Chelsea swept up every domestic trophy in 2024-25, going unbeaten in the process, during manager Sonia Bompastor’s first season in charge.
They beat United 3-0 in the Women’s FA Cup final as part of that treble success but it has not been a smooth-sailing campaign this time around.
The Blues are nine points behind Women’s Super League leaders Manchester City, threatening the end of their six-year dominance of the division.
Bompastor has come under pressure as a result, while off-field issues – including the departure of head of women’s football Paul Green – have sparked concern.
But if they were to win the League Cup, would it quieten criticism and confirm Chelsea’s status as serial winners?
“I will always expect to have a lot of noise around Chelsea. There will be noise when you are losing, or when something happens, because I think this club is the best in England,” said Bompastor.
“That’s why this happens and I’m totally fine with it. It’s important also when you are in high moments you don’t go too high and in more low moments you don’t go too low.
“We just want to win because that’s part of our DNA. I don’t want to win because people are talking or making noise. That’s not what drives us.”
Chelsea have a formidable record against United, beating them in two of the past three FA Cup finals and unbeaten in 12 WSL matches.
They scored an extra-time winner to knock United out of the FA Cup fifth round in their last game and drew 1-1 draw at Leigh Sports Village in October.
Bompastor says that record boosts confidence and success on Sunday could help build momentum for the rest of the season, with a trophy under their belt.
But she knows United have strengthened and it will not be an easy task to defend the first trophy she won as Chelsea boss.
“Every team is strengthening their squad, being more competitive and bringing us more challenges,” she added.
“When you are Chelsea, if you want to sustain success, and stay at the highest position, you need to work hard and make sure you anticipate the future.
“It’s becoming more and more difficult, the competition is becoming tighter and tighter, and every team now can beat anyone. We know that.
“When you are in a club like Chelsea, and for myself individually, as soon as you win a trophy, your next thinking is ‘what do I need to do to win the next one?'”