Katie Zelem grew up dreaming of playing for Manchester United, but the club had disbanded their senior women’s team in 2005. When they reformed in 2018, Zelem did not hesitate to return and has since helped the club rise to the top of the Women’s Super League. On Sunday 14 May, she will captain her team at Wembley Stadium for their first Women’s FA Cup final appearance.
Zelem is one of four players in the squad who graduated from United’s academy and returned under former manager Casey Stoney in 2018. She is proud to be able to inspire the next generation of girls coming through the United ranks, who now have the opportunity to play for the first team immediately.
United have finished fourth in three successive league campaigns, missing out on a Champions League qualification spot, but remain on course for a league-cup double this year. Zelem believes that this could be the turning season for United, who are no longer the underdogs and genuinely believe they can win.
Success on Sunday could be just the start for United, with Zelem saying: “We’ve always said we want to be in the Champions League and have always been close but not close enough. This is the turning season. It used to be the top three… and Manchester United. Now it’s solidly a top four. We know we can compete and win things.”