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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Louise Wilkes

Manchester United win emphatically in front of a Maltese record crowd

Marc Skinner’s side travelled to Malta for an early January training camp ahead of the Women’s Super League restart on January 15th.

While there they faced local side Birkirkara FC at Hibernians Stadium to wrap up their warm-weather fitness camp, coming away 10-0 winners in front of a Maltese record crowd of 1,053.

The previous record for a local women's game was 764 when Malta hosted Italy during a Euro 2020 qualifier in 2019.

Skinner told MUTV: “It was a great game, it was very difficult - Birkirkara used a deep lock formation. But what we have shown from our aspect is that we’ve evolved from last year.

“For me, it's more about the occasion. It's more about coming in and being part of our wonderful supporters in Malta obviously having the oldest supporters club and our history for Manchester United, it's really important for us to come and play our part in that.

“Overall a fantastic night lots to learn from them I hope, and lots to learn for us too.”

Alessia Russo and Vilde Boe Risa both found the net twice with Lucia Garcia, Grace Clinton, Jade Moore, Nikita Parris, Rachel Williams and Martha Thomas also getting themselves on the score sheet.

It was also a golden opportunity for defender Aoife Manion to get match minutes under her belt after suffering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury back in March 2022.

When asked about the number of goals scored, Skinner remarked: “It was more important the types of goals. Lucia’s goal was mesmerising it's just the intent of us behind that and I hope to see a lot more from her going into the second part of the season because she's a wonderful talent.”

On the left flank, Garcia took a touch inside and struck the ball with her right foot from outside the box straight into the goalkeeper's top corner, to extend United’s lead in the first half.

Skinner added: “But then, even in the second half, the headers that finished them off right at the end, they hit places the goalkeeper can't reach, regardless of the keeper.

"So for us, it was a lot of great quality finishes moments we can still improve on but, it was a good way to get the cobwebs out before the game next week."

United now prepare for the return of WSL action in their first league fixture after the Christmas break against Liverpool on Sunday 15th January at Leigh Sports Village, kicking off at 14:05.

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