Talk of Alessia Russo's goal-scoring has dominated conversation around the England international for most of her senior career to date. It's become especially prominent since her move from Manchester United to Arsenal three years ago, with the scrutiny increased because of the switch and also the fact she's become the Lionesses' starting centre-forward. But in this past week in particular, Russo has shown what remarkable steps she has made towards that talk becoming obsolete.
England international Lucy Bronze is determined to help Chelsea finally conquer Europe and match the historic success of the men's side. The serial winner hopes her vast experience can guide the Blues to Women's Champions League glory, though they first face a daunting task to overturn a two-goal deficit against Arsenal and keep their dreams of lifting the elusive trophy alive.
GOAL reviews the top USWNT performances abroad across the weekend from Girma andThompson at Chelsea to Heaps and Yohannes at Lyon, Tullis-Joyce at United, Coffey at Man City and Fox at Arsenal.
Manager Renee Slegers has highlighted Alessia Russo's maturing influence within the Arsenal squad following her devastating first-half performance against Tottenham. Beyond the goals, the Gunners' boss is seeing a shift in the forward’s personality and responsibility on the training pitch as the season reaches its climax.
A first-half hat-trick from Alessia Russo powered Arsenal to a 5-2 win over north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Women's Super League on Saturday. The Gunners have one eye on their Champions League quarter-final with Chelsea having beaten the Blues 3-1 in the first leg on Tuesday before heading to Stamford Bridge this coming midweek, and ensured they are on track to qualify for next season's edition with a thumping victory back in domestic action.
Arsenal captain Kim Little has signed a new one-year deal with the club, taking her name off the long list of those out of contract with the Gunners this summer. The reigning European champions had more than 10 first-team players whose current deals were set to expire at the end of the season but Little is officially staying put, the club announced on Thursday.
Manchester United, often simply referred to as "United," are one of the most iconic and successful football clubs in the world, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England. The club was founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878 by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway depot at Newton Heath. The team changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to its current home, Old Trafford, in 1910.
Famous players
Manchester United have been home to some of the greatest footballers in history. Sir Bobby Charlton, a World Cup winner with England in 1966, is arguably the most iconic figure in the club's history. Other legendary players include George Best, known for his flair and skill, and Eric Cantona, who brought a winning mentality to the club during the 1990s. More recent stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and Paul Scholes have also contributed significantly to the club's success.
Honours
Manchester United are one of the most decorated clubs in English football, having won a record 20 Premier League titles (formerly the First Division). They have also lifted the FA Cup 12 times, the League Cup five times, and the UEFA Champions League three times. The club's dominance in English football was particularly evident during the 1990s and early 2000s under manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Managers
Sir Alex Ferguson is undoubtedly the most successful manager in Manchester United's history. He spent 26 years at the club, leading them to an unprecedented era of success. Before Ferguson, managers like Matt Busby and Wilf McGuinness played crucial roles in shaping the club's identity. More recent managers, including David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, and José Mourinho, have faced the challenge of maintaining the club's high standards.
Stadium
Old Trafford, often referred to as the "Theatre of Dreams," is one of the most famous stadiums in the world. With a capacity of roughly 75,000, it is among the largest football stadiums in the United Kingdom. The stadium has hosted numerous major matches, including UEFA Champions League finals and FIFA World Cup matches.
Location
Manchester United are based in the city of Manchester, which is located in the northwest of England. The club's home ground, Old Trafford, is situated in the Trafford borough. Manchester is a major industrial city with a rich footballing heritage.
Owners
In February 2024, British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe's company, INEOS, acquired a significant 25% stake in Manchester United. This acquisition granted Ratcliffe sporting control over the club, placing him in a position to influence key decisions related to its operations.
Ratcliffe has already made a substantial financial commitment to Manchester United. His large investments demonstrate his dedication to the club's success and his willingness to provide the necessary resources for its growth.
Frequently asked questions
When were Bournemouth founded?
Bournemouth were formed from the remains of a local club called Boscombe St. John's Institute Football Club and was renamed to Boscombe F.C. in 1899. More than 20 years later, the club changed its name to Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic Football Club, before renaming themselves to AFC Bournemouth in 1971. Fun fact: the 'AFC' in AFC Bournemouth is not an abbreviation, it's just a part of the name.
Who are the owners of Bournemouth?
American businessman Bill Foley, in a partnership with Cannae Holdings Inc, completed the total takeover of Bournemouth in December 2022. Hollywood actor Michael B. Jordan and Kosmos Founder Nullah Sarker lead the minority ownership group.
What is Bournemouth's stadium called?
Bournemouth's stadium is the Dean Court, commonly known as Vitality Stadium for sponsorship reasons. Bournemouth have been playing their games at this venue since December 1910.
What is Vitality Stadium's capacity?
Vitality Stadium has a capacity of 11,307, making it the second-smallest ground in Premier League history in terms of capacity, behind Luton Town's Kenilworth Road.
How many trophies have Bournemouth won?
Bournemouth have not won a single major trophy yet.
How many Premier League (top flight) titles have Bournemouth won?
Bournemouth have not won any Premier League / first division titles throughout their history. However, they bagged 48 points in the 2023-24 campaign, their best-ever tally.
Who has made the most appearances for Bournemouth?
Cherries legend Steve Fletcher, who spent 19 years of his 24-year playing career at Bournemouth, is the club's record-appearance maker. Fletcher, a forward by trade, made 728 appearances for the club and scored 121 goals.
Who is Bournemouth's all-time top goalscorer?
Ron Eyre scored 229 goals in 378 games for Bournemouth between 1924 and 1933, making him the club's all-time top scorer.
Which famous players have played for Bournemouth?
Dominic Solanke, Aaron Ramsdale, Callum Wilson, Nathan Ake, Jermain Defoe, Eddie Howe, and Gavin Peacock are some of the most famous players to have played for Bournemouth. The club even managed to sign George Best at one point!
Which famous managers have been in charge of Bournemouth?
Harry Redknapp, Sean O'Driscoll, and Eddie Howe are among Bournemouth's most prominent managers ever.
What is Bournemouth's nickname?
Bournemouth are nicknamed The Cherries. While there's some debate regarding the origins of the nickname, it is widely believed that it is based on the cherry-red striped jerseys that the team plays in. Secondly, it is also believed that the nickname is derived from the cherry orchards in the Cooper-Dean Estate, located right next to Dean Court.