Casey Stoney’s side are second behind Chelsea but will be without key players for the final months of the season.
Injury could hit Manchester United’s first Women’s Super League title claim, former club goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain believes.
Casey Stoney ‘s side are currently sitting second behind league leaders Chelsea heading into the Manchester Derby on Friday night and the title race is still open. The cost of United’s title has come as a surprise – in just their second season in the top tier – and they found themselves in the hunt with just a month or two left of the season.
But the former England international Chamberlain, who joined the United States when they were formed in 2018, believes her former club will miss out on the top spot on due to lack of squad strength.
Tobin Heath, who has been instrumental for Stoney’s side since signing in September, was ruled out for 10-12 weeks in January with an ankle injury and Lauren James has also been ruled out. get to the side.
“I think Heath is fundamental to him [a title challenge] but you also watch Lauren James, Alessia Russo, they are big players for United, “Chamberlain said Amas. “They are the three players there who are key to Manchester United’s success and unfortunately they will be without them for some time.
“Hopefully Lauren James won’t be out for too long but it’s definitely a big blow as they don’t have a big squad.
“That’s probably one of the biggest things Manchester City have done this year. You look at the size of their squad, the depth they have is really good. He’s up there trying to compete with the depth that Chelsea have got. “
United come up against City on Friday night in a crunch match at Academy Stadium. Stoney’s side are looking to get back into winning streaks after a disappointing 2-0 loss to Reading at the weekend, when they conceded twice from set pieces.
“I don’t think you’ll see defending the same. I think if Casey Stoney has made any kind of impact with how she feels about that game Manchester United will make sure they are defending set pieces properly, ”Chamberlain explained.
“Casey is so meticulous in her planning and in organizing and making sure everything is done in a certain way. She will be very disappointed with the way these set pieces were defended and ultimately how the game was lost. She pays close attention to detail so she makes sure her team is well-versed in understanding what she wants. ”
Chelsea’s win against Arsenal on Wednesday night put them three points away from United at the top. With City two points behind Stoney’s side with a game in hand, winning both sides would send a strong message about their title credentials.
“I think the biggest thing for City is the mindset and the ability to come back. Everyone wrote them, like the Premier League. ” Chamberlain said. “You look at the players they brought in.
“Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood have returned from Lyon they have that winning mindset, they are competitors and the Americans who came in are the winners, they are the kind of players who drive City advanced in the title challenges.
“For United, I don’t think if they lose they are out of the race. But if Manchester United lose two games in a row it is a question of what will it do to their minds and do they still believe? Pulling the end of the world is not a loss, as it will damage your mind and beliefs more than it really hurts your league position. ”
This season BT Sport features more Barclays FA Women ‘s Super League matches than ever before. Watch Man City v Man Utd on BT Sport 2 from 6.30pm on Friday 12 February.