MY ACCOUNT
Manchester United are on the verge of unprecedented success as they prepare to take on Chelsea in the Women’s FA Cup final on Sunday.
The Red Devils are on track to complete the double for the first time and sit at the top of the Women’s Super League but face a significant challenge from the Blues.
Emma Hayes’ outfit have come out on top in both meetings between the two sides this season but United skipper Katie Zelem insists that her side will not arrive at Wembley Stadium as underdogs.
She said: “In previous seasons we have gone into these games as underdogs, and now we don’t feel like that’s the case at all.
“We don’t change now for the other teams. In the first few seasons it was more about staying in the game and trying to take a point or nick a win.
“Now you’re seeing a lot of the games where we dominate possession, we dominate the ball, and that shows the mentality shift that we want to win.
“We know what their threats are now and I’ve said it a lot of times throughout the season, but it’s about confidence and belief and I think that’s why we’re doing well this year, we genuinely believe we can win every game.”
Captain fantastic
Zelem has captained her childhood club to new heights under Marc Skinner this season, providing eight assists along the way for the WSL’s top scorers.
The Manchester-born maestro swapped Juventus for United in 2018 and helped them secure promotion to the WSL at the first time of asking.
Now the 27-year-old is set to lead her team-mates out on the biggest stage — an achievement she is not taking for granted.
The England international said: “I’m so proud to represent this club, my childhood club, and I’ve had so many amazing memories so far.
“Manchester United always leads firmly in my heart and this moment will be up there with my highlights.
“It’s a club that I’ve been at for a long time now and supported my whole life, and I think that’s what childhood dreams are made of.”
Third time lucky
Chelsea have overcome United twice this term but Zelem is determined to learn from her mistakes and lead her team to glory at a sold-out Wembley.
In the 1-0 defeat back in March, the Red Devils enjoyed 64% possession but could only muster three efforts on target.
Sam Kerr proved to be the difference for the hosts but United’s skipper is confident that her side can deal with any threats posed to them from English teams.
She said: “We’ve faced a lot of different tactics across the season now and we’re certainly prepared for all scenarios.
“I think Chelsea are a team that’s really comfortable in not having the ball and for a top team, you don’t see that very often, so maybe it’s a different sort of test.
“But for us, it’s about being patient, keeping the ball, and creating chances and taking them when we come.”
Looking ahead
United missed out on Champions League qualification last season at the hands of rivals Manchester City after winning just one of their last three games.
And Skinner’s side are determined to avoid the same fate in the current campaign, but Zelem is remaining wary of the potential threat of the teams below them.
She said: “I think we always set out to get in the Champions League, now we seem like we’ve surpassed that, but it’s definitely not secure yet.
“We’ve still got to play Man City and obviously Liverpool is a really tough game too. So for us, we can’t take any game lightly.
“Chelsea and Arsenal did brilliantly in the Champions League and to have two English teams in the Champions League semi-finals, that is something that everyone who is a part of the league should be proud of.
“If our progress continues for another five years Manchester United can certainly become of the biggest teams in Europe.”
Zelem can become the first captain of the women’s side to lead United to the double, but they must overcome a Chelsea side who are still hurting from their Champions League exit a few weeks ago.
