Melvine Malard targets FA Cup glory as Manchester United aim to dent Chelsea’s unbeaten domestic run
MELVINE MALARD will be forever grateful to Sonia Bompastor for taking a chance on her.
But the Manchester United ace still wants to thwart her former Lyon mentor’s FA Cup dream.
Malard, 24, worked under Chelsea boss Bompastor for much of her nine seasons at Lyon.
The forward came through the ranks under Bompastor’s guidance at the French club before they went on to win two top-flight titles in France and the Champions League together in 2022.
But there will be no time for nostalgia in today’s final at Wembley when holders United face WSL champions Chelsea, who are chasing a domestic treble.
Malard said: “It’s because of Sonia that I played football in France. Now I’m in England, it’s partly because Sonia took me on and gave me a chance.
“She was a big boss for Lyon when I was there playing for them. “I’m so excited to play at Wembley against her.
“Here in England, the game is so intense and the players are very strong.
“Chelsea are the top team in the league with one of my best coaches. “They have got a very good team because they have a very good coach.”
Bompastor’s Chelsea’s Invincibles went through the entire 22-game WSL season unbeaten dropping just six points and winning the League Cup too.
That means the Red Devils are tasked with trying to become the first team to beat them on the domestic stage this term.
The Blues’ current run stands at an astonishing 32 matches without defeat, stretching back to 2023-24.
Yet Malard is hoping to create her own piece of history as United, who finished third in the league, chase back-to-back FA Cup wins for the first time after thumping Tottenham 4-0 a year ago.
She said: “This is the page and history that we need to write.
“This is three times in a row we’ve got to the FA Cup final. “Who are the teams doing that right now?
“It’s us. But we need to put that in the history and enjoy our football.
“This is a year where we’ve also qualified for the Champions League for next season. Now we need to just enjoy this final.”
“Malard has become a popular member of United’s dressing room since arriving from Lyon last July.
And United boss Marc Skinner reckons the France forward’s vibrancy has been key this season.
That was on full display when her equaliser in the 2-2 Manchester derby draw at Old Trafford secured United’s place in the Champions League next season.
Skinner said: “We all need to embrace our inner Melvine.
“She takes on the challenge of what’s ahead of her with this smile and this energy.
“Melvine has shown a lot more of that this year.
“Last season she was trying to find out who she was in our team.
“But that energy for someone still so young has been a massive driving factor this year.”