Knock. Knock. The interview pauses for a second as defender Millie Turner pokes her head across the nook of the MUTV studio.
“Smallest knock ever,” says Katie Zelem, having fun with the irony of her team-mate’s timid interruption halfway by means of speaking about how momentous the Manchester United squad have been all through their triumphant FA Cup journey.
“I’m glad this interview happened today [Wednesday] and not yesterday, because I had no voice,” the captain continues, who gave a quick perception into the gamers’ celebrations on Sunday night, “we danced on chairs and sung a lot”, however says the remainder of “the tea” will stay undisclosed.
Zelem was one among many standout performers at Wembley as Man United lifted their first main piece of silverware, however she’s the common-or-garden kind. Removed from speaking about her particular person contribution, she explains how the achievement is the product of a collective drive to succeed.
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“When the ultimate whistle went it was a combination of happiness and aid. I simply thought ‘wow, what a journey we have been on’. I’ve had so many messages of thanks from folks, and all I can reply is ‘no, thanks’, as a result of we have wanted the help and sharing pleased moments is the way it must be.
Manchester United captain Katie Zelem lifts the FA Cup trophy
“I do suppose it is necessary to stay within the second and have a good time it, soccer does not stand nonetheless. We scored the fourth aim and I ran previous Hannah Blundell saying ‘we have gained the FA Cup’, and he or she jogged my memory the sport wasn’t over but, however I simply knew it.
“Last year we had our best season yet, and nothing to show for it, so for us it’s about competing for trophies as a group – that’s why you sign for Manchester United.”
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Highlights of the Ladies’s Tremendous League match between Liverpool and Manchester United
All profitable sides have unsung heroes, and it occurs that Manchester United’s is Zelem. She’s one among three gamers – alongside Mary Earps and Maya Le Tissier – to have performed each minute of the WSL marketing campaign, all 1,890 of them. And her affect is substantial.
The midfielder has created a league-high 55 probabilities, whereas additionally registering 198 passes into the opposition field, essentially the most of any participant within the competitors. She leads effectively too, utilizing her expertise and soccer mind to information and handle this younger United group.
Katie Zelem has performed each minute of Man United’s WSL marketing campaign this season
“I never expected any of this – Manchester United didn’t have a women’s team when I was younger,” she continues. “People must be sick of me talking about how my dreams have come true at this club. I’m so privileged to get to do this, and apparently all my family were crying at Wembley.
“On the last whistle I used to be struggling to catch my breath, however I am not a crier.”
The sincerity in each of Zelem’s answers is endearing, and the approach so refreshingly unguarded it’s as if we’re sat in a living room, enjoying chit-chat over a cuppa.
You would not essentially count on it, however the 28-year-old readily admits to being a “football geek”, albeit her studying and understanding of the sport is so spectacular that truth got here as little shock to this journalist.
“I like to look and compare league tables,” she says, earlier than pointing to the truth that Manchester Metropolis or Chelsea are in line to win this 12 months’s WSL title on 55 factors, and but Man United completed final season on 56 however solely got here second. “You forget how competitive this league is,” she provides.
Manchester United face Chelsea on the ultimate day, stay on Sky Sports activities, with the Blues primed to win their fifth straight championship. Not on Zelem’s watch. With Wembley momentum on facet, the Better Manchester native believes that is the right time to derail Chelsea’s title bid, whereas making certain her facet lay down a marker forward of subsequent season.
Katie Zelem has been one among Man United’s most constant performers this season.
“It feels like a whole different vibe playing Chelsea now. We know they’re unbelievable, and playing for the title, but we’re here to ruin it.
“The factor about signing for Manchester United is that the expectation is you are a winner.
“This club has got such a rich history. We’re so glad the women’s team has now added to that, but the ambition only grows, it doesn’t die because we’ve won something.”
Dialog turns to strain. True to type, Zelem navigates the subject material fairly effortlessly.
Man United have gained three of their 4 league video games on the ultimate day, though that sole loss got here in a 4-2 defeat to Chelsea in 2022. To date, they’ve didn’t get the higher of the Blues in league competitors in eight instances of making an attempt, regardless of dumping them out of the FA Cup.
Manchester United beat Chelsea on path to FA Cup glory – however have by no means overwhelmed the Blues within the WSL
Why ought to this be any completely different?
“No one is here to just participate. This job comes with pressure, it’s a job like no other, people openly and happily criticise you just for doing your job every day.
“My mum works for the NHS, nobody is shouting abuse at her whereas she’s tapping away on the laptop. It is a job that is so distinctive and you need to admire the pressures, rightly or wrongly.
“We want to finish on a high. It’s about taking performances into next year. Winning on Saturday off the back of the FA Cup would be a great footstep into next season.”
Watch Man United vs Chelsea on the ultimate day of the WSL season stay on Sky Sports activities Soccer this Saturday from 2pm; kick-off 3pm
