As the start of the WSL looms ever closer, so does the day that Maya Le Tissier leads the team out at Old Trafford for the first time in her career.
She replaces captain of 5 years Katie Zelem, who signed for American side Angel City in the Summer transfer window.
Maya Le Tissier has certainly cemented her name into Marc Skinner’s side, having played every minute of every game across four different competitions for United in the 2023/24 season.
In this, she has played her part in some historic games in the last campaign, including United’s first Champions League outing, their first victory over five-time WSL champions Chelsea, and the side’s first-ever FA Cup title.
Her impressive display across the season was recognised with the awarding of the Women’s Player’s Player of the Year award, in which equal votes between her and fellow Lioness Ella Toone saw the recognition shared. Toone earned the vice-captain role for this season, becoming a deputy in the absence of the no.4.
The 22-year-old joined United from Brighton and Hove Albion in 2022 and has become a vital part of Skinner’s defence in little time, frequently playing as part of a defence duo with Millie Turner, another United player who is capped for England.
She immediately became a talking point at United, scoring twice on her debut against Reading at Leigh Sports Village in 2022, opening the scoring in just the 4th minute on a dream debut.
In her first season as a red, she played her role in a record 14 clean sheets and helped United on their way to conceding the fewest goals of any team in the league, with only 12 conceded over the course of the campaign.
Looking to continue her impressive impact within the side wearing the armband, she is set to lead the squad out at Old Trafford on the 21st of September as Skinner’s side take on West Ham United in their WSL opener.
Looking to start their sixth WSL campaign in promising form, Skinner will be hoping for a repeat of the equivalent fixture from last season, where United triumphed in a 5-0 victory.
Le Tissier played the full 90 minutes of this fixture, and indeed the reverse fixture in March, and will certainly be looking to have the same level of impact both on the 21st and throughout the campaign.
She will be leading her side out in the absence of back-line regular Hannah Blundell, however, who has recently announced her pregnancy, with full support from the club.
At just 22 years old, Le Tissier’s standout performances within the side are indicative of a promising future, as she starts a new chapter as Manchester United captain.
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