'Carnival atmosphere as Old Trafford stages first WSL game in front of fans'

At first glance, the scenes outside Old Trafford were familiar to those who regularly attend matches at the home of Manchester United.

Thousands of fans thronged Sir Matt Busby Way an hour or so before kick-off and queues formed around merchandise stalls, with T-shirts a popular purchase on a lovely spring day. A stone's throw away from the ground, business was brisk at the fast-food outlets selling burgers and chips.

But on closer inspection, this was not like other matchdays at Old Trafford.

The autograph hunters were not after the signatures of Cristiano Ronaldo or Paul Pogba. Instead they wanted Alessia Russo, Ella Toone and Jackie Groenen to sign their shirts.

A giant poster stretched above the front of the megastore carried the words 'This is Power' and featured six of Manchester United's women's team, including goalkeeper Mary Earps.

Women's Super League fever had arrived at the Theatre of Dreams. On a historic day for the club, United's women's team played in front of fans at the iconic stadium for the first time.

Watched by a crowd of more than 20,000, Russo scored twice as Marc Skinner's team beat Everton 3-1 to keep their hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League alive.

«I don't want rubbish cliches but I think women's football won,» Skinner said afterwards.

This was a day to savour for fans who had followed the team since it was reformed in 2018.

United's last home game — against Leicester at Leigh Sports Village, their usual base about 15 miles from Old Trafford — attracted a gate of 1,303.

Sunday's attendance was a season-high WSL crowd of 20,241.

Ticket prices were kept deliberately low — at £6 and £3 — to try to attract a healthy attendance. It paid off.

Supporter Natalie Burrell hopes more will now be