Women’s FA Cup final: Manchester United’s route back to Wembley

Holders Manchester United make their third successive Women’s FA Cup final appearance on Sunday as Marc Skinner’s side take on Chelsea.

Here, the PA news agency looks at how United, who claimed their first major trophy when they lifted the cup last year after a 4-0 victory over Tottenham, got back to Wembley again for a repeat of the 2023 final, which Chelsea won 1-0.

Manchester United 7 West Brom 0 (fourth round, Jan 11)

United took the lead against third-tier Albion at Leigh Sports Village via Melvine Malard midway through the first half.

That was the only goal until the late stages, with three substitutes then adding six more between them from the 77th minute.

Rachel Williams scored a hat-trick and there was also a brace from Celin Bizet and a fine finish by Ella Toone.

Wolves 0 Manchester United 6 (fifth round, Feb 8)

Once again facing a tier three outfit, United were 4-0 up before the hour this time.

Elisabeth Terland, Leah Galton, Aoife Mannion and Toone all scored to put the visitors in complete control.

There was then a special moment late on for midfielder Mared Griffiths, aged 17 at the time, as she netted twice having come off the bench for her United debut.

Manchester United 3 Sunderland 1 (quarter-final, Mar 8)

United scored early and late in the first half through Galton and skipper Maya Le Tissier.

Championship Sunderland hit back with a Louise Griffiths goal in the 70th minute.

But Toone sealed the hosts’ passage into the last four in stoppage-time.

Manchester City 0 Manchester United 2 (semi-final, Apr 13)

United surged into a two-goal lead against their derby rivals at the Joie Stadium.

Bizet scored in the sixth minute before Grace Clinton struck in the 22nd.

Red Devils goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce then thwarted injury-hit City by making an impressive double save in the second half as she tipped Yui Hasegawa’s free-kick against the crossbar before blocking Lily Murphy’s follow-up.