October has seen a continuation of Manchester United's dominance in the WSL. They sit at the top of the table, above Arsenal on goal difference with both Mary Earps and Nikita Parris playing vital roles.
Marc Skinner, who is also up for manager of the month, has led his side to three wins in three throughout October against Brighton, Leicester and Everton, 4-0, 2-0 and 4-0 respectively.
Earps has served as the ‘rock’ of the defence and Skinner has praised her for a ‘laser focus’ and discipline throughout the season. She has kept five clean sheets in total, (three in October) -with United the only team to do so in this 2022/23 campaign.
She has started all league games and could feature in her 150th WSL game on Sunday against Chelsea, demonstrating consistency and athletic prowess to keep her injury free and to remain in peak performance for selection availability week after week.
At the other end of the pitch, Parris scored two of the 10 United goals in October. Firstly her header against Leicester handed United three points and then she bagged herself another goal in the opening minutes at Walton Park Hall last weekend.
Parris is a new addition from Arsenal in the summer and has made a mark at the club early on. Her exceptional work rate to trouble the opponent's back line was evident against Brighton, matched with Earps’ phenomenal save to parry the ball away from her top corner is an example of the quality both players bring to the side.
Parris, aged 28 and Earps, 29, bring an abundance of experience to the United squad, with the duo part of the European Championship-winning side under Sarina Wiegman.
They are up for nominations against City’s Lauren Hemp and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, Arsenal’s Frida Maanum and Chelsea’s Pernille Harder.
Hemp may only have two goals so far this season but her direct style of play, running at players at top speed has caused havoc for any opposing side, helping to put City on the front foot, giving her two assists in the process. One against Leicester and the other versus Liverpool.
Shaw is the current WSL leading goal scorer with a tally of six from five games - five of those goals are within October alone and is predicted to break records this season with her flying performance so far.
Maanum, a midfielder with two goals to her name, netted both in October against Liverpool to get ahead early on, and again against West Ham to solidify the win. She also scored a technical first-touch volley in the Champions League triumph over Lyon.
Harder is one of Chelsea’s top scorers with a three-goal tally. Subbed in at 18 minutes to go, she found a goal against Brighton to help secure a 2-0 victory and got two past Everton by the hour mark.
Cast your vote for who you think deserves player of the month.
