On the pitch, Zelem has set her own standards. The midfielder won the Manchester United Women’s Player of the Year award in her first season, playing a key role in the promotion-winning campaign. The following season she was named as captain with then-manager Stoney believing the armband would “add to her game, both on and off the pitch.” She was right.
“There’s a lot of pressure on my shoulders, but it’s something I relish, especially as a Manchester United fan,” Zelem says. “I know what it means and how many people would want to be in my position. I feel so privileged that I can represent the club. I want to make the fans proud.”
The set-piece specialist scored seven goals that season, including three direct from corners, as United finished fourth in the WSL behind the league’s established big three. And this is where Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal have kept United for the past two seasons — like a big sister holding a younger sibling at arm’s length as they swing air-punches.
This season United are close to landing a blow. They’re top of the WSL just after its halfway stage, one point above reigning champions Chelsea, who have a game in hand. It is a title challenge fuelled by the pain of defeat and the experience of victory. United fell away last term, finishing five points off third-placed Manchester City. Manager Marc Skinner knew he had to recruit players with experience and nous. In came Lioness Nikkita Parris to join fellow Euro 2022 champions Mary Earps, Alessia Russo and Ella Toone.
With a strong squad, Skinner has been able to instil tactical flexibility, including a high press led by Russo which has seen United build the WSL’s meanest defence with only seven goals conceded in 13 matches. But progress is not enough for Zelem. She wants the title.
“Marc has done a great job in bringing in some brilliant players and we’ve made huge strides, you could see that when we beat Arsenal,” she says. “But we don’t want just to finish third, we want to keep pushing on for the title. We’re Manchester United and we want to win things.
“Can we win it this year? Why not? Especially with the first half of the season we’ve had, there’s no holding us back.”
