Manchester United vs Chelsea Women LIVE!
It promises to be an exciting and emotional day at Old Trafford. It's the final day of the Women's Super League season and Emma Hayes' final game as Chelsea manager... oh, and the WSL title is on the line. It's been a wild few weeks for Hayes and the Blues, who seemed to end the season on a bit of a note and both received a helping hand from Arsenal.
Title rivals Manchester City looked set to secure victory in midweek that would all but clinch the title, but two goals in the final minutes from the Gunners secured a 2-1 win and took the title race to the final day. It seems almost predestined that Hayes will win a 14th major trophy during his Chelsea spell in her swan song.
However, United may prove to be party-poopers, and Hayes will be aware of that. Chelsea need to win, can they send Hayes away in style? Follow the match LIVE below with our special match blog.
WSL last day latest news
The atmosphere is building outside Old Trafford.
Chelsea team news
Lauren James tries to start after a late cameo in the win over Tottenham in midweek. It was the striker's first appearance in three games but he is likely to be fit for a place in Emma Hayes' last XI.
James scored a hat-trick the last time these two teams met, in a 3-1 win.
Fran Kirby is expected to have a late cameo in what will be her final match.
Chelsea are without Sam Kerr, Mia Fishel and defender Aniek Nouwen due to knee injuries. There are question marks about Jelena Cankovic and Mayra Ramirez.
Hayes: The pressure is off Chelsea
Emma Hayes will be proud of her players regardless of the outcome of Saturday's Women's Super League final.
Ahead of their clash with FA Cup winners Manchester United at Old Trafford, Chelsea sit top of the table on goal difference, two better off than second-placed Manchester City, whose last match is against Aston Villa at Villa Park.
The west Londoners are bidding for what would be a fifth consecutive WSL title and a 14th major trophy in 12 years under Hayes, who will then leave to take charge of the US women's team.
Hayes told a press conference: "I want to be as professional as possible until the end. So all attention and focus goes to getting a team ready today.
"I want to have a great training session, hopefully we can play in front of a sold out or almost sold out crowd at Old Trafford.
And to win a title on the last day, that's all I asked from the players. Regardless of tomorrow's outcome, I'm just extremely proud of the efforts to put us in this position.
"I think we're used to being in that position. We won a lot and so I don't really think the pressure is on us.
"Of course I would like to leave with another title, but it certainly won't define my tenure here.
"I promise you that tomorrow they will play in freedom. There is no pressure, just joy and privilege, and their manager is so very proud of everything they have done and I just want to look ahead and make sure it is a day where we can just be Chelsea tomorrow."
Big day
WSL title permutations
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes almost conceded the title after a 4-3 defeat to Liverpool on 1 May, as they fell six points behind City with less goal difference but still with a game in hand.
Chelsea managed to capitalize on City's misstep by winning both matches, including an 8-0 thrashing of already relegated Bristol City, meaning they now have a better goal difference than their rivals and are therefore top of the table.
All Chelsea has to do to then win a record seventh WSL title in Hayes' last match in charge before she leaves to take over the US national team at least matches City's result on the final day. Chelsea play away from home against fifth-placed FA Cup winners Manchester United, while Manchester City travel to seventh-placed Aston Villa.
If both teams win City need to improve Chelsea's winning margin by at least three goals. If both teams lose, City will have to lose three goals fewer than Chelsea.
When both teams are equal on goal difference at the end of those matches, the title will be determined by who has scored the most goals.
Chelsea have currently scored six more, so it's likely that will be enough to find a winner. If that's not enough, the title will be settled on head-to-head record, with City having the lead after a 1-0 win over Chelsea in February. In October both sides drew 1-1.
Emma Hayes could give Chelsea a parting gift in the best way possible
On her final day in charge at Chelsea, Emma Hayes secured her most dramatic Women's Super League title to date. The tension will be higher than ever, but that's just how she likes it.
Speaking on Wednesday evening, after Chelsea's 1-0 win over Tottenham put them top of the table (ahead of Manchester City on goal difference), Hayes gave some insight into her team-talking style. 'I told them: proverbially it's like going in with a gun in your mouth. How do you want to respond to that?"
It was a classic line from Hayes, which paints a vivid picture of the pressure cooker in which Chelsea works. This is the fourth year in a row that the title race has gone to the final day of the season and in each year Chelsea have found a way to put themselves in the driver's seat.
"That will be the thing I remember the most," Hayes said of her team. "It won't be the victories, it will be the ability of man to keep finding a way." The same could be said about how Hayes will be remembered in England, where the overstuffed silverware - 15 trophies and possibly a 16th - does little to fully measure her impact on women's football in this country.
If her team beats Manchester United at Old Trafford, or simply improves on Manchester City's result at Villa Park, they will clinch their fifth consecutive WSL title. However it turns out, Hayes will leave a huge hole in women's football.
During her reign at Chelsea, Hayes became the sport's unofficial spokesperson, coinciding with a crucial moment of growth. She is by far the most high-profile female manager in the country, rivaled only by England manager Sarina Wiegman.
Read more: Emma Hayes could give Chelsea a parting gift in the best way possibleHow to watch Manchester United vs Chelsea
TV channel: In the UK, live coverage of Manchester United vs Chelsea will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Showcase and Sky Sports Ultra HDR.
Live stream: Fans with a Sky Sports subscription can also watch the match live online via the Sky Go app.
Welcome
Good afternoon and welcome to Standard's LIVE coverage of the Women's Super League match between Manchester United and Chelsea.
It is Emma Hayes' final game as manager, ending a 12-year reign, and the WSL title is on the line. The Blues must beat United to claim a fifth crown on the trot and deny Manchester City.
Kick-off at Old Trafford is at 3pm. Stay with us.
