Grace Clinton inspires Manchester United’s WSL cruise against West Ham | Women’s Super League

Manchester United began their Women’s Super League campaign in style, with England midfielder Grace Clinton making her debut for the club with a goal and a superb individual performance against West Ham.

Clinton, who joined Manchester United in 2022 but spent last season on loan at Tottenham after a spell on loan at Bristol City in 2022-23, showed her strength in midfield and looked completely at home in the centre of the team.

Her deft second-half header from Lisa Naalsund’s expertly placed cross made it 3-0, after first-half shots from Brazilian forward Geyse – who West Ham were adjudged to have fouled Camila Sáez before firing – and left back Leah Galton, who cut expertly inside on her right foot before tapping home the second. Geyse, brimming with confidence, also hit the bar with a spectacular overhead effort in the first half.

The performance will have been encouraging for the supporters and for head coach Marc Skinner after a summer of major changes that saw the departure of key players including England internationals Mary Earps, Katie Zelem and Nikita Parris, their top scorer from last season.

But there are also exciting newcomers, such as Norwegian striker Elisabeth Terland, who started the match, Swedish fullback Anna Sandberg, who missed a slight touch, and Canadian midfielder Simi Awujo, who made her debut as a second-half substitute. Dutch international Dominique Janssen also made an impressive debut in the role of controlling midfielder.

However, they would do well not to exaggerate after this result, against a West Ham side who disappointed and only really managed to score in the closing stages of the game, with Riko Ueki’s shot just over the bar from inside the penalty area.

They were predicted to be in a relegation battle this season, but there was scant evidence on Saturday that this prediction was wrong.