Twin Tests: Part II

September 21, 2025  Leigh Sports Village Stadium, Manchester

The last meeting was a wild seven-goal affair: Kelly pouncing early, Toone cancelling out, Caldentey from the spot, Maanum slaloming, Little stretching the lead — then nerves as McCabe’s errors allowed Terland and Le Tissier to drag it back to 4–3. For McCabe, that unease still lingers. 

For United, Arsenal have become a thorn difficult to pull. Winless in the last four WSL meetings (two defeats, two draws), their most recent success dates back to April 2023 — a Russo goal, now bittersweet, with the striker in Arsenal red.

Chloe Kelly’s return added spark, while academy defender Katie Reid continued her baptism of fire alongside Van Domselaar in goal. Creativity, risk, and consistency — the touchstones of Renée’s project — framed the night.

United struck first blows. Malard forced Van Domselaar into two saves inside ten minutes, her handling shaky but sufficient. Arsenal answered through Smith: a fizzing cross claimed by Tullis-Joyce, then a shot tipped onto the bar, her appeals for a corner ignored. Foord’s header drifted wide, then Blackstenius harried high, fed Russo, who spurned her chance against her old club. Foord nearly capped the half herself, drifting through a porous defence, her shot curling inches wide to gasps.

The second half tilted United’s way again. Malard broke through, only to be denied by Catley’s block — Arsenal’s defending brittle, three players drawn into one danger. United’s Park imposed herself in midfield, her very name etched into Arsenal’s collective memory of past struggles. Zigiotti whistled over before Slegers turned to her bench: Maanum, Hinds, Kelly. Maanum injected bite, shooting just wide; Kelly’s cross claimed, her follow-up skewed. Mead joined late, but Arsenal’s final balls faltered. Mariona’s free-kick fell tame, Toone’s effort drifted wide. The deadlock endured.

Renée’s verdict was blunt: “Our basics weren’t good enough. A clean sheet is positive, but one shot on target tells its own story.”

Yet the night carried one positive: the partnership of Catley and 18-year-old Reid. Catley’s leadership steadied, Reid’s physicality stifled Malard, her composure striking at this level. “It was tough,” Reid admitted, “but a clean sheet gives us something to build on.”

The draw leaves Arsenal third, trailing United and flawless Chelsea. The season still awaits ignition.

Manchester United 0 – 0 Arsenal