The wait is over: WSL countdown – London City Lionesses vs. Manchester United

The wait is finally over. The 2026/27 Women’s Super League (WSL) season gets underway this evening, September 4, with the opening fixture starting a new campaign.

Every day leading up to the inaugural blow of the whistle, The Boar Sport has previewed a pair of WSL sides facing off on opening weekend, analysing their summer business and setting expectations for the campaign ahead. Today, we’re looking at our final set of teams, who are kick-starting the entire season with their match: London City Lionesses vs. Manchester United.

London City Lionesses

London City Lionesses marked a respectable WSL debut with a sixth-place finish, collecting 27 points from 22 matches. Despite there being questions about how they would fare, especially after a significant squad overhaul, they quickly proved that they belong in topflight football. While their form dipped after a generally strong start following Eder Maestre’s January appointment, relegation was never a genuine concern, allowing them to build a solid foundation as the WSL’s only fully independent side.

With their sights now firmly set on a Champions League place, London City have wasted little time showing how serious they are about closing the gap. Backed by ambitious owner Michelle Kang, they have been among the busiest clubs in the transfer market, consistently making headlines with statement signing after statement signing.

I’m hungry to win, to be better day after day, to fight with my teammates for the victory

Alexia Putellas

Their first major addition was former Lionesses goalkeeper Mary Earps from PSG. A 2023 World Cup Golden Glove winner and key member of England’s triumphant Euro 2022 side, Earps brings elite international pedigree and extensive WSL experience from her stint at Manchester United. However, her arrival does not guarantee a starting role, with Elene Lete having started all 22 league matches last season and continuing to impress in preseason. Whoever claims the No. 1 spot, the competition and depth will benefit London City.

The club’s, and arguably the WSL’s, most eye-catching signing, is two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas. Arriving off a trophy-laden season with Barcelona, including a fourth Champions League title, Putellas brings elite technical quality, experience, and an unrivalled winning mentality to the team. Her leadership and championship pedigree align perfectly with Kang’s ambitious vision. As Putellas herself put it: “I’m hungry to win, to be better day after day, to fight with my teammates for the victory.”

The real test will be seeing how well this individual talent can mesh with the existing core of the team

Joining her is fellow Barcelona teammate Mapi León. A 27-trophy winner with the Catalan giants and one of the game’s most accomplished left-footed centre-backs, her arrival should add composure and leadership to a backline that was defined by defensive errors last season. León’s possession-focused mindset positions her as someone who breaks lines and dictates play from the back, strengthening the team’s build-up. Her established understanding with Spanish teammates Putellas and Corrales, forged at both club and international level, also offers instant chemistry on the left side.

The recruitment drive has not stopped there, with Nicole Anyomi, Janni Thomsen, Kadidiatou Diani, and Rosa Kafaji further bolstering the squad. The club has also secured extensions for key young talents Freya Godfrey, Poppy Pattinson, and Lete, while the return of Danielle van de Donk from injury at the tail of end of last season provides another boost.

Yet assembling elite talent is only the first step. The real test will be seeing how well their individual quality can mesh with the existing core of the team to form tactical cohesion. If London City can achieve that, they could quickly become a serious long-term threat, though a Champions League spot push will be a massive challenge.

Manchester United

Manchester United’s 2025/26 campaign was defined by a consistent push for the top three, spending all of February in second place and looking well positioned for Champions League qualification. United consistently showed plenty of resilience, regularly fighting back from losing positions to secure results. However, a late-season dip in form, coupled with costly draws against mid-table opposition, saw them frustratingly lose their grip on those top spots and ultimately finish fourth.

Eva Olid replaced Marc Skinner after his five-year tenure

Following on from the season, the club have endured a relatively quiet summer transfer window, consisting of more departures and internal restructuring than flashy recruits.

The biggest change came at the helm, as Eva Olid replaced Marc Skinner after his five-year tenure. The Spaniard arrives from Heart of Midlothian, where she transformed the Edinburgh side from league strugglers into champions, securing their first Scottish Women’s Premier League title, while also receiving the SWPL Manager of the Season. United will hope she can replicate that success in Manchester and take the club to the next level.

One of their main departures was forward Melvine Malard, who completed a blockbuster transfer to league rivals Chelsea. The club also trimmed senior experience across the pitch, moving on from defensive mainstay Millie Turner and midfielder Lisa Naalsund, while long-serving figures like Leah Galton and Hannah Blundell departed upon the expiration of their contracts.

In response, United moved quite slowly to restructure their squad. The headline arrival came late in the window with Swedish forward Monica Jusu Bah joining from BK Häcken, having scored 16 goals last season and helped the club lift the Women’s Europa Cup. Reinforcements also arrived through the spine, with defender Andrea Medina and versatile Mexican international Rebeca Bernal joining the squad. Alongside the promotion of academy prospects Layla Drury, who is United’s youngest goalscorer, and Scarlett Hill to professional contracts, United seem to be building a younger, more dynamic squad.

This sold-out opening fixture brings plenty to be excited about

With a quieter window than most, United will face increased pressure from an improving mid-table pack, with several rivals significantly strengthening their squads this summer. Their disappointing preseason, which included defeats to Newcastle United, Liverpool, and Manchester City, only adds to the need for a quick turnaround if they are to mount another challenge near the top. As a whole, they have a strong core, but a leaner squad leaves little margin for an injury crisis.

The very first kick of the ball this season, a WSL debut for one of the game’s biggest stars, and a battle between two sides who could very well be vying for the same spot — this sold-out opening fixture brings plenty to be excited about.