Women's FA Cup 2025 preview: Chelsea vs Man United

Photo: Chelsea FC

The FA Cup is returning to Wembley, with the English champions, Chelsea, facing off against Manchester United. 

Chelsea has already won both the WSL and the Subway Women's League Cup, so the FA Cup would have them finish the 24/25 season as treble winners. But this is Manchester United's last chance at winning silverware this season, so it's all to play for. 

Previous fixtures

Manchester United 0-1 Chelsea - 30th April 2025

Both of their previous meeting have finished 1-0 to The Blues. In their most recent fixture, it was the head of Lucy Bronze that won them the match, then the league. While United did have a shout for a penalty, nothing was given, keeping the score at 1-0 to the Blues.

Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United - 24th November 2024

Their earlier meeting in the season was only separated by a penalty. This came after Phallon Tullis-Joyce came out of her goal and tripped Mayra Ramírez up in the box. While Tullis-Joyce dived the right way, it was slotted perfectly by Guro Reiten, being the decider for the match. 

Stand Out Players

Summer signing, Sandy Baltimore, has made a real impact on the championing side since joining them at the start of the season. While previously playing as a left wing, she has been converted to a left back in Bompastor's squad, showing real strength down that side.

While being converted to a left back, that hasn't stopped her making attacks, she is the top in the club for successful dribbles per 90 minutes, helping her to get 3 assists this season. 

Academy graduate, Aggie Beever-Jones, is a Chelsea fan favourite, and there is a reason why. After returning from loan, she proved herself to the then-manager Emma Hayes and, since then, has been a key goalscorer for the Blues.

Beever-Jones is the top goal scorer for Chelsea with 9 goals. This season, she earned herself her first England call-up and scored her first goal for the Lionesses on her fourth cap against Belgium. 

Summer signing Elizabeth Terland is Man United's top goal scorer, scoring 9 goals for the Red Devils in just 19 appearances. Transferring from Brighton and Hove Albion, in her 2 years as a Seagull, she was able to score 20 goals in 39 appearances. She is also a key playmaker for Manchester United, earning 5 assists for the club this season. 

Returning from loan at the start of the season, Grace Clinton has proved her place in the United squad. Clinton is just behind Elizabeth Terland in goals with 8 this season and is top in the club for chances created. During a stellar season at Spurs, Clinton earned her first England call up and since February 2024 has made 9 appearances and scored 3 goals. 

Missing Players

Lauren James left the April England camp early due to a hamstring injury. Since the England v Belgium match, she hasn't made an appearance for the Blues, which can be seen by their chances on the pitch.

Bompastor comments on this, saying, ‘​​I think she will come back well from that injury. It just takes time. Hamstrings can sometimes be big injuries in women’s football, but Lauren will be fine.’

Jayde Riviere is currently being assessed after rolling her ankle in the Manchester Derby.

Marc Skinner spoke on this, saying, ‘I just saw her on the treatment bed getting it strapped, so there’s no [protective] boot, and she was in great spirits, talking about the UCL. Hopefully, she'll be OK, and we'll try to get her ready for either Arsenal or Chelsea.'

Current Form

Chelsea finished the 24/25 WSL on an unbeaten run leading on to their wins in the League and League Cup. It has also helped them to progress this far in the FA Cup.

During the 24/25 season, they have only lost three matches, all in the Women's Champions League, where they were knocked out by reigning champions Barcelona. 

Finishing the league in 3rd place, Manchester United, had the chance to go 2nd if they beat arsenal on the final day of the WSL but lost 4-3 after 3 quick goals from the Gunners.

The Red Devils were knocked out of the League Cup by rivals Manchester City in the quarter-finals and failed to qualify for the Champions League after finishing 4th in the 23/24 season. 

Where to Watch

The fixture will kick off at Wembley Stadium at 1.30 pm, with tickets still available to buy. However if you can't make it into the stadium, it will be shown on BBC One with build-up from 12.50pm.