Nikita Parris believes the competition for places within Manchester United’s ranks is pivotal for a genuine title challenge and issued a stark warning to WSL opponents Aston Villa who travel to Old Trafford this weekend.
The Lionesses forward joined United in the summer from Arsenal in the afterglow of England’s Euro 2022 glory and has relished an exhilarating start to the season. With three goals in all competitions, the 28-year-old is United ’s leading goalscorer and since opening her account against Aston Villa in the FA WSL Cup as a substitute in October, she has led the line in every league match.
United sit third in the WSL table level on points with Arsenal and three behind leaders Chelsea but with a game in hand and Parris' uptick in form at club level has been critical in United's arguably surprising title challenge. Parris owed her recent exploits to the merciless competition for places within Marc Skinner’s ranks.
“It leaves no complacency,” Parris said while speaking on MUTV. “Training and matches are the most important and we have to deliver as a team and individuals. And I think in order to win the WSL and win trophies consistently it has to be the best players on the pitch performing at the time and that’s what you want to be. You want to be on the pitch every single match day and training hard.”
With four other clubs written on an impressive CV, Parris hailed the ease of settling into life at her new club and distinguished the United dressing room as a major component in doing so.
“The dressing room is really unique,” she said. “The girls are top drawer. The atmosphere is unbelievable. And you feel settled as soon as you come through the doors and I think that’s very unique.”
United welcome Aston Villa to Old Trafford on the weekend when they return to WSL action for the first time since their dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Arsenal. Parris is one of the few players who has played under the blinding lights of the storied stadium, having done so with the Lionesses in the summer.
But Parris believes that the Villains will be in for an exceedingly daunting prospect on Saturday when having to navigate the match while surrounded by the United faithful.
“The support has been unbelievable,” Parris said. “They follow us home and away and the voices they’re in, strong, very strong. You can hear them over most home fans. And long may that continue. We want to make the fans happy and we want to bring trophies to this club and we need them as a twelfth fan.
She added: “I think to pack the stadium at Old Trafford with our fans, no away fans will be here and the away team will be very uncomfortable.”
Having got off the mark this season with a sublime strike on her right foot from outside the area against Villa, Parris hopes to carry on her form come the weekend.
“It was a great first goal to begin the campaign and for me, it’s about taking the steps forward and scoring more goals and creating more goals.”
United kick-off at Old Trafford against Aston Villa on Saturday 3 December at 12:30pm.
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