Maya is imperious as United make history

The 22-year-old Sarnian was an assured figure at the heart of the defence as Manchester United defeated Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 in the final to claim the side’s first major piece of silverware since the women’s club was re-formed in 2018.

Le Tissier, who has been an ever-present for Marc Skinner’s side since joining in 2022 and recently signed a contract extension, played the full 90 minutes and was instrumental in the Red Devils keeping a clean sheet while their attacking stars got to work at the other end.

England star Ella Toone got the ball rolling with a sensational opening goal in first-half injury time, finding the top corner with a brilliant strike from outside the area at the culmination of a flowing move to give United a 1-0 advantage going into the interval after a fairly even 45 minutes before United stamped their authority after the break.

Striker Rachel Williams, who had won the cup 12 years previously with Birmingham City, doubled the lead with a pinpoint header in the 10th minute of the second half and moments later an error from Spurs goalkeeper Becky Spencer gifted Lucia Garcia the third goal.

The Spanish international, who was later named player of the match, added her second and her team’s fourth with quarter-of-an-hour remaining and United saw out the rest of the game with few alarms to seal a historic victory one year after their first cup final had ended in heartbreak against Chelsea.

A teenage Le Tissier had presented the famous trophy to Arsenal eight years ago, but United’s victory yesterday was the first time one of the big three – Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City – had not won the cup since that Birmingham win in 2012.

‘We are history makers for Manchester United,’ said boss Skinner on BBC One, who called it ‘a magnificent performance’.

‘We want to be challenging for titles, of course we do, but adding that first piece of silverware is important for the psyche.’