Manchester United midfielder Emma Watson faces a spell on the sidelines after the club confirmed she suffered a serious knee injury while on international duty.
The 17-year-old has yet to feature for United since joining the Women’s Super League side from Rangers in the summer.
Watson, who has scored three goals in four senior caps for Scotland, is the latest player in the women’s game to sustain an ACL injury.
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Jill Scott gives her predictions on late transfers, teams to watch, and who she thinks will clinch the WSL title at the end of the season
“Manchester United can today confirm that midfielder Emma Watson suffered an ACL injury while on international duty with Scotland,” the club announced in a statement.
“The 17-year-old is currently undergoing treatment and rehabilitation at Carrington with the support of our medical teams.
“Everyone at Manchester United will be working closely with Emma to support her recovery.”
How to follow WSL on Sky Sports’ digital platforms
Follow all the latest from the Women’s Super League across SkySports.com and app, including exclusive features and interviews, plus dedicated live blog coverage and in-game clips from matches live on Sky Sports.
You can also watch free match highlights from every WSL game this season on Sky Sports’ digital platforms and YouTube channel.
Alongside coverage and visibility for the league across all Sky Sports’ main social media channels, the bespoke Twitter channel @SkySportsWSL will continue to be the home of all Barclays FA WSL content on Sky Sports.
The Sky Sports WSL TikTok account gives fans 360° coverage of the league and granting them exclusive access to their new favourite players. Through fun challenges and interviews, along with behind-the-scenes footage, viewers will get to know the WSL’s array of personalities and see the sport from a new set of angles.
Meanwhile, fans can also keep up to date with everything on and off the pitch with the return of ‘Three Players and a Podcast’, hosted by Caroline Barker.
Key dates for the 2023/24 women’s football season
- Barclays Women’s Super League opening weekend: Sunday October 1
- Barclays Women’s Championship opening weekend: August 26 – August 27
- FA Women’s Continental League Cup final: March 30/31
- Barclays Women’s Championship final weekend: Sunday April 28
- Vitality Women’s FA Cup final: May 11/12
- Barclays Women’s Super League final weekend: Sunday May 18
Skinner: Why Man Utd should be feared and fearless this season
Manchester United are heading into another phase of their evolution.
Five years after their reformation as a women’s team, they find themselves on the cusp of their Champions League debut. They face PSG over two legs in October for a place in the group stages.
But new challenges to come, new opponents to face and new competitions to focus on have meant another summer of multiple incomings and outgoings.
Twenty-two players have departed, including five loans. Estelle Cascarino has also returned to her parent club PSG after her loan spell.
But arguably only three of those were regular first team players. Alessia Russo and Ona Batlle both left on free transfers to Arsenal and Barcelona respectively, while Vilde Boa Rise joined Atletico Madrid.
While the number of outgoings may seem excessive, Skinner explained how Man Utd’s rapid growth has meant another development of the squad was needed.
“Firstly, I want to thank all of them,” he said. “They are a rich part of our history, although it’s only a small history. They helped us last season to get to the Champions League this season, for example.
“So I want to say a huge thank you to all of those and we said to every player that left that this is your family. If you ever need anything, reach out.
“We’re in a really unique position which I don’t think anyone else in the league is in. Four seasons ago, we were a Championship team coming into the WSL, then we’re trying to crack the top four, then the top three and then trying to win it.”