Women’s League Cup final: Chelsea v Manchester United – but who needs to win more?

Chelsea won all the domestic trophies in the 2024-25 season, unbeaten in the process, during coach Sonia Bombastor’s first season in charge.

They beat United 3-0 in the Women’s FA Cup final as part of that triple success, but the campaign has not been as smooth as this time around.

The Blues are nine points behind Manchester City, leaders of the Women’s Super League, threatening the end of their dominance in the league for six years.

As a result, Bombastor has come under pressure, while off-field issues – including the departure of women’s football boss Paul Green – have raised concerns.

But if they win the League Cup, will that quiet the criticism and confirm Chelsea’s status as serial winners?

“I always expect there will be a lot of hype around Chelsea,” Bombastor said. “There will be hype when you lose, or when something happens, because I think this club is the best in England.”

“That’s why this happens and I’m completely fine with it. It’s also important that when you’re in high moments you don’t go too high and in more low moments you don’t go too low.

“We just want to win because that’s part of our DNA. I don’t want to win because people are talking or making noise. That’s not what drives us.”

Chelsea have a formidable record against United, having beaten them in two of the past three FA Cup finals and being unbeaten in 12 Champions League matches.

They scored the winner in extra time to knock United out of the FA Cup fifth round in their last game, a 1-1 draw with Leigh Sports Village in October.

Bombastor says the record is a confidence booster and success on Sunday could help build momentum for the rest of the season, with the trophy under their belt.

But she knows that United have strengthened and it will not be easy to defend the first trophy she won as Chelsea coach.

She added: “Every team strengthens its team, becomes more competitive and brings us more challenges.”

“When you are Chelsea, if you want to maintain success, and stay in the top position, you need to work hard and make sure you anticipate the future.

“It has become more difficult, the competition has become tougher, and now any team can beat any team. We know that.

“When you’re at a club like Chelsea, and for me on an individual level, once you win the title, your next thought is ‘What do I have to do to win the next one?’