Gabby George fired up for Women’s FA Cup final after suffering injury setbacks

Manchester United defender Gabby George says her injury setbacks have made her stronger as she prepares for Sunday’s Women’s FA Cup final a year on from having to sit out the Wembley showpiece for a second time.

George, previously with Everton, missed the 2020 final that the Toffees lost 3-1 to Manchester City after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament earlier in the year.

Having joined United in September 2023, the left-back then sustained another ACL injury just a month later and was still recovering when they lifted the trophy the following May, defeating Tottenham 4-0.

Returning to action this term, she has helped Marc Skinner’s team secure a Champions League spot by finishing third in the Women’s Super League and reach their third successive FA Cup final.

The 28-year-old told the PA news agency ahead of this weekend’s clash with Chelsea, who beat United 1-0 in the 2023 final: “I think they (the injury situations) have helped me to become a lot stronger than what I was.

“ACLs are tough to get through, I commend anyone that goes through it because it’s not a straightforward journey, there’s ups and there’s always downs.

“When I first did the second one, it was tough, and I remember after the game, I was in the physio room and I already knew it was what it was and I was just crying to my mum and dad, and I was like, ‘I can’t do it again.’ It was a big blow for me and a kick in the teeth.

“I’d worked so hard to get to that point in my career and had just made my dream move. So it was difficult.

“But I think once I’d got over all the emotion and I started to work, and I watched the girls get to the FA Cup final, for instance… they inspired me and kept me going. It was something I wanted to be involved in. I wanted to be playing FA Cups, playing for Manchester United, and I think that’s what kept me going.”

Mancunian George is now set to play for the club she grew up supporting, and whose centre of excellence she was part of before they had a women’s team, in what would be the first Wembley appearance of her career.

She has featured in an FA Cup final before, as a 17-year-old shortly after she joined Everton in 2014 when the team lost 2-0 to Arsenal in Milton Keynes.

George, who last December made her first England appearance in six years, said: “I’ve been on a long journey and moments like this make it all worth it, don’t they?

“I am living my dream, I’m happiest when I’m playing football and enjoying it, and that’s what I’m doing right now.”

George’s cousin is Jesse Lingard, scorer of an FA Cup winner for United in 2016, who she says has been a constant source of support.

“Whether it be at Wembley or I’m crying about my ACL, he’s been there for the whole journey,” she said.