Manchester United Subway Cup final preview: Journey to the final, tactics, key players
Manchester United make their League Cup final debut on Sunday, facing Chelsea at Ashton Gate in search of a first trophy in the competition
Manchester United are hoping to make history on Sunday and claim their first League Cup trophy.
The club have built on three consecutive FA Cup final appearances with a League Cup final debut.
Marc Skinner’s side will be hoping they can also pull off another first in Sunday’s clash at Ashton Gate: beat Chelsea in a domestic cup final.
Here’s The Cutback’s Manchester United preview for the Subway League Cup final.
Route to the final
Manchester United’s path to the Subway Cup final has been defined by resilience and adaptability, overcoming two very different challenges in the knockout rounds.
They entered the competition at the quarter-final stage, where they faced Tottenham. The match proved more complicated than expected, with Spurs taking the lead in the first half and forcing United to chase the game. However, Marc Skinner’s side responded strongly after the break. United increased their territorial control and gradually pushed Tottenham deeper into their own half. The equaliser arrived early in the second half through Jess Park, before Fridolina Rolfö completed the turnaround with the winning goal, having also provided the assist for the first.
The semi-final against Arsenal presented an entirely different type of test. United were forced into a more defensive and disciplined performance against a side that controlled large portions of the game territorially. The decisive moment came just before half-time, when Elisabeth Terland struck from the edge of the box with a precise right-footed finish to give United the lead.
The second half became an intense defensive effort, particularly as Arsenal continued to push forward even after being reduced to ten players. Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce delivered a standout performance, making several crucial saves to preserve the advantage. The 1–0 win showcased a different side of United’s identity: disciplined, resilient and capable of protecting a narrow lead under sustained pressure. Together, the comeback against Tottenham and the hard-fought victory over Arsenal underline the team’s ability to navigate contrasting match scenarios.
Historical record in the competition
This year’s Subway Cup final represents a historic milestone for Manchester United.
Before this season, the club had never reached the final of the competition. Their best previous run came in the 2022 edition, when they advanced to the semi-finals before being eliminated by Chelsea in a 3–1 defeat.
Reaching the final therefore marks United’s deepest-ever run in the League Cup and highlights the continued progression of the team since achieving promotion to the top flight. While they are still building their history in this competition, this year’s campaign signals a growing ability to compete in decisive knockout fixtures.
Formation and style of play
Manchester United have most commonly operated in a 4-2-3-1 system this season, a slight evolution from the 4-3-3 shape that defined much of the previous campaign. The change has created a more clearly defined attacking midfield role for players such as Ella Toone or Jess Park, while establishing a more balanced double pivot behind them.
Out of possession, United usually defend in a 4-4-1-1 or compact 4-2-3-1 block. The wingers drop alongside the midfield line to maintain horizontal compactness, while the attacking midfielder positions herself between midfield and attack to screen passing lanes towards the opposition’s deeper playmaker. The pressing approach varies depending on the opponent: against stronger sides, the team maintains a more compact mid-block, focusing on closing central spaces; against weaker opposition, they form a 4-4-2 pressing structure that applies more pressure to the centre-backs and forces play into congested areas.
In possession, United build primarily from the back. The centre-backs spread wide while a defensive midfielder frequently drops deeper to create a 3+1 structure in the first phase. This setup allows the team to maintain composure under pressure while facilitating vertical progression through the midfield line. One of the defining characteristics of United’s attacking structure is the asymmetry between the two flanks. On the right, the full-back pushes aggressively forward, often overlapping the winger, who tends to drift inside into the half-spaces to combine centrally. On the left, the full-back adopts a slightly more conservative role, providing defensive balance while the winger operates as a more direct inside forward, attacking central areas and looking to finish moves. A recurring pattern involves switching play to release the weak-side runner, who attacks the space behind the defensive line as the attacking midfielders attempt to find them with through balls.
Manchester United will be without several key players through injury as Anna Sandberg and Ella Toone are still recovering from long-term issues. Midfielder Hinata Miyazawa is away with Japan in the 2026 Asian Cup in Australia.
Key players
Jess Park: Jess Park has quickly established herself as one of Manchester United’s most influential attacking players. Operating primarily from the flanks but frequently drifting into central areas, she functions as a creative connector between midfield and attack. Beyond chance creation, Park also carries a scoring threat thanks to her long-range shooting and well-timed runs into the penalty area. Her tactical versatility allows her to operate not only as a winger but also as a central attacking midfielder when required, giving United greater structural flexibility.
Phallon Tullis-Joyce: Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce has been one of the pillars of United’s defensive strength. Renowned for her shot-stopping ability, she consistently performs above expected goals metrics and has been crucial in maintaining one of the strongest defensive records in the league, which could prove decisive in a final.
Maya Le Tissier: Club captain Maya Le Tissier is the organisational leader of United’s defence. Operating as a centre-back, she combines positional intelligence with strong anticipation in duels and interceptions. Her role is particularly important within United’s proactive defensive approach, where centre-backs are often required to step forward aggressively to challenge dropping forwards and support the team’s counter-pressing structure. As captain, her leadership and communication are central to maintaining the team’s defensive compactness and discipline.
Tune into The Cutback’s live Subway League Cup Final watchalong on Sunday 15th March. We’ll be joined by former England international and WSL legend Toni Duggan. Join us on YouTube at 2pm.
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