Featured image: Manchester United Women celebrate after their 3-0 win over Burnley on 28 October 2026. Photo: Manchester United Women via their official X account. Display versions may be cropped. Original club post.
Manchester United Women beat Burnley 3-0 in the Subway Players Cup, with Ellen Wangerheim scoring her first goal for the club before Lea Schuller added two more. The victory also brought playing returns for Celin Bizet Donnum, Jayde Riviere and Emma Watson.
Eva Olid’s side extended their unbeaten run to nine matches across all competitions. The result gives United a win to take into Saturday’s Women’s Super League match against Everton, while the returning players added another positive to the evening at Leigh.
Manchester United Women break through against Burnley
United pressed high and kept asking questions of Burnley’s defence. Mared Griffiths and Monica Jusu Bah offered width, while the hosts also threatened from set pieces. Scarlett Hill sent a shot over after a short corner.
Burnley had a chance of their own when Tyler Toland tested Janina Leitzig. But United made the breakthrough in the 29th minute after Rebeca Bernal won the ball back. Schuller’s attempted delivery escaped goalkeeper Jackie Burns, and Wangerheim finished into an empty net.
United almost benefited from another loose pass soon afterwards. Simi Awujo won possession, but Burns recovered to save her effort. Jess Simpson then struck the bar directly from a corner as the hosts continued to push before half-time.
Schuller adds two second-half goals
United made the lead safer after the break. Riviere reached the byline and sent in a low cross that found Schuller at the back post. The forward converted in the 66th minute to make it 2-0.
Burnley still looked for a route back into the game. Brooke Cairns met Maddi Wilde’s cross, but her header went into Leitzig’s hands.
Schuller hit the post as United searched for a third. She then scored again in the 85th minute, meeting Awujo’s cutback with a firm finish beyond Burns. Substitute Jess Anderson also forced the goalkeeper into a late save.
Three returns add to United’s win
Watson entered in the 55th minute for her first United appearance since December 2024. Bizet Donnum and Riviere followed in the 61st minute.
The club reports that Bizet Donnum’s appearance came 390 days after her previous United game and after she gave birth in June. Riviere and Watson returned following injuries. Their involvement was a completed return to match action, rather than simply a place in the squad.
Former United players Leah Galton, Naomi Hartley and Rachel Williams were also part of the occasion with Burnley. Williams came on at half-time.
What comes next for Manchester United Women?
The next task is Everton away in the WSL on Saturday. United can build on a clean sheet, Wangerheim’s first goal and Schuller’s finishing, with more players now available for minutes. The Burnley result does not by itself settle who will start the league game.
