#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. 🫶

[unitedbydevils]

Match Review: Manchester United Women 5-3 Newcastle United Women

Well it wasn't difficult, but we didn't make it easy either...

Before we begin - a first start for backup keeper and Wales international Safia Middleton-Patel, who I'm a big fan of. Phallon is clear of her in terms of goalkeeping ability (at present - and she is older) but Saf being autistic presents a different challenge for herself and United's coaching staff in terms of training, development and more, so it's fantastic to see her going from strength to strength.

The game itself was a corker for the neutrals, but that I am not so lets break it down:

A pinpoint corner from Anna Sandberg on the right side forced a mistake and an own goal from Lia Cataldo in the 9th minute to make it 1-0 United.

Newcastle countered four minutes later through Deanna Cooper; a good finish to beat SMP in net but dogshit defending from United. Simi Awujo just hovering behind her shoulder, Hayley Ladd trotting alongside, Millie Turner hesitant to get stuck in, Dominique Janssen the wrong side of her attacker... Saf could perhaps have done more with the save but you expect more protection when you have a fresh face in net - especially a youngster. 1-1.

Luckily, Emma Watson had a baller game. She came close with a chance soon after this and finally bagged her first United goal in the 24th minute - an cool side-foot finish past the outrushing Newcastle keeper Claudia Moan after some unchallenged dribbling from captain Maya Le Tissier, who worked her way across into in the D of the Newcastle box.

In the second half, Newcastle would strike back to even the tie almost immediately; Amy Andrews scoring a tidy shot that again, Middleton-Patel got close to. I do believe Phallon or Earps save that, but Gabby George deputising at CB made a huge error, and Millie Turner did nothing to help bail her out. 2-2.

20 minutes later and Grace Clinton would produce a bit of magic with a tough acute shot that rebounded to Rach Williams for a tap in. 3-2 United, lead restored.

In the 83rd minute we got another first goal for United, this time from Gabby George who to be fair improved steadily as the game went on at CB. A beautiful floated free kick from Anna Sandberg was met by the stooping head of George to put United clear at 4-2.

2 minutes from time and again Grace Clinton came into action, releasing Leah Galton down the left for a FIFA-style square pass into the box and an easy (albeit almost fluffed lmao) tap-in for substitute Elisabeth Terland. 5-2 United, points secured, surely?

There would be one more flashpoint in the game, in the third minute of stoppage time, with poor headers from George and Ladd allowing Lois Joel to hit one from 25 yards out with a weird bobble mid-way that threw Middleton-Patel's dive prediction off and gave Newcastle a little more of a consolation at a 5-3 defeat.

Rotation is important, and this was a good performance from a rotated side. Were it not rotated... I'd have quibbles. I expect a little more from the keeper, I definitely expect more confident defending from the back 4 and my DMs. Things to be worked on, but nothing scary or disastrous, so we move.

I personally would like to have seen Lucy Newell feature, so maybe start Gabby over Dom and then bring Lucy in, but I was happy for Safia, Emma Watson's full 90, the first United goals for Emma and Gabby, and a full 90 in the tank for Anna Sandberg whose set pieces... oof, big dog. Here's hoping Lucy can make a debut against her former side West Brom in January at least...

This was the last game at LSV for 2024, and next up is Crystal Palace away on Sunday at 2pm.

As mentioned, we return in the New Year for a home game in the FA Cup 4th Round against West Bromwich Albion - a team I have a degree of connection with, photographing them most weeks. Being honest, United should absolutely maul them, but as it's an away game for them I have no chance of bagging my usual photo pass. Here's hoping my United connections can work some magic, but otherwise I'll be cheering United on from the stands!

As always, United's YouTube account hates embeds and links to watch videos in their player, so WSL Channel it is. Grow up, United.

[hedghost]

actually mad that in the game last night we conceded the same number of goals that we’ve conceded in the league this whole season, like damn that’s CRAZY

few things to take from that stat though:

phallon is without a doubt the mvp of the season (we been knew but like, stay with me). regardless of saf, our defence shouldn’t be allowing that to happen, so that drives home how many times ptj has saved our asses

we need a keeper in the january window. no hate to saf, i didn’t think she was too bad, but it’s clear that if phallon were to get injured we’d be in big trouble

saf needs a loan. she’s only 20, and this was her FIRST senior competitive start for us. she NEEDS game time, otherwise we are squandering the potential of yet another academy player

our defence has BIG weak spots. overall the defence is good, but we make too many mistakes and we will be punished time and time again for it. again, we been knew, but like, we should not be conceding 3 to a championship team, regardless of who is in goal. mistakes from outfield players caused those goals, not saf.

skinner out

[mltcentral]

maya features (sort of) in new muwfc tiktok

via manutdwomen on tiktok

[cookies-sports]

Interesting interview with Manchester United's Safia Middleton-Patel about being autistic and a professional footballer.

Middleton-Patel certainly won't be the only autistic footballer, let alone the only neurodivergent footballer (actually...didn't Lucy Bronze do an interview recently where she talked about being diagnosed with ADHD during the pandemic?), but as she says it is still rarely talked about.

[muwfc-pics]

Saf & Hayley for Wales

[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!!! 🥹🥹🥹