Jayde Riviere nabs 1st pro goal as Manchester United continues strong start to WSL season - ICYMI

Manchester United continued their strong start to the 2025-2026 season on Sunday, as they dismantled the London City Lionesses 5-1 to give them six points from six to start the WSL campaign. 

Thanks to this win, and their 4-0 win vs. Leicester City in week one, that’s been enough to put them atop the WSL table on goal difference, as they begin their bid to win a first-ever WSL title on a strong note. 

As she did against Leicester, Canadian right back Riviere played a key role in this London City victory, too, with her first goal of the season (and of her professional career) standing as the winner on the day. 

Jayde Riviere whips it home 🏠#BarclaysWSL @ManUtdWomen pic.twitter.com/fx2nkiXnGt

— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) September 14, 2025

After nabbing an assist a week prior, that means that Riviere has already matched the number of goal contributions she had in all of 2024-2025, in which she had two assists in 22 games across all competitions for United. 

To be fair, that’s not a slight on her play last year, whatsoever - she did just get recently named in the PFA’s 2024-2025 Team of the Season, an honour bestowed upon her by her peers - as she’s become a fixture on this United team. 

But after a breakout 2024-2025, she looks set to hit a new level this season, and that’s exciting news for her, United and the CanWNT.

Here's Riviere's percentile chart (vs. WSL FBs) from 2024-2025, showing how strong she was in possession and defensively - and that she got to good areas in the final third despite a lack of output. Shows what she'll look to build off of in 2025-2026 (FBRef)

Her performance in this latest match gives an idea of what that next level looks like, as she had a strong impact on both sides of the ball. 

In possession, not only did she nab a goal, but was lively up and down the right side, as she completed 17 out of 22 passes, including five passes into the final third, while also adding one dribble. 

Then, off the ball, she was arguably even better, as she had three tackles, two interceptions, four recoveries and won six out of nine of her duels in a strong defensive showing.

Here are Riviere's recoveries from this game, showing her aggressive defensive involvement (WyScout)

Yet, to that last point, that’s what she’s done well in her time at United, as she now begins her third full season (fourth total) with the club, as she’s been a strong defender and a solid ball progressor. 

Now, the next objective will be to add more final third impact to her play, as that’ll only make her more dangerous, and truly cement her status as one of the best all-around full-backs in the league.

Here's Riviere's heat map from the game (attacking to the right), showing how involved she was in possession (WyScout)

Of course, the secondary achievement from there will be to stay healthy, as injuries have also dogged Riviere over the last few years, especially when it comes to the CanWNT - she’s appeared just 14 times for Canada since the start of 2023, after making 11 appearances in 2021 and 10 in 2022. 

There’s been no doubting her ability - so if she can now improve on her availability, that’ll be great news for the CanWNT and head coach Casey Stoney, who, in particular, will be pleased with this stretch, one that will push her to give Riviere a big role in her team. With how she’s playing on both sides of the ball, that’s the sort of aggressive play Stoney will want to see from a full-back, helping Riviere compete at what is a competitive position for Canada - although that’s typically not been a problem for her when healthy. 

For now, though, Riviere and United will look to continue their hot start, while also juggling a massive match this week, as they face Norwegian side Brann in the second leg of their third round UEFA Champions League qualifier this week.

After a shock 1-0 defeat in Norway last week, United have work to do in leg two, as they look to reach the group stage of the Champions League for the first time in their history, so keep an eye out for that match on Thursday, September 18th. 

For a full round-up of Canadians playing abroad, check out Mitchell Tierney’s Form Guide