Man United Women to participate in £85m-funded tournament
Manchester United Women will compete in a seven-a-side tournament alongside Bayern Munich, Ajax, Benfica and four other unconfirmed teams (h/t the Guardian).
World Sevens Football will take place in Estoril, Portugal, from May 21 to 23. The prize is £3.75 million, but only half will be awarded to the winners.
Women’s Super League (WSL) clubs Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal could also enter.
The competition is being funded for five years to the tune of £85m by United States-based philanthropist Jennifer Mackesy.
She is the co-owner of the National Women’s Soccer League club Gotham FC.
Participating teams can name a 25-player squad for the competition, but only 14 players can be used on matchday.
Each game will be 30 minutes long, with 15 minutes played in two halves. Players can be substituted in and out multiple times.
The tournament will be broadcast live by the streaming platform DAZN.
Marc Skinner’s reaction to United’s participation
United Women’s head coach Marc Skinner is delighted to have the opportunity to participate in the new competition.
“This is a really exciting opportunity to be part of something new for the women’s game,” Skinner said.
“Our only focus right now is on finishing the domestic season as strongly as possible in the WSL and the FA Cup.
“Then we can travel to Portugal to enjoy what promises to be an entertaining three days of fast, fun, seven-a-side football.”
United are third in the WSL. They need at least three more points to secure a Champions League qualification spot.
The Red Devils are also bidding to defend their FA Women’s Cup title. They will face Chelsea in the final at Wembley Stadium on May 18.
Article written by Henry Thornton .