Manchester United Women’s last home Barclays Women’s Super League match of the 2025/26 season finished in a 1-1 tie against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Progress With Unity Stadium.
With five changes from the previous weekend’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur, Ella Toone and Anna Sandberg made their first starts since returning from injury. Leah Galton, whose departure was announced for the summer, also featured in the squad for one final appearance in Leigh.
It was a touching moment before kickoff as Marc Skinner presented Galton with a special tribute, and fans across all stands rose to their feet to honor her eight years of dedication. Her popular chant echoed around the ground even before she entered as a substitute, and she received a heartfelt lap of honor from the north terrace after the whistle.
On the field, Jelena Cankovic capitalized on a United mistake to give Brighton the lead late in the first half. But the Reds kept pushing forward to avoid ending their memorable season with a home loss. Substitute Lea Schuller delivered a sharp finish in stoppage time—her first WSL goal—to secure a share of the points.
First Half United started strongly, creating threats down the left with combinations involving Toone, Sandberg, and Fridolina Rolfo. Brighton defended well, blocking efforts from Toone and Hinata Miyazawa to blunt the early pressure.
The visitors grew into the game and created half-chances, though Cankovic missed from a good spot. Chiamaka Nnadozie, the reigning African Goalkeeper of the Year, made crucial saves, including a sharp stop at Rolfo’s feet and a flying tip of Melvine Malard’s shot.
Those interventions proved vital when Cankovic pounced on a loose pass from Phallon Tullis-Joyce, rounded the keeper, and slotted home to put Brighton ahead against the run of play.
United hit the woodwork just before the break as a Toone cross clipped the bar.
Second Half The Reds maintained control after halftime. Jess Park had an early chance from Malard’s pass but fired wide, while Nnadozie again denied Malard with an alert interception.
Brighton remained dangerous on the counter, but United’s persistence paid off in added time. Jayde Riviere drove forward and set up Malard, whose low cross was finished clinically by Schuller past Nnadozie.
The result capped a special afternoon, with Galton’s farewell adding extra emotion to a resilient performance that summed up United’s fighting spirit this season.