Manchester United and Arsenal played out a goalless draw in front of the hosts’ largest-ever Leigh Sports Village crowd, as both teams continued their unbeaten start to the Women’s Super League campaign.
On a sombre weekend for the sport after the news of the death of the former Liverpool, Chelsea and West Ham United manager Matt Beard, at the age of 47, late on Saturday evening, there was a moment’s silence held before kick-off. Manchester United and Arsenal’s supporters then spontaneously applauded on 47 minutes, with the travelling Arsenal fans displaying the words “We love you Beardy” on handheld signs.
While neither of these two teams were on the long list of WSL teams that Beard managed across his successful career, his influence on the game was so far-reaching, players and staff at both clubs knew him well, not least the new United assistant coach, Scott Rogers, who previously worked on Beard’s backroom team at Liverpool. United’s new goalkeeper coach, Joe Potts, was Liverpool’s goalkeeping coach under Beard too. They were both visibly emotional during the minute’s silence.
Similarly, Arsenal’s summer signings from Liverpool, Olivia Smith – who started the game – and the substitute Taylor Hinds had everybody’s respect for their professionalism in such challenging circumstances. Liverpool’s match at Aston Villa, scheduled for midday on Sunday, was postponed.
