United boost Europe aims
UNITED got their quest for a Champions League berth back on track with a comfortable 3-0 victory at home to Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League.
Kirsty Hanson opened the scoring with a shot from outside the box was ricocheted off the bar and in.
Jess Sigsworth connecting with a pinpoint Lucy Staniforth delivery to head home from a free-kick before Katie Zelem made it three with a late header.
“I think the early goal helped,” said United boss Casey Stoney.
“It settled us, especially against a team that’s going to sit in a 5-3-2 and not come out much and I think we can just settle into the game then.
“I’m seeing competitiveness that in the training environment, I’m seeing that in the game, and obviously it was a good win going into the next game.”
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CHANGING OF THE GUARD
DEAN Henderson has had to wait for a run of games at United, but now his chance has arrived he’s making the most of it.
The keeper was one of the few to emerge from the dour draw at Crystal Palace with any credit and he was rock solid at the Etihad.
Henderson did what was asked of him with ease, making goalkeeping look easy, which is what you want a keeper to do. He pushed an Aleks Zinchenko shot away from danger in the first half and showed good handling to keep hold of an early Ilkay Gundogan effort.
The academy graduate also played a vital role in United’s second. He contributed to a United goal in the win at West Ham in December with his distribution and he did so again at the Etihad.
Rather than sending the ball long and inviting pressure back onto the defence, Henderson took his time and sent an accurate throw out to Luke Shaw, who seconds later had the ball in the back of the net.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s trust in David de Gea has looked unbreakable this season, but Henderson could well be the man for tomorrow as well as today.
Right now, he’s making a very convincing case that he deserves to be United’s next No. 1.
He has nine clean sheets in 14 starts this season.
Henderson has played under pressure in these games, realising it might be his only chance to fulfil his dream, and that he’s done so well speaks for his character.
MARTIAL’S IMPACT
ANTHONY Martial’s powers have been diminished for United recently, his two goals in 15 games, both against a beleaguered Southampton, a poor return and his contribution aside from that almost non-existent.
Rather than rising to the challenge of Edinson Cavani’s arrival, Martial looked to have shrunk in the heat of competition for his role as United’s No. 9. But after a couple of games on the sidelines, and with Cavani’s own injury opening the door to an unexpected start, he bounced back to form impressively at the Etihad.
He is a confidence player and maybe his contribution to United’s opening goal, winning a penalty inside the first 40 seconds, sparked him into life.
He was impressive after that and one moment in the second half summed it up, showing superb strength on the ball to hold off challenges from Rodri and John Stones to drive United forward.
Martial didn’t get the goal he deserved, and he did miss a big chance to make it 3-0 with just over 20 minutes remaining, but his all-round performance was a reminder of his undoubted quality.