MANCHESTER, England: A record 45,185 tickets have been snapped up for Sunday’s Women’s Super League derby between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford, setting up a potential attendance record.
Depending on how many fans come through the turnstiles, the attendance could top the record of 44,259 set at the Etihad last season.
The derby marks the fifth WSL game played by United’s women at Old Trafford and is on pace to crush the team’s previous attendance record of 30,196 for Aston Villa’s visit to Old Trafford in 2022.
“Our players are used to big occasions, and they thrive in those environments. The bigger we make these moments, the more the players grow,” United manager Marc Skinner said. “The women’s game has continued to develop, and fans are attending games to witness competitive performances from their favorite players.”
United, who beat City 2-1 last season at Leigh Sports Village, began the weekend third in the WSL standings while City are sixth.
Manchester women’s derby at Old Trafford poised to break attendance record
https://arab.news/pj8pu
Manchester women’s derby at Old Trafford poised to break attendance record
- The derby marks the fifth WSL game played by United’s women at Old Trafford
- “Our players are used to big occasions, and they thrive in those environments,” United manager Marc Skinner said
Jordan chase first Arab Cup title as they meet Morocco in final
- 2025 Arab Cup Final will take place at Lusail Stadium on Dec. 18, in the same venue that hosted the 2022 World Cup Final
- Morocco seek to repeat 2012 glory as Jordan reach final for first time
DOHA: In February 2024, Jordan found themselves 90 minutes away from making history. After a stellar AFC Asian Cup run that saw them eliminate Korea Republic, the Nashama reached the final of the continent’s flagship competition at Lusail Stadium. A 3-1 defeat to hosts Qatar ended that journey, but the campaign left a lasting mark on Jordanian football.
Fast forward 18 months, Jordan return to Lusail — this time for a different final, in a different competition, against a different opponent. The 2025 Arab Cup final will see Jordan face Morocco in what will be the two sides’ fourth meeting.
Their most recent encounter came at the 2021 Arab Cup, when Morocco struck three times in the first half before adding a late fourth to secure a group-stage victory.
Much has changed since then. Even without the services of Mousa Al-Taamari — currently plying his trade in France with Rennes — and the injured Yazan Al-Naimat, Jordan arrive at Lusail a completely transformed side.
Under Djamel Sellami, they secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, and are the only team at this year’s Arab Cup to boast a perfect record.
Victories against the UAE, Kuwait, Egypt, Iraq and Saudi Arabia have underlined Jordan’s consistency and resilience against elite regional opposition.
Morocco, however, arrive with their own strengths. With the senior national team set to begin its AFCON campaign in less than a week, the squad is largely drawn from the Botola Pro, alongside stars from the Roshn Saudi League, ADNOC Pro League and Doha Bank Stars League.
They have delivered throughout the tournament, with all of Morocco’s goals coming from players based in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Karim El-Berkaoui has been a standout, scoring the winner against Saudi Arabia in the group stage and opening the scoring in the semifinal victory over the UAE.
This Arab Cup final presents a unique storyline in Arab football. Jordan chase their first title, while Morocco seek to add to their growing pedigree in international football. With both nations backed in force throughout the tournament, the stage at Lusail Stadium could hardly be bigger.
