West Ham United women’s team v Manchester United
Barclays Women's Super League, Chigwell Construction Stadium, Saturday 19 April 2025, 12pm BST
The break is over and we have reached the run-in stage of the Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) season!
West Ham United women’s team have four games remaining to chalk up as many points as possible and continue their sensational form, with a top-six finish a distinct possibility.
As much as it’s a cliché, the international window arguably came at the wrong time for Rehanne Skinner’s side, who came from two goals down to draw at leaders Chelsea last time out. Shekiera Martinez’s brace, her fourth and fifth goals for the Club since debuting in January, ensured the Blues dropped points at home for the first time since February 2024 - and capped off a scintillating March for the Germany U23 international, who was crowned the WSL’s Player of the Month.
Martinez was also on target in the Irons’ valiant, attacking display at second-placed Arsenal at the beginning of the month, which was followed by a last-gasp draw against Manchester City and a London derby victory at home to Tottenham Hotspur.
But the next challenge on the horizon for Skinner’s team is the visit of third-place Manchester United on Saturday, who are striving to secure a spot in next season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League. They head to Chigwell Construction Stadium buoyed by a 2-0 win over rivals Manchester City in the semi-finals of the Adobe Women's FA Cup last time out, which was their third successive victory in all competitions.
Here’s everything you need to know about the clash against the Red Devils...
Tickets...
You still have time to purchase your ticket for the visit of Manchester United at Chigwell Construction Stadium. Click HERE to get yours, available from £15 for Adults and £5 for U18s, or call the Ticket Office on 0333 030 1966.
Tickets will also be available on matchday for walk-ups up to the 12noon kick-off!
How To Follow…
The Sky Sports cameras will again be in Dagenham on Saturday, as the game against Manchester United will be available to watch on Sky Sports Football, with coverage commencing from 11.30am.
Alternatively, you can also keep up-to-date via a live blog on our website and app, and across our social media channels, while highlights and exclusive reaction will follow after the final whistle on whufc.com.
Travel…
The most convenient way to reach Chigwell Construction Stadium is by public transport.
Dagenham East station on the London Underground's District line is situated about 500 metres from the ground. On exiting the station, turn left, and the ground is in Victoria Road, which is the fifth turning on the left-hand side after about 400 metres. You will see the stadium at the end of the cul-de-sac.
For those travelling by bus, fans can take the 103 from either Romford railway station, which is served by Greater Anglia, TfL's Elizabeth line, and London Overground, or Rainham station, which is served by c2c rail services. The 103 has stops on both sides of Rainham Road South, just north of Victoria Road.
Supporters using public transport are advised to check their journeys before they travel, using resources such as TfL’s Journey Planner and the TfL Go app. Supporters may also wish to visit the National Rail website if travelling on the rail network.
No parking is available at Chigwell Construction Stadium. Street parking in the local area is available, but motorists should take note of restrictions.
Pre-match events
Similar to our match against Tottenham Hotspur at Chigwell Construction Stadium in March, ahead of the game against Manchester United, there will be face painters and bubble artists in the carpark!
Opposition…
Manchester United look set to secure a European place as they sit seven points clear of fourth-place Manchester City in the WSL standings.
As well as looking down on them in the table, United had got the better of their Manchester rivals last weekend as they progressed through to their third successive Adobe Women’s FA Cup final with a 2-0 win at the Joie Stadium.
Taking the lead after just six minutes played, Celin Bizet met Ella Toone’s impressive ball over the top to curl home beyond Khiara Keating in the City goal, and it was two on 22 minutes when Gabby George’s corner was diverted goal bound by a Grace Clinton diving header - ensuring the holders have the opportunity to retain the FA Cup when they meet Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday 18 May.
Having lost just twice in the WSL this term, Marc Skinner’s side made a blistering start to the season, going nine games unbeaten in all competitions before suffering their maiden loss against at leaders Chelsea in late November.
But to say the Red Devils bounced back from the defeat in some style would be an understatement. United won eleven of their following 12 matches in all competitions, chalking up a seven-game winning run in the WSL in the process, before Liverpool inflicted a shock 3-1 success over their rivals at Anfield in March.
The Leigh Sports Village outfit again showed their resolve to respond to the defeat on Merseyside as they head into the clash at Chigwell Construction off the back of three successive victories in all competitions.
The success over City in the FA Cup was their first game since head coach Marc Skinner signed a new contract at the club.
Skinner, who was appointed as Casey Stoney's successor in 2021, has made history with the Red Devils. He led the women’s team to their first major honour last term, winning the FA Cup with a resounding 4-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, which followed their first-ever campaign in the UEFA Women’s Champions League after finishing second in the 2022/23 WSL season.
Prior to his endeavours in Manchester, Skinner was football academy manager at Solihull College while also balancing roles, such as technical director, reserve-team head coach and first-team goalkeeping coach, at Birmingham City.
He later became head coach of the Blues before making the move to the United States where he took charge of Orlando Pride in the National Women's Soccer League.
Previous Meetings…
The women’s team will be gunning for their second victory over Manchester United on Saturday, with the first success coming in 2019, when Katharina Baunach netted a late brace to secure a monumental 3-2 WSL win.
In the fixture at Chigwell Construction Stadium last term, Viviane Asseyi notched an 85th-minute equaliser, lifting the ball over goalkeeper Mary Earps with immense composure, as the sides played out the first draw in their head-to-head meetings.
The two teams have met on eleven occasions and Manchester United’s 3-0 success in the reverse fixture this season, the first game of West Ham’s 2024/25 campaign, was their seventh victory over the Hammers.
