Manchester United have announced the squad for their women’s team to compete in the forthcoming season in the FA Women’s Championship and former midfielder Katie Zelem has rejoined the Reds.
The team will be led by former England international Casey Stoney in the club’s first campaign in the new reformed Championship.
Commenting on the squad that has been built-up, Stoney said: “We’ve gone young, we’ve gone exciting, we’ve gone entertaining.
“I’m more than aware that we’re bringing 21 strangers together but I’m really excited about the squad and the future of this team.“
The Reds have certainly made moves to sign a lot of talented players in a short space of time after being
United’s women’s team will be captained by Alex Greenwood, the 24 year old left back joined from Liverpool and has captained England at youth level.
She joins a United side which has been bolstered by a number of former Reds who left the Old Trafford set-up when there was no path to a senior women’s team after the age of 16 including Zelem, Emily Ramsey, Naomi Hartley, Fran Bentley, Millie Turner, Kirsty Hanson, and Ella Toone.
https://twitter.com/katiezel/status/1017763710117523456
Oldham-born midfielder, Katie Zelem, 22, left Juventus after just one season in which she won the league in Italy to rejoin the Reds – the team where she began her football education.
Zelem said on Twitter that she was delighted to be joining United, saying: “Over the moon to announce that I’ve signed for Manchester United, adding: “Returning back to the club where it all started for me was a huge opportunity I couldn’t turn down.
“I’m excited to be back where I belong and continue on the journey I had to leave many years ago.”
Zelem, who has yet to earn a senior England cap, has taken the number 10 shirt for the inaugural season with United.
Former Manchester City forward Ella Toone has also rejoined the Reds and has been handed the number 7 shirt.
MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN’S TEAM SQUAD 2018/19
Goalkeepers
1 – Siobhan Chamberlain
13 – Emily Ramsey
22 – Fran Bentley
Defenders
2 – Martha Harris
3 – Alex Greenwood
4 – Amy Turner
12 – Naomi Hartley
15 – Lucy Roberts
20 – Kirsty Smith
Midfielders
6 – Aimee Palmer
8 – Mollie Green
10 – Katie Zelem
14 – Charlie Devlin
16 – Lauren James
17 – Lizzie Arnot
21 – Millie Turner
Forwards
7 – Ella Toone
9 – Jess Sigsworth
11 – Leah Galton
18 – Kirsty Hanson
19 – Ebony Salmon