LEIGH, ENGLAND — I still remember the roar. Leigh Sports Village, Manchester United vs Liverpool, and the scoreline kept climbing. 6-0. I mean, come on. As someone who laces up boots every weekend, I know how rare that kind of dominance is. But on that day, Hayley Ladd didn't just play well. She ran the entire midfield like she owned the place.

Ladd scored one and assisted another, but the stats tell a deeper story. She completed 84% of her passes, 100% of her dribbling attempts, and 88% of her aerial duels. She also made two interceptions, two clearances, and nine ball recoveries. FotMob gave her a 9.2 rating—higher than anyone else on the pitch. That's not just good. That's elite.

The goals came from everywhere. Martha Thomas, Rachel Williams, Lucia Garcia, and Alessia Russo all found the net. Liverpool's Emma Koivisto scored an own goal to compound the misery. But Ladd was the engine. She played the full 90 minutes, scoring United's third and setting up Rachel Williams for the sixth.

I know a box-to-box performance when I see one. Ladd has been at United since 2019, having previously spent time at Arsenal, Coventry, Bristol City, and Birmingham. Capable of playing in defence and midfield, she has been a regular in the Women's Super League for years. At 29, she was already a seasoned Welsh international with 78 caps. She had scored just two international goals, the last against Kazakhstan in 2017. Her contract was set to expire in June, though United had an option for another year. In 2026, that feels like a lifetime ago, but it was a turning point.

Manager Marc Skinner was bullish after the win. "It's very important we try and maximise our potential," he said. "We'll keep fighting, fighting, fighting: 12 games to go and then the cup as well. Can we [win the League]? Of course we can. Do we want to? Absolutely, certainly we want to."

At the time, United were second in the table and could leapfrog leaders Chelsea if they won their game in hand. They had never even qualified for the Women's Champions League. Few thought they could compete with Chelsea and Arsenal. But that 6-0 win was a statement. It wasn't just a win. It was a warning. It was a team saying, "We're here, and we're not going anywhere."

Now, in 2026, the WSL is a different beast. More investment, more talent, more eyes. The title race is tighter, the margins smaller, and every point feels like gold. But I still think about that Ladd performance. It reminds me why I play. Not every game gives you a 9.2 rating or a six-goal rout. But every game gives you a chance to be everywhere at once. To win your duels. To recover the ball. To make the pass. To score.

Ladd did all of that. And she made it look easy. She was everywhere, like a midfielder with a jetpack. No kidding. You could see Liverpool's players looking around, wondering where she'd pop up next. That's the kind of player I want to be.

If you're a young player watching, study that tape. Watch how she positions her body before receiving. Watch how she scans. Watch how she follows up after a pass. The goals get the headlines, but the midfield control wins the game. That's the lesson. That's the beauty.

Here's the Ladd file, if you want the quick version:

• Position: Defender / Midfielder

• Club: Manchester United (since 2019)

• Previous clubs: Arsenal, Coventry, Bristol City, Birmingham

• International: Wales, 78 caps, 2 goals

• Contract at the time: Expiring June, with United option for a further year

And here's what made that performance special:

• 100% dribble success

• 88% aerial duel success

• 84% pass completion

• 9 ball recoveries

• 2 interceptions

• 2 clearances

• 1 goal

• 1 assist

That's not just a good day at the office. That's a complete midfield masterclass. In 2026, with the game growing faster than ever, I hope we see more performances like it. Not just for the scoreline, but for the craft. For the grit. For the joy.

So yeah, Manchester United 6-0 Liverpool. Hayley Ladd, 9.2. I'll remember it for a long time. That's football. That's why we watch. That's why we play.