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Manchester United’s away record against Chelsea is poor, so it’s no wonder their trophy cabinet is missing major silverware.
They’ve never beaten Emma Hayes’ side and their form away from home at Kingsmeadow in all competitions sums it up: they’ve played four, lost four.
As leaders in the Women’s Super League, Marc Skinner’s side certainly give the impression that they have become a different team this season, that they have grown and become real contenders for the Women’s Super League title.
But if his team are to take that massive next step and become champions, they must end their hoodoo in west London.
They need to go to the home of the defending champions – where they lost 4-2 last season – and show their mettle to show their true titles by beating Chelsea.
Only Sunday’s game will not decide the title, far from it. Both teams still have to face third-placed Manchester City and fourth-placed Arsenal in the league, as well as visiting fifth-placed Aston Villa. That title battle may come down to the penultimate weekend of the season with what looks like a decisive round of fixtures featuring the Manchester derby and Chelsea v Arsenal.
United must take the initiative – now
It is not true to say United mathematically have to beat Chelsea. Nevertheless, United and Chelsea are in a situation ahead of Sunday’s game where they know the league is in their hands; both are considered to win the league if they win all their remaining matches. Now is the moment to take the initiative.
So Sunday’s 12.30pm kick-off will be the ultimate test for Manchester United, who are unbeaten in their last 13 games in all competitions since – you guessed it – hosting Chelsea on November 6.
“This is probably the toughest game of the season,” Skinner said in a pregame press conference. “We have a lot of respect for them but we have to show our rebellious nature and make sure we maximize our opportunities in this game.”
Asked what he believes has led to Chelsea’s run of three successive WSL titles, Skinner added: “The investment. They could buy the best players. But I think it’s Emma [Hayes’] drive. Emma is a very driven person. Her coaching acumen, her coaching experience and the players who have accepted the responsibility of wearing the Chelsea shirt and what comes with it.
“But what we have, and I’ll be very clear about this, is we have a very hungry, ambitious group.”
Since Liverpool’s 2014 title, no team has won the WSL title without an away win at Chelsea. Chelsea’s five league titles since 2014 may have had a big impact on that statistic, but Manchester City and Arsenal’s winning campaigns in 2016 and 2019 both included decisive wins at Kingsmeadow.
A win at Chelsea on Sunday would be a huge statement for United, but can they take that big step towards their first major trophy?
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