Green knows Chelsea face a tough battle against United

Chelsea general manager Paul Green anticipates Sunday's Women's Super League top-two encounter with Manchester United will be a "terrific game". 

One point separates the teams ahead of the contest at Kingsmeadow, with leaders United having played a match more than the champions.

After losing 3-1 to Arsenal in the League Cup final last weekend, the Blues returned to winning ways in the WSL on Wednesday by beating Brighton 3-1 with a starting line-up showing seven changes. 

Green, who sat in for unwell boss Emma Hayes at the press conference ahead of the United clash, said: "Everybody that came in for the Brighton game acquitted themselves really well and has staked a claim to perhaps start against United. 

"We certainly have a great squad and we're really pleased with the reaction to the cup final defeat. We'll be looking to build on that going into the game on Sunday. 

"We're used to these big games, we're used to playing against United. We had a good result up there against them earlier in the season. 

"We know they've got strengths and qualities and we're going to have to do our best.

"Likewise, we've got a lot of quality in our own side so it's going to be a terrific game." 

Green revealed Hayes had a "viral illness' and that the hope was she would be back in time to be in the dugout on Sunday.

But if not, he and assistant coach Denise Reddy will oversee the team, as they did earlier in the season. 

Green and Reddy stepped in for six matches after Hayes underwent an emergency hysterectomy in October, all of which were victories, including a 3-1 win at United. 

The Red Devils have not won any of their six WSL meetings to date with Chelsea since winning promotion to the division in 2019, losing five times. 

The 3-1 defeat to the Blues in November was the only loss they have suffered so far in their WSL campaign. 

United boss Marc Skinner said: "We're going to definitely need to be ruthless against Chelsea because you don't get many chances.

"So we have to make sure we take them when we create them. 

"This game won't define the title but we have to show we have the mental capacity to go into these games and not fear an opponent.

"I felt that when we played them at home, it took us far too long [to get going]. When we got into the second half, I felt we didn't maximise our opportunities and potential.

"That's what I'm going to expect us to get right. We've shown a lot of resilience this year and a lot of growth and I want to see that again in this game."

United won 5-1 against Leicester last weekend, with Alessia Russo scoring a hat-trick. 

Two points behind Chelsea in third, having played the same number of matches as United, are Gareth Taylor's Manchester City, who go to Brighton on Sunday. 

Arsenal, 2-0 victors over Liverpool on Wednesday, are three points further back in fourth, with a game in hand like Chelsea.

Jonas Eidevall's side play Reading at home in the evening kick-off. 

Bottom side Leicester — two points adrift of 11th-placed Brighton having played a game more — entertain Everton, Liverpool host a Tottenham outfit beaten in each of their last eight league outings and Aston Villa are at West Ham.