 draw to start their Women’s Super League campaign. They did so at Stamford Bridge, in their first match using the ground as a regular stage for the club in England’s top league.
Former United attacker Melvine Malard remains unavailable, and so do Mayra Ramírez and Manaka Matsukubo. The good news is that defender Nathalie Björn is quite close to full recovery, and might even get a squad spot this weekend as a result.
Previously: Lone Lucy Bronze second half goal to get us three points.