In Focus: Zelem providing steel and class for ambitious Red Devils

Few midfielders in the Women's Super League are as complete as Katie Zelem.

Manchester United's captain has made an impressive start to the season, playing key roles in the opening weekend victory over Aston Villa and last Friday's 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

Once a winger tasked with putting opposition defences to the sword, Zelem now does the job of supporting United's attack as a deep-lying central midfielder.

Ahead of tomorrow's clash with Leicester, we take a look at the 27-year-old's importance to Marc Skinner's side.

All-round quality

While always gifted technically, Zelem has added real steel to her game at United.

She ranks first in the WSL for tackles with 11, six of which were made in the middle third of the pitch.

On top of her ability to protect United's back four and win the ball back, Zelem is also adept both in possession and creatively.

She ranks inside the WSL's top 10 for completed long passes (17) and places second for shot creating actions (13) — a total bettered only by Chelsea flyer Guro Reiten (15).

Zelem's quality as a creator was clear for all to see last season as she provided eight assists in 21 league appearances, with Aston Villa's Kenza Dali the sole player to make more progressive passes (139).

Her unique ability to operate as both a defensive and attacking midfielder is why she is indispensable to United and a regular in Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses squad.

Progress made

Zelem is into her sixth season with United after joining from Juventus in 2018 and has firmly established herself as a leader in a team which has made huge strides forward in recent years.

Back in May, she said: "It was actually a difficult decision to make when I came back. I'd just won the league with Juventus and we'd just got into the Champions League.

"I didn't know if it would be a backwards step — I can hand on heart say it was the best decision I ever made.

"Looking back to where we were and where we are now, competing for titles and in FA Cup finals, it's a real honour for me to represent this club."

Trophy craving

Zelem's goals for this season are not a secret, with major silverware her number one priority.

She added: "Manchester United is about winning trophies. That is something we want to do."

The Red Devils finished as runner-up in the WSL last term, while also suffering defeat at the hands of champions Chelsea in May's FA Cup final.

But after finishing just two points behind the Blues, another title charge is certainly a realistic aim for Skinner's side.

And if Zelem continues to perform at her best, no team will look forward to the prospect of facing United.