Manchester United’s charge towards a first Women’s Super League title refuses to be checked, with their lead extended to six points by a stoppage-time winner, but the manner of their victory over Aston Villa should serve as a warning.
As dramatic as it was, standards will have to improve.
A header from Millie Turner, stooping in among bodies to connect, in the 93rd minute epitomised the new-look Manchester United — a team eager to conjure match-winning moments in critical games. But as much as it was a glorious moment for United and another intriguing twist in the title race, theirs was by no means a pretty performance in Walsall.
United had never been beaten by Villa. They had not even conceded a goal in the previous five league meetings. Yet they were undone too easily on Friday night, with uncharacteristic defensive fragility exposed.
A header from Rachel Daly put Villa into a ninth-minute lead. Lucy Staniforth’s corner drifted into the box and United’s zonal marking was awry, leaving Daly unmarked. Villa nearly added another in exactly the same manner just a few minutes later with the early warnings unheeded. This time it was Anna Patten, who saw her header hit the crossbar.
United’s Ella Toone contemplates Daly’s opener for Villa (Photo: Nathan…
