FEATURED: Three classic Durham performances against Manchester United

The Vitality Women’s FA Cup returns this weekend with the eight fifth round ties taking place.

One of the eye-catching ties sees second tier Durham travel to the Leigh Sports Village to face Barclays Women’s Super League leaders Manchester United.

The Wildcats have had their fair share of success against The Red Devils in the past including a penalty shootout victory in the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup group stage earlier this season. Durham have been the ultimate bogey side for Manchester United over the last four years and they will be hoping to continue that theme this weekend.

Ahead of the match, FAWSL Full-Time have reviewed the past meetings between Durham and Manchester United and here are three of The Wildcats’ most memorable performances.

Sunday 9 December 2018 – Durham 3 Manchester United 1

Durham ensured that they would be the only team to go unbeaten against Manchester United in the 2018/2019 Barclays Women’s Championship season with a 3-1 victory over The Red Devils at New Ferens Park.

Having held Manchester United to a goalless draw at the Leigh Sports Village a little over two months earlier, Lee Sanders’ side frustrated their star-studded opponents further in the North East.

Sarah Wilson opened the scoring for Durham after 22 minutes, the defender connecting with a Beth Hepple free-kick, before Ella Toone volleyed Manchester United level just before half-time. Durham regained the lead on the hour mark through a Hepple penalty before Zoe Ness scored late on to seal a fabulous 3-1 win.

Thursday 14 October 2021 – Durham 2 Manchester United 2 (Manchester United win 5-3 on pens)

On one of their most famous nights in their short time at Maiden Castle, Durham twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with top tier side Manchester United in the group stage of FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup.

The first half went very much how you would expect with Manchester United bossing possession and taking the lead through Ivana Fuso, but Durham showed lots of character and they twice bounced back in the second half. Dee Bradley levelled matters for the hosts early in the second period, but Ella Toone’s long range rocket restored Manchester United’s lead. Durham were not beaten though and Beth Hepple crashed home a free-kick from what looked to be an impossible angle in the dying moments of the game to force penalties.

Manchester United showed their class and experience from 12 yards to win the shootout 5-3 but this night was all about Durham and the growth of football in this area of the North East.

Wednesday 26 October 2022 – Durham 2 Manchester United 2 (Durham win 3-1 on pens)

If Durham’s fixture against Manchester United in 2021 was a landmark moment, this season’s FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup group stage fixture set the bar at a whole new level. The Wildcats again showed their spirit and ‘Never Say Die’ attitude as they battled out another 2-2 draw with The Red Devils, but this time, they went one step further.

Durham struggled to touch the ball in the opening stages and Jade Moore’s strike from the edge of the box handed Manchester United the lead. The Wildcats levelled matters at the end of the first half through Jess Clarke who slid the ball home from a Beth Hepple free-kick. Vilde Bøe Risa’s crisp strike restored Manchester United’s lead in the second half but veteran Durham defender Sarah Robson bundled home a late equaliser to force penalties.

In the shootout, Manchester United were woeful with their penalty kicks while Durham remained fully-focused and determined as they went on to record a 3-1 win which sent the sell-out Maiden Castle crowd wild.

Durham’s Vitality Women’s FA Cup fifth round tie at Manchester United kicks-off at 12pm on Sunday afternoon.