23 August 2026

Manchester United Women hosted Liverpool at Carrington in a pre-season fixture as they searched for their first victory under Eva Olid.

Manchester United Women created the first clear opening of the contest when an Ella Toone cross was met by Jayde Riviere, but the Canada international sent her attempt wide of the post.

United then moved forward through Julia Zigiotti, who released Jess Park and, after neat link-up play with Riviere, Park lifted the ball into the area, only for Ella Toone’s acrobatic effort to sail over the bar.

Liverpool responded when Marie Höbinger saw an attempt blocked by the United defence inside the penalty box.

Maya Le Tissier fashioned the best chance when she sent a long pass towards Elisabeth Terland, who used her strength to get past the Liverpool defence and race through on goal. The Norway forward went one-on-one with the goalkeeper but could only pull her shot wide.

Cornelia Kapocs answered for the visitors with a beautifully curled effort on target, but Phallon Tullis-Joyce produced an excellent save to keep the scores level.

United tried to regain control and a brilliant run from Jess Park nearly resulted in a goal, but her through ball towards Anna Sandberg was deflected just away from the Swede’s path.

United had the first half-chance of the second half when Toone broke free and delivered a ball into the box, but Terland’s flick was comfortably handled by the goalkeeper.

There was a disastrous moment for new Manchester United goalkeeper Janina Leitzig when Maya Le Tissier’s back pass bounced awkwardly off the German keeper’s hip and into the net, giving Liverpool a 1-0 lead.

United replied in ideal fashion when Hinata Miyazawa drove forward superbly and slipped the ball through to Terland. The striker showed tremendous strength to force the defender off the ball before squaring it perfectly for Toone to score and make it 1-1.

After 54 minutes, Dominique Janssen was handed a fine opportunity from a free kick, and her well-struck effort dipped just wide of the post.

However, Liverpool went back in front when Ceri Holland turned the ball home after Leitzig had initially done well to keep out a close-range effort.

Lea Schuller was then introduced and saw an effort blocked by the Liverpool defence.

The German came closest to finding an equaliser, but her shot drifted just wide after Hanna Lundkvist had pulled the ball back for her.

At the final whistle, United had suffered their second successive defeat of pre-season.

The Red Devils are next in action against Manchester City next Saturday in their final pre-season outing before the new campaign begins.