Marc Skinner’s side played six times across October, making an unbeaten start to the new WSL season (two wins, two draws), as well as competing in our first-ever UEFA Women’s Champions League tie.

Unfortunately, the two-legged affair with Paris Saint-Germain did not go our way, but the team can take encouragement and motivation from several positives to come out of the double duel with the Parisians, during what was a solid opening month to the term for the Reds.

Scroll down to see which three players made our list of standout contributors, and why, before casting your vote in our official poll.

GEYSE FERREIRA DA SILVA: 3 (1) appearances | 1 assist

The Brazil international has made an impressive start to life at United, and the one goal involvement tallied above does not tell the full story of her opening month as a Red. Geyse spearheaded the attack of Skinner’s side to good effect on debut away to Villa, and only a commendable fingertip stop from opposition goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar prevented our new forward from opening her United account at Villa Park.

The no.23 was a threat against Arsenal too, but it was in our Champions League matches against PSG where she really made her presence felt. An impactful second-half cameo in the first leg helped to wrestle some control of the tie in our favour, before she teed up Lisa Naalsund’s equaliser in the Parc des Princes.

Geyse missed matches against Leicester and Everton in the month, but still did enough when involved to earn recognition as one of our three October nominees.

MELVINE MALARD: 3 (2) appearances | 3 goals

It is easy to see why Malard has quickly become a fan favourite at United since joining on loan from Lyon at the end of the summer transfer window.

The French forward made her Reds bow in the home draw with Arsenal and came off the bench to make an immediate mark at Leigh Sports Village, scoring what would have been the winner on the night, if not for the Gunners’ stoppage-time leveller. Melvine was back at it again just four days later on the same turf, nodding in our equaliser at home to PSG as a second-half substitute.

Those successful cameos earned the no.9 a place in the starting XI for the month’s final three matches, versus Leicester, PSG (away) and Everton, and she took her goal tally to three in the final one, heading home our opener in the 5-0 win over the Toffees.

RACHEL WILLIAMS: 0 (5) appearances | 3 goals

It may be a new season, but United Women were able to call on the same Rachel Williams that made such a heroic impact on our 2022/23 campaign.

The experienced forward scored five of the six goals in her debut term at the club as a substitute, and has been a difference-maker in matches once again throughout the opening month of the new season. Brought on in all but one of our fixtures (the home game against PSG), Williams ensured we would kick off 2023/24 in winning fashion, after her stoppage-time header away to Villa on the opening weekend completed a come-from-behind victory.

Last time out, Rachel displayed her poacher’s instincts in front of goal again, bagging a second-half brace to ensure a resounding triumph over Everton before the international break.