Article | Manchester United

Skinner’s options have been boosted by new additions Hannah Blundell, Aoife Mannion and Martha Thomas, who have all signed for the club within the last week. Thomas, a Scottish international, reached the semi-finals with her former side West Ham United last season and will be looking to go one better with her new team-mates when the cup campaign gets under way in October. 

Chelsea will be hoping to push on following back-to-back Continental Cup successes in 2019/20 and 2020/21 – the holders convincingly beat Bristol City 6-0 in the final at Vicarage Road back in March. The Blues also helped themselves to a fourth WSL title last season and silverware will once again be at the forefront of manager Emma Hayes’ mind.

All 24 teams from the WSL and Championship will compete for the coveted prize, with the final due to take place in March 2022. In a slight change to the format this season, teams competing in the UEFA Women’s Champions’ League group stage will receive a bye into the quarter-finals. This currently only applies to Chelsea but should Manchester City and Arsenal also proceed past the Champions League qualifying rounds, they will join the West London club in the Continental Cup’s last eight.  

The group stages get under way on 13 and 14 October, just days after United are due to face local rivals Manchester City in the WSL on Sunday 10 October.