Chelsea begin WSL title defence with crunch clash against Manchester City

Emma Hayes' team, who won the league for the second time in 2017-18, will host last season's runners-up at Kingsmeadow on 9 September​

Chelsea also won the FA Women's Cup last season (Getty Images)

Chelsea begin the defence of their Women’s Super League title with a home game against Manchester City.

Emma Hayes’ team, who won the league for the second time in 2017-18, will host last season’s runners-up at Kingsmeadow on 9 September.

Manchester United’s first game following their inception earlier this year will be in Group Two North of Continental League Cup when they take on Liverpool on 19 August.

That will see the battle of the two new managers as United’s Casey Stoney takes on former Leeds and Rotherham manager Neil Redfearn, who was appointed Reds boss in June.

United’s first match in the Women’s Championship will be against Aston Villa.

Liverpool begin their Super League campaign with a trip to Arsenal, while the opening weekend also sees Birmingham host Everton, Brighton take on Bristol City and Reading welcome Yeovil.

PA