Ketika tim U-23 Inggris berhadapan dengan Norwegia pada bulan November lalu, tak sedikit talenta-talenta terbaik yang tampil. Baik itu Ruby Mace maupun Maisie Symonds, yang keduanya telah memperkuat tim senior asuhan Sarina Wiegman; Gracie Prior, yang menjadi starter dalam tujuh dari sembilan pertandingan pertama musim ini bersama Manchester City, pemuncak klasemen Women's Super League; maupun Martine Fenger di kubu lawan, penyerang remaja yang baru saja melakukan debutnya bersama Barcelona pada awal bulan itu. Namun, justru Erica Parkinson yang berusia 17 tahun, seorang pemain yang usianya sekitar lima tahun lebih muda dari beberapa pemain lainnya, yang paling menonjol.
Kampanye kualifikasi Inggris untuk Piala Dunia Wanita 2027 telah resmi dimulai. The Lionesses mengawali kampanye ini dengan kemenangan 6-1 atas Ukraina pada Selasa dan akan melanjutkan perjuangan mereka untuk memastikan tempat di Brasil saat menjamu Islandia pada Sabtu. Sebagai runner-up pada 2023, sedikit yang meragukan tim asuhan Sarina Wiegman untuk meraih prestasi serupa, namun siapa yang akan dipilih manajer untuk mewakili juara Eropa di Amerika Selatan masih belum pasti.
Minggu depan, di Stadion Wembley, dua tim nasional terbaik dalam sepak bola wanita Eropa akan kembali berhadapan saat Inggris, juara dua edisi terakhir Kejuaraan Eropa, menjamu Spanyol, juara dunia bertahan. Ini akan menjadi pertemuan kompetitif keenam mereka dalam kurun waktu kurang dari empat tahun, dan sekali lagi pertarungan ini memiliki taruhan yang sangat besar karena kedua tim berebut satu tempat kualifikasi otomatis dari grup mereka untuk Piala Dunia musim panas mendatang. Oleh karena itu, kemungkinan Inggris harus bermain tanpa kapten mereka, Leah Williamson, merupakan pukulan telak.
Pelatih timnas wanita Belanda, Sarina Wiegman, terpaksa melakukan sedikit penyesuaian pada skuadnya menjelang laga kualifikasi Piala Dunia melawan Spanyol dan Islandia pekan depan, menyusul adanya pemain yang mundur karena cedera. Pelatih asal Inggris itu memanfaatkan kesempatan ini untuk memberikan panggilan debut kepada seorang pemain baru sekaligus memperkuat skuadnya dengan satu pemain tambahan, yakni bek sayap Chelsea Niamh Charles, yang baru saja tampil impresif setelah absen selama tiga bulan.
Inggris kemungkinan besar harus bermain tanpa kapten Leah Williamson pekan depan dalam laga kualifikasi Piala Dunia yang sangat penting melawan Spanyol di Wembley, setelah bek Arsenal itu kembali tidak diturunkan oleh klubnya pada akhir pekan lalu. Williamson hanya bisa menonton dari pinggir lapangan saat The Gunners tersingkir dari Piala FA setelah menderita kekalahan mengejutkan dari Brighton, dan akibatnya, ada keraguan serius apakah ia akan cukup fit untuk bergabung dengan skuad Lionesses pekan ini.
Pengumuman skuad Inggris pada Selasa pagi membawa kejutan yang sesungguhnya, karena Erica Parkinson menerima panggilan pertamanya ke tim senior pada usia 17 tahun menjelang laga kualifikasi Piala Dunia melawan Islandia dan, yang tak kalah pentingnya, juara dunia Spanyol. Parkinson mungkin masih asing bagi banyak penggemar Lionesses, dan Sarina Wiegman kini telah menjelaskan alasan di balik keputusannya untuk memberikan undangan kepada remaja tersebut, yang membuatnya "tak bisa berkata-kata".
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.
Preguntas frecuentes
Can I buy Leeds tickets without a membership?
In most cases, you have to be a Leeds United member if you want to buy tickets for Premier League matches, though non-members will occasionally be able to access tickets for cup fixtures.
There are several brackets of memberships, ranging from adult options through those for juniors. Each come with additional perks and privileges depending on the membership purchased.
Below are the prices for the 2025-26 campaign:
Adult
My Leeds+: £75
My Leeds: £50
Junior (U-16s)
My Leeds+: £45
My Leeds: £30
How can I buy Leeds season tickets?
If you want to get your chance at a Leeds season ticket, your best bet is to keep an eye on updates and news on the official Leeds website.
A Leeds season ticket is the only guaranteed way to ensure you can be there for every home game at Elland Road during a Premier League season. It guarantees you a reserved seat and a spot in the stands for all the action.
However, those hoping to purchase a season ticket for the first time are unlikely to be successful due to demand. Prospective buyers must sign up to the club’s waiting list, where they will be notified when a spot is available.
How hard is it to get Leeds United football match tickets?
Due to high demand, it is not that easy to get your hands on Premier League tickets for Leeds United matches, with only a finite pool of seats available for each game.
Unsurprisingly, that can lead many fans to head to resale sites such as stubhub.co.uk in their efforts to bag tickets, though even then, it is not a foregone conclusion.
The best way to get tickets for Leeds matches is to ensure you have a membership and then plan in advance to see where you may have the best chance of obtaining a ticket.
Can I book a tour for Elland Road?
You can book a tour around Elland Road; tours are limited in number and tend to be restricted to the off-season.
Tickets to tour the stadium are available on the official Leeds website, where you can book your preferred time and date.
Keep an eye on the club’s social media channels to discover when they will next be offered to the public.