FAWSL 2020/2021: Manchester United Women v Bristol City Women – tactical analysis

The WSL served up one final round of fixtures before going on a Christmas break, with all teams looking to end on a high. Unbeaten leaders Manchester United Women, who would be top at Christmas if they won this game, entertained a Bristol City Women side who are quicky being cut adrift at the bottom of the table, struggling for goals and points, and without a league win at all so far this season.

However, coming to the Leigh Sports Village is never easy, and especially not this season, so it seemed unlikely their luck would change in this game. This tactical analysis will look at several areas of the game; Manchester United’s attack, Bristol City’s counter-attacking tactics, and the mistakes that Bristol made that have characterised their season so far.

Lineups

Manchester United Women made just two changes from the team that narrowly beat Reading Women in their last game. Midfielder Hayley Ladd and forward Kirsty Hanson dropped out, with both moving to the bench, whilst club captain Katie Zelem came into the midfield, along with striker Jessica Sigsworth, who played through the middle of the forward line, with USA international Tobin Heath and in-form winger Leah Galton either side of her. Their other USA international, Christen Press, was left on the bench, with the forward having been suffering from illness recently.

Bristol City Women, meanwhile, made four changes of their own from the home defeat to West Ham United Women last weekend. Defender Faye Bryson, midfielders Emma Bissell and Australia international Ella Mastrantonio, and Scotland forward Abi Harrison all moved to the bench. Florence Allen moved from centre-back to right-back, whilst Aimee Palmer came in to take her place in the central defensive three. Australia midfielder Chloe Logarzo came into the centre of midfield, whilst Charlie Wellings and Ebony Salmon both came in to add pace to the attack.