Man Utd make WSL statement with big win against Reading in front of record crowd

Manchester United confirmed their Women's Super League title credentials with a 4-0 win against Reading on Saturday afternoon.

Marc Skinner's side comfortably won their opening home game of the season thanks to goals from captain Katie Zelem, Alessia Russo and a double from new signing Maya Le Tissier. The result leaves them level on points with Arsenal at the top of the table.

It was a momentous occasion for United, as they broke their attendance record at Leigh Sports Village by selling more than 7,200 tickets. Many of those fans came to watch several Lionesses in action, with Mary Earps, Ella Toone and Russo all starting for the hosts.

Red Devils boss Skinner urged his team to be more fluent in attack before the game. "I want us to be more exciting in our one-on-one situations - I want us to be a team," he told United's website. It's fair to assume the United boss wasn't disappointed at full-time.

They needed just four minutes to break the deadlock against Reading when Le Tissier, who arrived from Brighton in the summer, scored from Zelem's corner. It was a cheeky finish, too, as the 20-year-old defender flicked the ball over goalkeeper Grace Moloney.

Zelem got the chance to double United's lead moments later when Moloney brought Russo down in the box. The skipper stepped up and confidently dispatched the penalty. It was a lovely moment for Zelem, who was making her 100th appearance for United.

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Zelem and Le Tissier were at it again in the 25th minute, as the captain's corner again found the new recruit in the box. Le Tissier headed in on this occasion to make it 3-0.

Russo all but ended the contest just before half-time when she made it 4-0. It was a trademark goal from the 23-year-old, as she towered over her marker to nod in Ona Batlle's cross. There's a reason why Russo has become England's first-choice striker.

The game quietened down after the break, with chances coming few and far between. England star Nikita Parris was introduced late on following her summer move from Arsenal to United and almost added a fifth, heading just wide in the 80th minute.

Parris looked bright following her introduction, and United fans will be excited to see the Champions League winner in action this season.

There are four more WSL fixtures this weekend, all taking place on Sunday. The action starts with Aston Villa's game against Manchester City at Villa Park before games between West Ham and Everton, Leicester and Tottenham and Liverpool and Chelsea.

Arsenal won their opening game of the season on Friday by beating Brighton 4-0 at Meadow Park. United are back in action next Sunday when they take on West Ham at Victoria Road. Reading are also playing that day, as they face Brighton at the Amex.

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