As the 2026/27 Barclays Women’s Super League season commences, Manchester United Women are set to face the London City Lionesses in their opening match on Friday. This highly anticipated encounter will take place at the CopperJax Community Stadium in Bromley, starting at 19:00 BST, and will showcase the first competitive outing for United under their new head coach, Eva Olid.
Olid, who took the reins at Manchester United in early August, brings a fresh perspective to the club as they aim to improve upon their previous season's performance. The match against London City is particularly significant as it marks the beginning of the league's most extensive campaign to date, expanding from 12 to 14 teams this year, which adds a layer of excitement and competition.
For London City, this season represents their second in the WSL following a commendable sixth-place finish in their debut campaign during 2025/26. The Lionesses have made history as the first independent club in the league without an affiliated men's team, and under the ownership of Michele Kang, they are determined to establish themselves as a formidable force in women's football in England.
This summer has been busy for London City in the transfer market, highlighted by the signing of two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas. Joining her are former Barcelona teammate Maria Leon and ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps, who returns to England after her stint with Paris Saint-Germain. These high-profile additions reflect the club's ambition to compete for top honors in the league.
Although London City faced a setback against OL Lyonnes in their recent match, their pre-season preparations have been largely positive, with notable victories over teams like Atletico de Madrid, Benfica, and Sevilla. The enthusiasm among fans is palpable, as evidenced by the sell-out of season tickets, indicating a strong support base eager for the upcoming season.
The match against Manchester United is part of an exciting opening weekend for the WSL, which features seven fixtures in total. Chelsea will host Aston Villa on Saturday, while Sunday will see defending champions Manchester City begin their title defense against newly promoted Birmingham City. Additionally, Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace will face Liverpool and Everton, respectively, as they also make their return to the top tier.
In terms of team news, Manchester United's Olid has utilized a diverse squad during pre-season, giving minutes to 16 players in their final friendly against Manchester City. New acquisitions like Monica Jusu Bah and Andrea Medina have been integrated into the squad, with Medina potentially making her competitive debut against London City. Meanwhile, players Simi Awujo and Fridolina Rolfo have not participated in pre-season, and updates on their fitness may be provided by Olid later this week.
On the other side, London City’s head coach Eder Maestre is expected to share insights about his squad leading up to the match. Key players Kosovare Asllani and Malou Marcetto have been recovering from knee injuries, while Corinne Henson remains a long-term absentee. As both teams prepare for this crucial fixture, the stakes are high as they look to make a strong start to the season.
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