Report and match highlights as Manchester United cruised to a historic win in front of a record crowd at Old Trafford, with goals from five different scorers; full-back Ona Batlle scored a second-half stunner; substitute Rachel Williams was on target for the first time in United colours
Sunday 4 December 2022 13:28, UK
Manchester United registered their biggest-ever win at Old Trafford, in front of a record-breaking 30,000-strong crowd, as five different scorers netted against a helpless Aston Villa to seal an emphatic 5-0 victory.
Captain Katie Zelem capped her 100th Women's Super League appearance by opening the scoring (13), before Leah Galton struck United's second (28), with further goals from Alessia Russo (51), Ona Batlle (76) and finally substitute Rachel Williams in second-half stoppage time.
The pick of the bunch was scored by Spain full-back Batlle, who thundered a shot in off the underside of the crossbar, before teeing up Williams to score her first goal for the club in the 93rd minute.
Villa displayed glimpses of promise, albeit brief, but could not handle the style and tempo of Marc Skinner's impressive side, who exhibited all the hallmarks of a team with serious WSL title credentials this season.
It was Zelem who sparked the rout and from then on the victory was routine, inevitable even. Ella Toone, United's creative catalyst, was predictably involved in the opener, pulling the strings centrally to release Batlle whose cross was attacked by Russo.
Zelem bided her time at the back post with goalkeeper Hannah Hampton making a mess of an attempted clearance, allowing the midfielder - born and bred in Manchester - to lash the ball into the net.
Galton then sliced through the heart of the Villa defence 15 minutes later, collecting a perfectly weighted Toone pass and dispatching expertly with the outside of her boot. Precision football played at a devastatingly quick pace.
Skinner's side were in full flow when Hayley Ladd initiated a move six minutes into the second half, spotting Toone scurrying down the right channel before the forward once again demonstrated her telepathic relationship with Russo, finding her late run to the back post with enviable accuracy.
The striker applied a neat first-time finish, scoring her third goal in three games after returning from injury. "She makes me look good a lot of the time," Toone said of Russo post-match.
The game was all but wrapped up, but not before Batlle put her name up in lights with the goal of the afternoon. The hit was breathtaking, made all the sweeter by the way it struck the underside of the crossbar before going in. "She only scores bangers," former Ireland international Emma Byrne eulogised on Sky Sports' live coverage.
Williams rounded off a ruthless attacking display when Batlle, still full of running in the 93rd minute of the game, nipped in behind Villa's flailing defence and laid the ball on a plate for the veteran forward to tap in.
Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:
Manchester United are so aesthetically pleasing it's no wonder they attracted a record crowd of some 30,000 people to Old Trafford to witness a record-breaking success. They call it the 'Theatre of Dreams' - Aston Villa will remember Saturday as the stuff of nightmares.
United were razor-sharp in all departments and look every bit like a side capable of mounting a protracted title challenge. It was important that they consolidate, having beaten Arsenal two weeks prior, who themselves present one of the biggest threats to United's impending title push. They are, at the very least, firmly part of the chasing pack.
Ella Toone was effervescent all game, not to mention the guile and quality of Ona Batlle. We are talking about ready-made stars. United are well-equipped to go all the way this term and need little encouragement - their team is packed with youthful exuberance, desperate for a chance to prove themselves. I, for one, need no more convincing. United are the real deal.
Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner:
"It means the world. It means the world to play in front of our fans at this wonderful stadium. The irony is, I wasn't that happy with our performance. There were moments, quality goals. But we didn't move like we normally do.
"We had a word at half-time. As a manager, you'd think I would be happy with the result, which of course I am, but we want to put performances on. We want to be better.
"It was just about movement. We're not a team that likes to have shadows on us. We block our passing lines we have to move out of them and at times it looked like we were allowing individuals to make their decisions.
"It wasn't choice words, it was reminders. Because I want to see progression. Our quality was there, you can see that. I'm not angry or upset - we just want to set standards really high here. That's all it is."
Manchester United forward Ella Toone:
"We're feeling good. We're feeling confident as a group that we can go out and put on big performances like we did today. Our standards are that high that we aren't 100 per cent happy with that performance.
"We want more from ourselves. But we're happy with the three points and five goals.
"[Alessia Russo] makes me look good a lot of the time. We've got that relationship on and off the pitch. That always helps. I know what Alessia's strengths are. I work well with her and we link up well."
Manchester United are next in action in the Manchester derby on December 11, taking on rivals Manchester City at Etihad Stadium in a 12.30pm kick-off.
Aston Villa will host title-challengers Arsenal on the same day - that one gets under way at 4.15pm, live on Sky Sports.
