🏏 Sun, 2 Nov 2025 12:00 GMT
Brighton Women
vs
Manchester United Women
Positions estimated (no formation data from the API)
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- Two Nadeshiko Japan regulars go head to head. Manchester United start Hinata Miyazawa, the 25-year-old who won the Golden Boot at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. At 157cm she relies on pace and close control, and she was named player of the match for a stunning strike in the Manchester derby this season. Brighton's answer at the back is fellow Japan international Moeka Minami.
- Brighton carry a clear Urawa Reds Ladies lineage. Takako Seike became the first player to score a hat-trick on her WSL debut, having previously swept the WE League scoring charts, MVP award and Best XI selection in 2023-24. Moeka Minami, a Serie A double winner with AS Roma, completed a permanent move in June 2025, reuniting the pair who once played together in Saitama.
- There is another Japanese international on Brighton's bench. Fuka Tsunoda, 21, arrived in September 2025 after winning five domestic honours with Urawa, including back-to-back WE League titles. A holding midfielder who reads danger early and wins the ball high up the pitch, she is a natural option if Brighton need to steady the middle of the park late on.
- Several United players return to the Amex with history here. Elisabeth Terland scored 13 goals for Brighton and finished second in the WSL Golden Boot race before moving north in summer 2024. Captain Maya Le Tissier, still only 23 and a PFA WSL Team of the Year pick, also came through at Brighton, as did Sweden holding midfielder Julia Zigiotti Olme.
- Both goalkeepers are imposing figures. Brighton trust 180cm Nigeria international Chiamaka Nnadozie, signed from Paris FC in summer 2025 and a 2025 CAF award winner at just 24. United counter with 185cm American Phallon Tullis-Joyce, who shared the WSL Golden Glove in 2024-25 after recording 13 clean sheets.
- Brighton's midfield blends experience with youth. Fran Kirby, the 157cm playmaker nicknamed 'Mini Messi', won the PFA Player of the Year award twice during her Chelsea years. Alongside her is Serbia international Jelena Cankovic, a two-time WSL champion with Chelsea who also played for Barcelona. Holding it together is 22-year-old captain Maisie Symons, named skipper in summer 2025 and first called up by England in March of that year.
- United's attacking options are formidable. Academy graduate Ella Toone, a Euro 2022 winner with England, pulls the strings from the attacking midfield role. Jess Park, part of the Euro 2025-winning squad, joined from Manchester City in September 2025 on a four-year deal. Leading the line is France international Melvine Malard, a four-time Champions League winner during her time at Lyon.
- The wide areas promise plenty. Brighton field 22-year-old Rosa Kafaji, on loan from Arsenal after scoring 28 goals for BK Hacken plus four in the Champions League, and 20-year-old Carla Camacho, signed from Real Madrid in August 2025 with U-17 World Cup and U-19 European Championship medals already collected. United respond with Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Jayde Riviere at right-back and 22-year-old Anna Sandberg, who arrived from BK Hacken for a record fee for a Swedish female player.
- Defensive experience could swing it. Brighton pair Minami with Republic of Ireland international Caitlin Hayes, a January 2025 arrival from Celtic whose aerial strength underpins the back line. United look to Netherlands captain Dominique Janssen, a WSL winner with Arsenal and a back-to-back Bundesliga champion at Wolfsburg, whose passing from deep often doubles as the first phase of the attack.