There is no denying that Manchester United Women have been one of English women’s football’s most in-form teams over recent weeks, with six consecutive wins in all competitions seeing them rise to second in the WSL and seal a place in the upcoming Continental Cup semi-finals. Plenty of players have contributed to that good run, but this tactical analysis will identify one who has perhaps gone under the radar slightly; Vilde Bøe Risa. The Norway midfielder was added to provide a balance in the central third, but has instead been transformed into an attack-minded player, operating mostly in a support role for the striker.
This scout report will examine how this change has come about during the current season, and why it has been a key factor in Manchester United’s recent success. It will also explain why it is important that Risa is kept fit during the second half of the campaign, as having her out for any period of time could harm the team’s progress and hopes of a top three finish.
Protecting the defence
As mentioned, when Vilde Bøe Risa joined from eventual Norwegian Toppserien champions Sandviken, she was initially asked to give the defence some much-needed protection, helping to shore up a back line that had conceded plenty of goals last season by helping to defend in a different way.
As a result, Risa stayed close to the defenders in the opening game of the season, at home to Reading Women, with her main task being to fill any holes that were left open and get her body in the way of their shots on goal. In doing so, Manchester United Women looked to make it harder for Reading to turn these offensive moves into anything more than that, which was the first sign of the new era in which they were trying to make it harder for opponents to score against them. On this occasion, Risa blocked two shots in quick succession, preventing England goalkeeper Mary Earps from being troubled, so she proved immediately capable of doing what she had been brought in to do.
Whilst Reading did struggle to get going at the beginning of the season, they still had plenty of powerful attackers available to them, including Wales internationals Natasha Harding and Rachel Rowe and former Liverpool Women and AC Milan Femmenile striker Natasha Dowie. Therefore, having a player like Risa who could prevent them creating many opportunities was important, and her average of 2.69 interceptions per game and 66.2% of defensive duels won so far highlight these defensive qualities.
