Chelsea and Man Utd name strong XIs for Women’s League Cup final
Chelsea and Manchester United have confirmed their starting line-ups for Sunday’s Women’s League Cup final at Ashton Gate, with a 2.15pm GMT kick-off setting the stage for a heavyweight showdown.
Chelsea go with Hannah Hampton in goal and a back line featuring Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright-era pedigree via Bronze’s experience, alongside Natasha Buchanen and Wieke Kaptein-adjacent options on the bench as depth. In midfield, the Blues lean on Keira Walsh and Erin Cuthbert to control tempo, while the attack is powered by Lauren James and wide threats including Johanna Rytting Kaneryd.
Manchester United counter with Phallon Tullis-Joyce between the posts and a spine that includes Maya Le Tissier and Dominique Janssen, plus a forward group featuring Ella Toone-less creativity redistributed through players such as Geyse-type profiles—though United’s named XI leans on Malard, Terland and Wangerheim to provide punch.
⚽ Key Insight
The official team sheets, including substitutes, were published ahead of kick-off in live coverage of the final. For the full list as released, see the original live blog report from The Guardian’s match updates.
Infographic: Team Sheet Snapshot
Venue: Ashton Gate
Kick-off: 2.15pm GMT
Chelsea GK: Hampton
Man Utd GK: Tullis-Joyce
Headline creators: Walsh (CHE), Janssen (MUN)
Explosive attackers: James (CHE), Malard (MUN)
How the selection shapes the final
Chelsea’s choices suggest a plan to dominate central areas early, with Walsh and Cuthbert tasked with progressing the ball quickly into James and Kaneryd. The inclusion of Bronze hints at an aggressive approach on the right—pushing high, delivering early, and pinning United back.
United, meanwhile, look set to rely on organisation and quick transitions. With Le Tissier marshaling the back line and Janssen offering calm distribution, the Red Devils have the platform to spring forward—especially if Malard and Terland can turn moments of regained possession into direct running in behind.
Both benches include game-changers, with Chelsea listing options such as Cat Macario-style impact profiles across the squad depth, and United able to introduce fresh legs and different shapes as the match develops. With finals often decided by one decisive substitution or set-piece, the depth on both sides could matter as much as the starting XI.
Key Takeaways
- Line-ups are in: Chelsea start Hampton, Bronze, Buchanen, Baltimore, Walsh, Cuthbert and James among others; United start Tullis-Joyce, Le Tissier, Janssen, Malard and Terland.
- Midfield control vs transition threat: Chelsea’s selection points to possession and pressure, while United appear built to absorb and break.
- Star quality in wide areas: James and Kaneryd offer Chelsea unpredictability; United will look to respond through Malard and their forward runners.
- Bench depth could decide it: both managers have multiple tactical levers to pull if the game tightens late.