Is Alessia Russo Leaving Manchester United? Why is Alessia Russo leaving Manchester United?
by A N Rahul
Updated Jun 16, 2023
Is Alessia Russo Leaving Manchester United?
Alessia Russo, a talented football player, will be leaving Manchester United as her contract comes to an end in June. This makes her one of the sought-after free agents in the football world this summer2. The reason for her departure stems from her dissatisfaction with the contract offers from United, which she considered both insufficient and delayed13.
During the January transfer window, Arsenal made two record-breaking bids for her, but they were rejected by United1. Currently, Arsenal appears to be the frontrunner in securing her signature, although there is also interest from Lyon, Barcelona, and clubs in Spain and the US13.
Why is Alessia Russo leaving Manchester United?
Alessia Russo is set to leave Manchester United as her contract comes to an end in June. This makes her an attractive prospect as one of the highly sought-after free agents in the football market this summer. Having been the top scorer for Manchester United in the past two seasons and playing a pivotal role in England's victory at Euro 2022, Russo's talents have caught the attention of several clubs.
Reports suggest that Russo is on the verge of joining Arsenal, as they had previously made two world-record bids for her services in January. However, there is also interest from other clubs across Europe and the United States, including teams in Spain and France.
It appears that Russo's decision to leave Manchester United stems from her frustration with the contract offers presented to her by the club. Seeking a fresh challenge and a new opportunity, she is eager to explore other options in her career.
Who is Alessia Russo?
Alessia Mia Teresa Russo is a well-known English professional footballer who primarily plays as a forward in the Women's Super League, where she currently plays for Manchester United. She is also a member of the England national team.
Throughout her career, Russo has represented various football clubs, including Chelsea, Brighton & Hove Albion, and North Carolina Tar Heels. Additionally, she has proudly represented England at all youth age groups, showcasing her talent and dedication to the sport.
Born on 8 February 1999 in Maidstone, Kent, Russo is the daughter of Carol and Mario Russo. Her Italian heritage stems from her Sicilian grandfather, who migrated to England during the 1950s. Raised alongside two older brothers, Russo's family has a strong connection to football, with her grandfather instilling a love for Manchester United in them.
Alessia Russo comes from a family with a strong football background. Her father, Mario, had a remarkable career in non-league football and holds the record for the highest number of goals scored for Metropolitan Police F.C. Similarly, her brother Giorgio has also made his mark in non-league football, most recently playing for Ramsgate.
Football talent runs in the family, and they have each contributed to the sport in their own right. Another brother, Luca, pursued athletics and represented England at the under-20 level in track and cross-country events while attending the University of Missouri on a scholarship.
Russo's passion for football started at a young age when she played for Bearsted F.C. Girls U10. Her talent and dedication earned her recognition, and in 2022, as part of the "Where Greatness Is Made" campaign, a plaque commemorating her achievements was installed at the club.
Notably, Russo had the opportunity to serve as a mascot for Casey Stoney, who would later become her manager at Manchester United, during Stoney's tenure as captain of Charlton Athletic.
During her education at St Simon Stock Catholic School in Maidstone, Russo actively participated in a variety of sports. Alongside football, she engaged in athletics, cross-country running, cricket, and netball, showcasing her versatility and athleticism beyond the football field.
Alessia Russo Career
Alessia Russo's career has seen her play for various clubs and represent the England national team. Here is a detailed overview of her journey:
Club Career:
Youth Career and Chelsea: Russo began her football journey at Charlton Athletic's Centre of Excellence and remained with them from 2007 to 2010. She then joined Chelsea's development squad, where she captained the team. Although her senior debut with Chelsea came during the first round of the FA WSL Continental Cup on 2 July 2016, it marked her only appearance for the club.
Brighton & Hove Albion, 2017:
In January 2017, Russo joined newly-promoted WSL 2 side Brighton & Hove Albion ahead of the 2017 FA WSL Spring Series. She made her debut for Brighton on 5 February 2017 in an FA Cup third-round victory against AFC Wimbledon. On 11 February, she scored Brighton's first-ever goal at WSL level during a 1-1 draw with London Bees in the team's Spring Series opener.
North Carolina Tar Heels:
In the autumn of 2017, Russo ventured to the United States to play college soccer for the North Carolina Tar Heels, an ACC team. During her freshman year, she appeared in 19 games, starting in 18 of them.
Russo emerged as the leading scorer on the team with nine goals, along with two assists. Her remarkable performance earned her several accolades, including co-ACC Freshman of the Year and a selection in the ACC All-Freshman Team and the United Soccer Coaches All-East Region first team. The team went on to win the 2017 ACC Women's Soccer Tournament, with Russo being named the tournament MVP.
In 2018, Russo continued to shine despite missing the postseason due to a broken leg. She received a United Soccer Coaches first-team All-America selection, becoming the first Tar Heel player to achieve this since Crystal Dunn in 2013.
Russo was also honored as the ACC Offensive Player of the Year as North Carolina secured the regular-season title for the first time since 2008. Her outstanding performance led to national recognition and a spot as a semi-finalist for the prestigious Hermann Trophy.
Returning from injury in 2019, Russo made a career-high 24 appearances and once again topped the team's goal-scoring chart with thirteen goals. The team defended their regular-season title, won the 2019 ACC Women's Soccer Tournament, and reached the final of the 2019 Women's College Cup. Individually.
Russo earned multiple honors, including being named first-team All-ACC for the third consecutive year, ACC Tournament MVP, and United Soccer Coaches first-team All-American for the second time. She was also listed as a semi-finalist for the Hermann Trophy. Russo showcased her versatility by contributing assists for the first time in her college career.
Manchester United:
In September 2020, Russo signed a two-year contract with the option for a third year with her childhood club, Manchester United. She made her debut shortly after, registering an assist in a 5-2 league victory over Birmingham City.
Russo scored her first goal for the club in the following game, a 3-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. Her impressive performances earned her a nomination for the WSL Player of the Month in October 2020. Unfortunately, Russo's season was cut short after tearing her hamstring during training, causing her to miss the remainder of the 2020-21 season.
In the 2021-22 season, Russo emerged as the leading goal-scorer for Manchester United, netting 11 goals in 30 appearances across all competitions. Her outstanding contributions led to her being
Is Alessia Russo Leaving Manchester United -FAQs
Yes, Alessia Russo will be leaving Manchester United as her contract expires in June.
Alessia Russo is leaving Manchester United due to her dissatisfaction with the contract offers from the club. She considered the offers to be insufficient and delayed, prompting her decision to seek a new opportunity elsewhere.
Arsenal is currently the frontrunner to sign Alessia Russo, as they made two world-record bids for her services during the January transfer window. However, there is also interest from clubs such as Lyon, Barcelona, and teams in Spain and the US.
Alessia Russo's departure from Manchester United has generated significant interest because of her impressive performances. She has been the top scorer for Manchester United in the past two seasons and played a crucial role in England's victory at Euro 2022, making her a highly sought-after free agent in the football market.
Alessia Russo's decision to leave Manchester United stems from her frustration with the contract offers presented by the club. Seeking a fresh challenge and new opportunities, she is eager to pursue other avenues in her football career.