FEATURED: Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion – Match Facts | OneFootball

Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion will battle it out for a place in the 2022/2023 Vitality Women’s FA Cup final this evening when they contest their semi-final tie at the Leigh Sports Village.

The Red Devils go into the game as the overwhelming favourites but there could be a real freshness about opponents Brighton & Hove Albion who are under the guidance of a new head coach in Melissa Phillips.

Ahead of the match, FAWSL Full-Time have reviewed the statistics relating to the two clubs. Here are three key facts for Manchester United’s Vitality Women’s FA Cup semi-final against Brighton & Hove Albion.

A Wembley debut awaits the winners

Neither side have ever contested a major domestic cup final therefore the winners of this evening’s tie will walk out at Wembley for the very first time next month.

In terms of Wembley experience, the Manchester United squad contains more players who have previously played at the national stadium in their careers; the likes of Mary Earps, Ella Toone, Nikita Parris and Alessia Russo have all been regulars at Wembley with England in recent years. Parris, Maria Thorisdottir and Aoife Mannion have all been part of squads that have reached Vitality Women’s FA Cup finals in the past.

Galton the biggest danger to Brighton?

Manchester United forward Leah Galton has scored in each of her side’s last three matches against Brighton & Hove Albion. The player has scored four goals in those three games including a brace as The Red Devils won 4-0 at Broadfield Stadium last time out.

In total, Galton has had goal involvements in six of the last nine goals that Manchester United have scored against the Sussex club. The forward is very much a thorn in the side of Brighton & Hove Albion.

Goals a struggle for The Seagulls

Brighton and Hove Albion have gone five games without scoring against Manchester United. The Seagulls haven’t found the back of the net in 495 minutes against The Red Devils, former midfielder Aileen Whelan netting their last goal against Manchester United back in February 2020.

The last three trips to the Leigh Sports Village have seen Brighton & Hove Albion fire blanks. The Sussex club have not scored in any of their four league fixtures in the North West, however, they did manage to find the back of the net in their only domestic cup fixture in Leigh, Kayleigh Green netting a penalty in a 2-1 defeat in the 2019/2020 FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup.

The Vitality Women’s FA Cup semi-final tie between Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion kicks-off at 5.15pm. Tickets remain on-sale and can be purchased by clicking here.

Statistics: Soccerway