#safia middleton-patel

[rashfordxbruno]

Manchester United Women goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel has been diagnosed with ASD (autism spectrum disorder).

The whole United family is so proud of you, Saf. 🫶

[mltcentral]

maya features (sort of) in new muwfc tiktok

via manutdwomen on tiktok

[mearpsdyke]

Manchester United Women as things me and my college friends have said (Part 1???)

Ona: When you're pretty, you'll be pretty no matter what you wear. Like me.

*

*half the squad is having a Deep Philosophical Debate™ while the other half are staring at them from the sides*

Ella, trying to sound smart: what IS thinking?? how do thoughts..... happen???

Everyone:

*

Rachel: are we going out on friday yes or no????

Safia: i'll have to ask my mom, i still have a curfew.

Rachel:

Rachel: *has an existencial crisis cause how is this baby on the same team as her where are her parents????*

*

*the academy babies are playing tag you're it during training breaks*

Grace: wow can you believe we used to be so childish like them??

Maya: what are you talking about we played tag yesterday.

*

Alessia: the girl i was talking to hasn't replied to me since yesterday but she's posting stories on ig. what should i do?

Hannah: kill her.

Alessia: can you calm down for TWO SECONDS HANNAH???

Hannah: my apologies. punch her in the face.

*

Leah: in all my time here i've only met three straight women. in my mind everyone here is gay until proven otherwise.

*

Millie, texting: i'm arriving at your place in 5

Maria: sorry bro i'm not home

Millie: who said i was going to see you i want to see theo

Maria: ....

Maria: bitch

[arsenal-womens-1]

Who is she ?

I was sitting in the car waiting for it to stop. I'm on my way to sign a concert for Manchester United.

I'm only 15. Yeah, I know I'm young, but for some reason they want me. I still don't get why, but they do. The car comes to a halt. looking up at the building. The outside of it looks smaller in the pictures. getting out. I stand there looking at the building. Sick comes up my throat. I move to the door, walking through the halls I would soon walk through every day for 3 years.

Marc Skinner, my new manager For his sake, he leads me through some halls. The room where I would be singing my contract was near a room where most of the team was, and a few people saw us and looked confused. I only recognized three of them. Mary Earps Leah Galton and Safia Middleton-Patel

 

Marc opens a door. a lode of cameras and a table with my top and a contract on it. I was about to join my childhood club at 15. feels like a dream. 

[cookiepotofchaos]

For all the progress that's been made in improving understanding and acceptance around disability, including neurodiversity, you regularly come across so many things that make you realise how much people still don't understand. Even people who would probably consider themselves well-informed on disability.

Over the past year, I've seen some posts or discussions about disability, including neurodivergence, in women's football. Sometimes this is as part of wider discussions about diversity in the sport, sometimes it's just disability being discussed.

Often, there are responses or comments which amount to, "someone with those needs couldn't be a professional footballer, that's why you don't hear of any Disabled women's footballers." I saw another comment like this today, which is what prompted this rambling thread of thoughts.

I mean... It's outright just incorrect, and we know this because of the players who have spoken about disability. The Matilda's Mackenzie Arnold has spoken about her progressive hearing loss, Safia Middleton-Patel of Manchester United has talked about being autistic, and Hannah Hampton of Chelsea has talked about her visual impairment.

Then, recently, I think it was Kelley O'Hara, retired USWNT player, who I read about discussing her chronic pain and mobility issues following repeated injuries throughout her career. So many players must be dealing with chronic pain and mobility issues, especially those like England's Lucy Bronze who have had repeated injuries. Then there are the footballers who have spoken about other health conditions, like Fran Kirby, Ellie Roebuck, Linda Caceido, and Caroline Graham Hansen.

They're just the ones I can think of without having to wrack my memories for what I've read. I bet if I spent even just half an hour researching, I'd find a lot more.

Then, outside of that, there is academic research where women's players in the professional leagues were interviewed, and the researchers found a high proportion of those interviewed seemed to meet the assessment criteria for mental health conditions.

For neurodivergence specifically, there are a bunch of players who, if they came out tomorrow and went "Hey, I'm neurodivergent", I would not be surprised in the slightest. Hell, if I'm honest, there are multiple players on the England Lionesses team alone, let alone looking beyond that.

I don't know why I'm surprised to see these rigid and incorrect ideas about disability and neurodivergence. I shouldn't be. I see it all the time in my work. It makes me glad, though, that there are players like those named above who do talk about being Disabled.

[tooneysunited]

As someone who is from a South Asian background I am so proud to see Safia Middleton-Patel in the squad today. More of my people are finally going into football and balling for MY club I'm so proud! ❤️

yeah that's amazing!! i think i read somewhere that last season she was the first player with a south asian background to make it into a senior team at united? hopefully it's only the beginning!

and safia is also a fantastic young goalkeeper with loads of potential, can't wait to see what the future holds for her

[mearpsdyke]

gk union 🫡

[mearpsdyke]

safia is part of the senior team now!!! 🥹🥹🥹