Manchester United and Man City to battle it out at inaugural Women's Football Awards

Manchester United and Manchester City are set to battle it out for a prestigious prize at the inaugural Women's Football Awards.

Hosted by Jamie Carragher and former England international Eni Aluko, the awards will seek to celebrate the people, brands and organisations who are contributing to the phenomenal growth of the women's game, with the flagship ceremony set to take place in London on May 25. United and City have both made the shortlist for Club of the Year, where they will face stern competition from the likes of reigning WSL champions Chelsea.

A host of players from both clubs are also in contention for top accolades, United's Alessia Russo and Mary Earps and City's Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw up for Player of the Year. United defender Maya Le Tissier is also in the running for Young Football Player of the Year.

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Meanwhile, David de Gea and Harry Maguire are among a number of Premier League players shortlisted for Male Football Ally award for their efforts to promote women’s football.

Those advocating the growth of the women’s game will also be recognised as broadcaster Ian Wright, former England women’s manager Phil Neville and pundit Karen Carney are among those who will battle it out to be crowned Women’s Football Champion of the Year.

The Women's Football Awards, supported by SHEIN, come ahead of the 2023 Women's World Cup. The event has been backed by England internationals Jess Carter, Nikita Parris and Toni Duggan. Meanwhile, Chelsea defender Reece James and Everton star Conor Coady have given their support for the initiative as have Sky Sports News presenters Pete Graves and Hayley McQueen.

“The shortlist features some of the best and most outstanding talent in women's football today," said Jamie Carragher, reflecting on the shortlist. "There are some fantastic players on this list who are achieving so much in the sport.

"It is also great to see male football allies recognised as well as other individuals and organisations who are playing their part to grow women's football. It is going to be a fantastic event.”

Awards representatives of Manchester City and Manchester United have received nominations for:

Player of the Year sponsored by Klarna

• Beth Mead (Arsenal)

• Sam Kerr (Chelsea)

• Alessia Russo (Manchester United)

• Mary Earps (Manchester United)

• Leah Williamson (Arsenal)

• Lauren Hemp (Manchester City)

• Rachel Daly (Aston Villa)

• Chloe Kelly (Manchester City)

• Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw (Manchester City)

• Millie Bright (Chelsea)

International Player of the Year sponsored by trivago

• Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)

• Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave)

• Keira Walsh (Barcelona)

• Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich)

• Wendie Renard (Lyon)

• Marie-Antoinette Kototo (Lyon)

• Lucy Bronze (Barcelona)

• Pernille Harder (Chelsea)

• Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal)

• Caroline Weir (Real Madrid)

Male Football Ally of the Year sponsored by Gaucho

• Declan Rice (West Ham United)

• Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United)

• Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)

• Reece James (Chelsea)

• Rob Holding (Arsenal)

• David De Gea (Manchester United)

• Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

• Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa)

• Harry Maguire (Manchester United)

• Joao Cancelo (Bayern Munich)

Young Football Player of the Year sponsored by XLCR

• Melchie Dumornay (Reims)

• Mary Fowler (Manchester City)

• Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United)

• Jess Park (Everton)

• Missy Bo-Kearns (Liverpool)

• Lauren James (Chelsea)

• Poppy Pattinson (Brighton and Hove Albion)

• Ebony Salmon (Houston Dash)

• Laura Blindkilde-Brown (Aston Villa)

• Asmita Ale (Tottenham Hotspur)

Grassroots Initiative of the Year sponsored by Spector, Constant & Williams

• TGI Fridays - #CelebrateTheGame

• Agility Life Sciences - GIFT Grants

• West Ham United - Player Development Pathway

• Tottenham Hotspur - Female Talent Pathway

• Everton - Grassroots Commitment

• Sunderland Athletic Football Club - For Our Girls

• Miss Kick Foundation - Team Up To Level Up

• Inspire Girls Football - IGF College Programme

• Manchester Laces - Inclusive To All

• Weymouth Women - Grassroots Commitment

Women’s Football Champion of the Year sponsored by Social Asking

• Ian Wright

• Tracey Crouch MP

• Karen Carney

• Hope Powell

• Lisa O'Keefe

• Emma Hayes

• Phil Neville

• Paul Barber

• Her Game Too

• Susan Whelan

Best Club of the Year sponsored by VISA

• Aston Villa

• Brighton and Hove Albion

• Glasgow Rangers

• Southampton

• Everton

• Manchester United

• Arsenal

• Chelsea

• Leeds United

• Manchester City

The public are invited to cast their votes on the shortlist here.

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