Masterclass 2 min read

Casey Stoney

Casey Stoney
Photography by Paul Cooper
Author
Tony Hodson
Published on
October 28 2021

fa women's super league, november 8 2020

Manchester United 1Arsenal 0

Toone (83)

In the first of three exclusive Masterclass features with The Coaches’ Voice, former England international Casey Stoney gives an in-depth insight into the match strategy and tactical adjustments that inspired her then Manchester United team’s home win against Arsenal in the 2020/21 FA Women's Super League season.

The fixture was the sixth of what was still only United’s second campaign in the top tier of English football. Victory over one of the traditional giants of the women’s game, then managed by Joe Montemurro, represented a major step forward in the young team’s bid to establish themselves as a genuine force. Stoney explains how she set her team up to minimise the threat of star striker Vivianne Miedema, pressurise the Arsenal build and, in possession, create and exploit wide overloads.

It’s a fascinating feature with Stoney, who departed United at the end of that season. She is now working alongside two-time World Cup winner Jill Ellis in her new role as head coach of the newly formed San Diego NWSL in the United States.

Starting line-ups
Manchester United WomenArsenal Women
2711214171412777182413622151321711919
Manchester United Women4-2-3-1
Arsenal Women4-3-3
27Mary Earps
1Manuela Zinsberger
11Leah Galton
3Lotte Wubben-Moy
21Millie Turner
6Leah Williamson
4Amy Turner
22Viktoria Schnaderbeck
17Ona Batlle
15Katie McCabe
14Jackie Groenen
13Leah Wälti
12Hayley Ladd
21Malin Gut
77Tobin Heath
7Daniëlle van de Donk
7Ella Toone
9Beth Mead
18Kirsty Hanson
19Caitlin Foord
24Christen Press
11Vivianne Miedema