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Manchester United W.F.C.

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This article is about the women's football club. For the men's football club, see Manchester United F.C.

Manchester United Women
The words "Manchester" and "United" surround a pennant featuring a ship in full sail and a devil holding a trident.
Full nameManchester United Women Football Club
Nickname(s)The Red Devils
Founded28 May 2018; 6 years ago (2018-05-28)
GroundLeigh Sports Village, Old Trafford
Capacity12,000
OwnerManchester United plc (75%)
INEOS (25%)
Co-chairmenJoel and Avram Glazer
Head coachMarc Skinner
LeagueWomen's Super League
2023–24WSL, 5th of 12
Websitehttps://www.manutd.com/en/news/women
Current season
Departments of Manchester United
Men's football Women's football Academy
Basketball
(defunct)

Manchester United Women Football Club is a professional football club based in Leigh, Greater Manchester, England, that competes in the Women's Super League (WSL), the top tier of English women's football, after gaining promotion from the Championship at the end of the 2018–19 season.

History

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1970s–2001: Unofficial teams

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Ratified in 1921, the ban by The Football Association prohibiting women's football from being played at any of its clubs was formally lifted in 1971.[1]

An unofficial team called United Ladies of Manchester was formed circa 1970[specify] by a group of Stretford Enders. They trained at the club's training ground, The Cliff, and arranged matches against other clubs' unofficial women's teams.

Manchester United Supporters Club Ladies began operations in the late 1970s and was unofficially recognised as the club's senior women's team. In their earliest form they were a charity team that played fundraising matches and played its first game in October 1977. In 1979, the team joined the Three Counties League under the auspices of the Women's Football Association and started playing competitively. With the league covering a large area, United's committee campaigned for a local league and in 1982 the Women's FA approved the creation of the Manchester & District League, of which Manchester United Supporters Club Ladies was a founding member and won the first three seasons.[2] In 1989, the combined Manchester & Merseyside League, North West Women's League, and the Three Counties League merged to form the North West Women's Regional Football League. The league was spread across four divisions and included 42 teams. At the same time, the team approached Manchester United F.C. for support and more formal backing. The club agreed and the team was allowed to use the name Manchester United Ladies FC, matches were advertised in the club's programme and the team was allowed to train at The Cliff.[3][4] The team became increasingly competitive throughout the 1990s at various levels of the FA Women's National League up until 2001.[5]

2001–2005: Partnership and disbandment

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It's very disappointing. The progress of women's football can be really helped by professional clubs taking women's teams under their umbrella and it's a blow to the game that a great club like Manchester United will no longer be doing this.

—Ray Kiddell, FA vice-chairman, 2005[6]

In 2001, the team formed an official partnership with Manchester United. However, the club began to stagnate with a string of successive mid-table finishes in the third division.[4] The team were disbanded four years later, in 2005, shortly after Malcolm Glazer's completed takeover with the new regime deeming the women's team to not be part of the "core business" and unprofitable.[7] A media spokesman for Manchester United also claimed the club wanted to focus on its women's academy instead of its senior team.[6]

2018–present: Current team

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Manchester United celebrate winning the Championship title in their inaugural season

In March 2018, Manchester United announced their intentions to reintroduce a women's football team.[8] Manchester United Women Football Club were founded on 28 May 2018, following the club's successful application to join the newly-formed 2018–19 FA Women's Championship.[9][10] It marked the club's return to women's football after a thirteen-year absence; though the club's academy continued via the Manchester United Foundation, with the likes of Izzy Christiansen and Katie Zelem being produced by United's Centre of Excellence academy.[6][11] Casey Stoney was appointed as the club's first head coach on 8 June,[12] with their inaugural 21-player squad announced just over a month later.

The team's first game back was on 19 August 2018, where they won 1–0 in an away game against Liverpool in the FA Women's League Cup, with Lizzie Arnot scoring their first competitive goal in thirteen years.[13] Three weeks later, their opening Championship encounter ended in a 12–0 victory away to Aston Villa.[14] On 17 April 2019, United secured promotion to the FA Women's Super League following a 5–0 win against the same opposition.[15] They clinched the FA Women's Championship title three days later following a 7–0 win at home to Crystal Palace.[16] In May 2019, Manchester United were named FA Women's Championship Club of the Year at the 2019 FA Women's Football Awards.[17]

The 2019–20 season was the team's maiden FA WSL campaign. The season opener was a Manchester derby, held at the City of Manchester Stadium. Manchester City won the match 1–0 in front of a then league record attendance of 31,213.[18][19] United's first top-flight campaign was ended prematurely after the season was curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic with the team awarded fourth place on a points per game basis.[20] The last game was a 3–2 victory over Everton on 23 February 2020, with Leah Galton scoring twice and Ella Toone scoring once for Manchester United in the first game played at Everton's new Walton Hall Park stadium.[21] In the FA Cup, Manchester United lost 3–2 to Manchester City in the fourth round, the first time they had lost in the first knockout round of a competition.[22] However, they repeated their best League Cup finish by reaching the semi-finals for the second consecutive year, losing 1–0 to eventual cup winners Chelsea.[23]

Manchester United Women played their first game at Old Trafford, against West Ham United, during the men's March 2021 international break.[24] Manchester United won the game 2–0.[25]

On 12 May 2021, Manchester United announced that Casey Stoney would stand down from her role as head coach at the end of the season.[26] On 29 July 2021, Marc Skinner was announced as the new head coach on a two-year contract, with the option for a further year.[27] Skinner confirmed in March 2023 that the 12-month extension option was triggered, keeping him at the club until 2024.[28] Later that season the team reached a major cup final for the first time, losing 1–0 to Chelsea in the 2023 Women's FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.[29] After finishing as runners-up in the WSL, the team qualified for the UEFA Women's Champions League for the first time ahead of the 2023–24 season. United were drawn against Paris Saint-Germain in the second qualifying round and earned a 1–1 draw at home before a 3–1 defeat in the second leg ended the debut European campaign.[30]

On 12 May 2024, United defeated Tottenham Hotspur 4–0 in the 2024 Women's FA Cup final to win their first major title.[31]

For the 2024–25 season the club will play three games at Old Trafford, an increase from two which they had played in the previous two seasons.[32]

Ground

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The Leigh Sports Village has been the venue for the majority of the club's home games.

Following the club's acceptance into the 2018–19 FA Women's Championship, it was revealed that the women's team would be based in Broughton, Salford at The Cliff training ground; subject to completion of redevelopment work.[10] United were to play their fixtures at Leigh Sports Village until this was completed,[33] however the stadium has become the club's official home ground as the return to The Cliff never materialised. Moss Lane served as a backup venue, during the teams early years, when Leigh Sports Village is unavailable.[34] Ewen Fields has also been used as a contingency plan, hosting United's FA Cup fifth round match against London Bees in February 2019.[35] In March 2021, it was announced that the women's team would play their first ever game at Old Trafford later that month against West Ham United.[36] In March 2022, the team played for the second time at Old Trafford and the first with fans present, beating Everton 3–1 in front of a club record 20,241 fans.[37]

Players

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Main article: List of Manchester United W.F.C. players
See also: List of Manchester United W.F.C. players § Club captains
For details of current and former players, see Category:Manchester United W.F.C. players.

Current squad

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Manchester United in February 2019 before a match against Arsenal
As of 2 October 2024[38]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
2 DF Sweden SWE Anna Sandberg
3 DF England ENG Gabby George
4 DF England ENG Maya Le Tissier (captain)
5 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Aoife Mannion
6 DF England ENG Hannah Blundell
7 MF England ENG Ella Toone (vice-captain)
8 MF England ENG Grace Clinton
9 FW France FRA Melvine Malard
11 MF England ENG Leah Galton
12 MF Wales WAL Hayley Ladd
13 MF Canada CAN Simi Awujo
14 DF Canada CAN Jayde Riviere
15 FW Norway NOR Celin Bizet
16 MF Norway NOR Lisa Naalsund
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 DF Netherlands NED Dominique Janssen
19 FW Norway NOR Elisabeth Terland
20 MF Japan JPN Hinata Miyazawa
21 DF England ENG Millie Turner
23 FW Brazil BRA Geyse
25 DF England ENG Evie Rabjohn
28 FW England ENG Rachel Williams
34 MF Scotland SCO Emma Watson
37 FW England ENG Keira Barry
38 DF England ENG Jess Simpson
39 GK Wales WAL Safia Middleton-Patel
55 DF England ENG Lucy Newell
91 GK United States USA Phallon Tullis-Joyce

Out on loan

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
36 FW England ENG Alyssa Aherne (at Sheffield United until 30 June 2025)[39]

Player of the Year

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Season Player of the Year Players' Player of the Year
Name Nationality Position Notes Ref. Name Nationality Position Notes Ref.
2018–19 Katie Zelem  England Midfielder Inaugural winner [40] —
2019–20 Hayley Ladd  Wales Midfielder [41]
2020–21 Ona Batlle  Spain Defender First non-British winner [42]
2021–22 Ella Toone  England Midfielder [43] Alessia Russo  England Forward Inaugural winner [44]
2022–23 Alessia Russo  England Forward First to win both awards [45] Hannah Blundell  England Defender [46]
2023–24 Ella Toone  England Midfielder First repeat winner and first to win both awards in the same season [47] Maya Le Tissier  England Defender First shared award [48]
Ella Toone  England Midfielder

Coaching staff

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First-team

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As of 22 November 2023.
Position Staff
Head coach England Marc Skinner
Assistant coaches England Dan Bale[49]
England Charlotte Healy
Goalkeeping coach England Ian Willcock[50]
Strength & conditioning coach England Tommy Munday

Higher management

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Position Staff
Director of football England Dan Ashworth[51]
Head of women's football England Matt Johnson (interim)[52]
For a full list see Management of Manchester United F.C.

Managerial statistics

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Information correct as of 3 November 2024. Only competitive matches are counted.

List of Manchester United W.F.C. managers
Image Name Nationality From To P W D L GF GA Win%[nb 1] Honours Notes
Casey Stoney  England 8 June 2018 16 May 2021 77 52 6 19 213 60 067.53 1 Championship title [12][53]
Marc Skinner  England 29 July 2021 present 100 62 20 18 223 99 062.00 1 FA Cup title [54]

Honours

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Seasons

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Key

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  • QR2 = Second qualifying round
  • GS = Group stage
  • QF = Quarter-finals
  • SF = Semi-finals
Champions Runners-up Promoted Relegated

Season summary

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Results of league and cup competitions by season
Season League FA Cup League Cup Champions League Top goalscorer[nb 2]
Division P W D L F A Pts Pos Name Goals
2018–19 Championship 20 18 1 1 98 7 55 1st QF SF N/A Jessica Sigsworth 18
2019–20 WSL 14 7 2 5 24 12 23 4th R4 SF Lauren James 9
2020–21 WSL 22 15 2 5 44 20 47 4th R5 GS Did not qualify Ella Toone 10
2021–22 WSL 22 12 6 4 45 22 42 4th R5 SF Alessia Russo 11
2022–23 WSL 22 18 2 2 56 12 56 2nd RU GS Alessia Russo 13
2023–24 WSL 22 10 5 7 42 32 35 5th W GS QR2 Nikita Parris 16

Records

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Main article: List of Manchester United W.F.C. records and statistics

Reserves and academy

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Despite not having a senior women's team for many years, Manchester United have continued to run a girls regional talent club up to under-16 level in accordance with FA regulations.[55] The club's partner charity, The Manchester United Foundation, also works in coaching girls at all ages across the Greater Manchester region.[4] Ahead of the 2019–20 season, Manchester United entered a full-time U21 team into the FA WSL Academy League for the first time, managed by Charlotte Healy.[56][57] The club's development team had contested the WSL Academy Cup final against Arsenal the previous season.[58]

Under-21 squad

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
42 FW England ENG Jessica Anderson
43 DF England ENG Holly Minshull
47 DF England ENG Amelia Freeman
48 MF Wales WAL Mared Griffiths
50 MF England ENG Amelia Oldroyd
51 MF England ENG Ellie Adams
52 DF England ENG Olivia Moulton
54 DF England ENG Zaiba Ishaque
57 DF England ENG Lucy Crook
No. Pos. Nation Player
58 MF England ENG Phoebe Chadwick
59 MF England ENG Tamira Livingston
60 FW England ENG Aoife Farrall
64 GK England ENG Millie Crook
67 MF England ENG Olivia Turner
— DF England ENG Amaris Ince
— DF England ENG Ruby Johnson
— MF England ENG Anna Fletcher

Out on loan

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
49 FW Wales WAL Olivia Francis (dual registration with Liverpool Feds until 30 June 2025)
63 GK England ENG Kacey Bolton-Woollam (dual registration with Huddersfield Town until 30 June 2025)

Academy manager history

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Position Staff
Under-21s manager England Charlotte Healy[56] (2019–present)

Academy honours

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Under-21 Team

  • Professional Game Academy
    • National play-off winners: 2023–24[59]
    • Northern Division: 2023–24[60]
  • FA WSL Academy League
    • National play-off winners: 2021–22[61]
    • Northern Division: 2021–22[62]
  • FA WSL Academy Cup: 1

Under-16 Team

  • U16 Professional Game Academy Cup: 1
    • 2023–24
  • SuperCupNI: 1

Academy graduates

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The following is a list of academy players who have made senior team appearances. Bold indicates the player is still at the club.

Notes

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  1. ^ Win% is rounded to two decimal places
  2. ^ Goals in all competitions (FA Women's Championship or Women's Super League, Women's FA Cup, FA Women's League Cup and UEFA Women's Champions League are counted.)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "History of women's football". www.thefa.com.
  2. ^ "Women's Football in Trafford · Manchester United". Exploring Trafford's Heritage.
  3. ^ Turner, Kate (30 April 2018). "Hidden History of Women's Football at Manchester United". Unlocking the hidden history of women's football.
  4. ^ a b c Wigmore, Tim (7 November 2017). "Why Do Manchester United Still Not Have a Women's Team?". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  5. ^ "From A Left Wing: The Ladies of Old Trafford". From A Left Wing. 29 July 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  6. ^ a b c Leighton, Tony (21 February 2005). "United abandon women's game to focus on youth". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  7. ^ Manchester Evening News (20 June 2005). "'United gave us a water bottle and then they dumped us'". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  8. ^ Sports staff (22 March 2018). "Manchester United announce women's team and apply to join Women's Super League". The Independent. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  9. ^ Staff writer (28 May 2018). "Manchester United get Women's Championship licence; West Ham join top flight". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  10. ^ a b Staff writer (29 May 2018). "Manchester United get Women's Championship licence". ITV News. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  11. ^ Moore, Glenn (22 March 2018). "Manchester United take vital step forward in announcing women's team – but there's still work to be done". The Independent. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  12. ^ a b Boswell, Zinny (8 June 2018). "Casey Stoney named Manchester United women's head coach". Sky Sports. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  13. ^ "Lizzie Arnot: Scotland cap hails 'amazing' late goal for Manchester United Women". BBC Sport. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  14. ^ Kelly, Ciaran (9 September 2018). "Manchester United transfer news LIVE Pogba discusses Barcelona transfer as Man Utd Women thrash Aston Villa Ladies 12–0". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  15. ^ Garry, Tom (17 April 2019). "Manchester United Women promoted after 5–0 victory over Aston Villa Ladies". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  16. ^ a b "Man Utd Women 7–0 Crystal Palace Ladies: Women's Championship title sealed by win". BBC Sport. 20 April 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  17. ^ Bonsu, Benny (18 May 2019). "The winners from the 21st annual FA Women's Football Awards". givemesport.com. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  18. ^ Bath, Adam (7 September 2019). "Manchester City Women 1 United Women 0". www.manutd.com. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
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  22. ^ Plant, Michael (25 January 2020). "United Women 2 City Women 3". www.manutd.com. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
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  28. ^ "Marc Skinner contract: Man Utd trigger 12-month option". 90min. 30 March 2023.
  29. ^ "Sam Kerr secures Chelsea third successive Vitality Women's FA Cup win". www.thefa.com.
  30. ^ Wrack, Suzanne (18 October 2023). "PSG's Martens ends Manchester United's Women's Champions League dream". The Guardian.
  31. ^ a b Sanders, Emma (12 May 2024). "Women's FA Cup final: Manchester United beat Tottenham to win first major trophy". BBC Sport.
  32. ^ "WSL: Man Utd to play Man City at Old Trafford". 31 July 2024.
  33. ^ Duncker, Charlotte (18 June 2018). "Manchester United Women's team set to make surprise transfer announcements". Manchester Evening News. MEN Media. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  34. ^ Flynn, Brian (13 September 2018). "Robins Strengthen Links with Manchester United". altrinchamfc.com. Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  35. ^ "Manchester United Women venue update for FA Cup clash against London Bees". www.manutd.com.
  36. ^ "Manchester United Women to play first ever game at Old Trafford". The Guardian. 16 March 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  37. ^ Garry, Tom (27 March 2022). "Manchester United set season-high WSL attendance record as Alessia Russo leads comeback win over Everton". The Telegraph.
  38. ^ "Man Utd Women Player Profiles". www.manutd.com. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  39. ^ "Alyssa Aherne joins Sheffield United on loan". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  40. ^ Higgins, Adam (9 May 2019). "Zelem is United Women's Player of the Year". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  41. ^ Plant, Michael (18 September 2020). "Ladd is United Women's Player of the Year". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  42. ^ Bostock, Adam (16 May 2021). "Batlle is United Women's Player of the Year". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  43. ^ Nelson, Joe (7 June 2022). "Toone wins Player of the Year Award". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  44. ^ Nelson, Joe (6 June 2022). "Russo wins Players' Player of the Year Award". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  45. ^ Rowe-Willcocks, Helen (29 May 2023). "Alessia Russo named Player of the Year". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  46. ^ Rowe-Willcocks, Helen (29 May 2023). "Hannah Blundell wins United Women Players' Player of the Season". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  47. ^ "Toone is United Women's Player of the Year". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  48. ^ "Toone and Le Tissier share Players' Player of the Year". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  49. ^ "United Women add new assistant to backroom staff". www.manutd.com.
  50. ^ Theivam, Kieran (19 September 2019). "'Don't be nice. You want it more than them' — a day with Manchester United Women". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  51. ^ https://www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/11667/13111471/john-murtough-man-utd-football-director-stepping-down-with-dan-ashworth-set-to-replace-him [bare URL]
  52. ^ Harpur, Charlotte. "Man Utd to appoint Johnson as interim head of women's football".
  53. ^ "All 2018–19". www.manutd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  54. ^ "Marc Skinner appointed as United Women head coach" (Press release). Manchester United. 29 July 2021.
  55. ^ "From A Left Wing: The Ladies of Old Trafford". 29 July 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  56. ^ a b "Healy launches WSL Academy side". Twitter. 29 July 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  57. ^ "Full-Time : Division". full-time.thefa.com.
  58. ^ Jamet, Sylvain (22 April 2019). "Arsenal defeat Manchester United 5-0 to win the FA WSL Academy Cup". Daily Cannon.
  59. ^ "UNITED WOMEN'S U21S WIN NATIONAL TITLE". www.manutd.com. 2 May 2024.
  60. ^ "Women's Under-21s win Northern title". www.manutd.com. 25 April 2024.
  61. ^ "Man Utd thrash Chelsea to win WSL Academy League & complete youth double". 90min.com. 27 April 2022.
  62. ^ Bince, Alan. "Manchester United Women U-21 Crowned Champions of Women's Academy League Northern Division". Sports Illustrated: Manchester United.
  63. ^ "WSL Academy Cup final: Birmingham City 1 United Women U21s 4". www.manutd.com. 9 March 2022.
  64. ^ "Match Report: Manchester United claim Girls' Tournament Premier Section title". www.supercupni.com. 28 July 2024.
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