Manchester United can still establish themselves among the elite despite FA Cup final loss

Despite Manchester United’s 1-0 loss to Chelsea in the Women’s FA Cup final, the WSL title is still well in sight.

Manchester United and Chelsea put on a breathtaking display for the whole 90 minutes of the Women’s FA Cup final, where attacking seemed to be the only option for both teams. This goal-minded ruthlessness is why the two are going blow for blow at the top of the 2022/23 Women’s Super League table.

A world record-breaking 77,390 fans were in attendance to be entertained by the two juggernauts of English football and the only thing that was disappointing for United fans was the full-time result.

The 53rd Women’s FA Cup final started explosively for Marc Skinner’s Red Devils, with Leah Galton finding the net within the first 23 seconds of the match, causing a thunderous roar from the red side of Wembley. However, the offside flag killed the sound of joy and birthed jeering from boastful but relieved blues fans.

Manchester United were the best team throughout the game but, similarly to Erik ten Hag‘s side sometimes, they struggled to find the finishing touch in the final third, and when your opponent possesses Sam Kerr in their starting XI, wasted chances are something you can’t afford.

The Australian, who finished third in last year’s Ballon d’Or Féminin, found herself free at the back post in the 68th minute after a rapid Chelsea counter-attack and slotted the ball away and somersaulted in the glory of the winning goal.

Manchester United are yet to beat Chelsea this season, but they went toe-to-toe with their title rivals – the WSL is heading for an exciting finish going into the last games of the season.

United are currently first, a point ahead of Chelsea, and their last two games are against bitter combatants Manchester City who are fourth and Liverpool who are seventh.

Whatever happens, the women’s team’s rise is extraordinary considering they were only formed five years ago and their skilful and attractive football is reminiscent of United’s glorious teams of the past and it is beautiful to watch.

This final although it ended in a frustrating result the players shouldn’t be disheartened as it is the first of many to come and their focus should already be on the potentially historic next two weeks.

Should Manchester United finish as WSL winners, or even just short, this combined with an appearance in the FA Cup final will only help solidify their legitimacy among the elite of the Women’s game.