Maya Le Tissier has been named as the new captain of Manchester United for the 2024/25 season, following the departure of Katie Zelem, who left the club in the summer. Le Tissier takes on this prestigious role after Zelem, a pivotal figure in the team, stepped down after her contract expired in June, shortly after lifting the FA Cup. Zelem had been captain since 2019 and is now set to begin a new chapter of her career with Angel City FC in the NWSL.
Le Tissier’s appointment as captain marks a significant moment in her career. Having joined Manchester United from Brighton & Hove Albion just two years ago, she has already made a profound impact on the squad, especially in her role as a centre-back. Her solid performances at the heart of the defense have quickly earned her the trust and admiration of her teammates and coaching staff alike. Upon receiving the armband, Le Tissier expressed her deep gratitude, saying, “It is an honour to be appointed captain of this wonderful football club, and I will wear the armband with great pride to help lead this squad to victory both on and off the pitch.” Her words reflect her strong commitment to not only excelling on the field but also being a guiding force for the team in all aspects.
Zelem’s tenure as captain left big shoes to fill, especially after her leadership helped Manchester United secure significant achievements, including their FA Cup triumph in May. As Zelem embarks on her new journey in the U.S., Le Tissier steps into the role during an exciting and pivotal time for the club. The centre-back has shown maturity and composure well beyond her years, establishing a strong defensive partnership with Millie Turner. Together, they helped Manchester United achieve a record-breaking 14 clean sheets in the 2022/23 Women’s Super League (WSL) season, a remarkable feat that underscored the club’s defensive prowess as they finished second in the league.
Beyond her club success, Le Tissier has also started to make waves on the international stage. After the Lionesses’ victorious Euro 2022 campaign, she earned her first senior call-up for England. Although she was included as a standby player for the 2023 World Cup and traveled with the team to Australia, she didn’t feature in the tournament. Le Tissier’s versatility, however, has posed challenges for her international career, as England manager Sarina Wiegman has primarily viewed her as a full-back, the position she occupied at Brighton, rather than her preferred role as a centre-back. This positional ambiguity has somewhat hindered her progression with the national team, but at just 22 years old, her international career still holds great potential.
Her rise at Manchester United has not gone unnoticed, as she was named the club’s joint Players’ Player of the Year at the end of the 2023/24 season, an accolade she shared with Ella Toone. Toone, another integral figure for United, has now been named the club’s vice-captain. Interestingly, under Zelem’s captaincy, there was no designated deputy, but Hayley Ladd often took on the role when required. The decision to officially appoint Toone as vice-captain further highlights the club’s focus on cultivating leadership from within their ranks.
Le Tissier’s future at Manchester United looks incredibly bright. She recently signed a new long-term contract that will keep her at the club until 2028, signaling her commitment to the team’s future success. Toone, too, has her own long-term deal, having signed a contract extension in 2022 that ties her to the club until the end of the upcoming season. Toone’s significance to the team cannot be understated, as she holds the record for the most appearances and goals for Manchester United, with an impressive 53 goals in 164 matches.
The duo of Le Tissier and Toone will undoubtedly form the backbone of Manchester United’s ambitions in the coming years. Their leadership on the pitch and their unwavering loyalty to the club are key ingredients in Manchester United’s quest for continued success, both domestically and in Europe. As the team embarks on the new season, all eyes will be on how Le Tissier and Toone steer the squad toward new heights, aiming to build on the foundations laid by Zelem and forge a new era of glory for the club.