MY ACCOUNT
Manchester United captain Katie Zelem has spearheaded her side’s title charge in the Women’s Super League this season.
The 27-year-old has featured in all 17 of the Red Devils’ top-flight matches in 2022-23 and has only been on the losing side twice.
Despite her fine form, the ex-Liverpool and Juventus midfielder was dropped from Sarina Wiegman’s latest England squad for the games with Brazil and Australia.
Ahead of today’s FA Cup semi-final clash with Brighton, we take a look at the United skipper in more detail.
Leading by example
Zelem’s work in the engine room has put Marc Skinner’s side in contention for both maiden league and cup triumphs.
Having grown up watching Alex Ferguson’s titans, the Manchester-born maestro has experienced first hand the highs and lows of football at the top level.
Now, she leads a women’s side who are fast becoming fierce domestic competitors themselves.
Only four players have provided more assists this season than Zelem and her quality in the final third will surely be giving England boss Wiegman a severe selection headache.
Seal of approval
United have pulled out some huge results in the WSL this year and the 4-0 win over Brighton earlier this month will have been excellent preparation for today’s cup clash at Leigh Sports Village.
Zelem provided two assists in the thrashing and head coach Skinner could not hide his admiration of his No10’s qualities after full-time.
He said: “She has a big game brain. This girl sees the game two steps ahead and I’ve said it a lot.
“She sees stages and pictures and sometimes when people don’t move to things she’s seeing that maybe stumbles her — but that’s why she is the captain.
“She sees the game and produces the game plan with us. She helps gel our team.”
On the edge
Frustratingly, Zelem has found herself in and out of the England squad and will have been disappointed not to have been included for this month’s fixtures.
Despite her selection for the Arnold Clark Cup campaign in February, she did not play a single minute and was unable to add to her tally of seven international caps.
Of course, she faces tough competition in the form of Georgia Stanway and Keira Walsh, but the Lionesses’ 2-0 loss to the Matildas on Tuesday may provide Wiegman with some food for thought.
Capable of dictating the play and driving forward to great effect, Zelem would add another dynamic threat to a Lionesses team who are looking to return from Australia and New Zealand this summer as World Cup winners.
Weight of the world
Having also been snubbed for a place in the Euro 2022 squad, Zelem could be understandably frustrated that her club performances are not translating into international opportunities.
But the talented ball-winner is used to dealing with pressure and has previously opened up on what it is like to be such an influential figure at a club like United.
She said: “There’s a lot of pressure on my shoulders, but it’s something I relish, especially as a United fan.
“I feel so privileged that I can represent the club. I want to make the fans proud.”
Lifting the FA Cup in May would only add further weight to her England claims.
