Phallon Tullis-Joyce has explained how she is adapting to Eva Olid’s expectations at Manchester United, with the goalkeeper’s work on the ball and communication adding to her responsibilities ahead of Saturday’s Liverpool fixture. Speaking to United’s club media, as reported by The Peoples Person, the American described trying to absorb the new manager’s style and understand what she wants from her goalkeepers.
Olid expects a complete goalkeeping presence
Olid’s demands cover the familiar work of stopping shots and dealing with crosses, but they do not end there. Tullis-Joyce outlined an expectation that United’s goalkeeper should also be assertive with the ball at her feet, communicate with defenders and identify the free player.
That gives a clear picture of the qualities Olid wants from the position: authority in the box and composure when United have possession. Tullis-Joyce is working to take in those instructions as she adjusts to the new manager’s approach.
She also credited Mark Skinner for bringing her to United and expressed respect for the time they spent working together. Her comments acknowledge that previous chapter while making clear that she is now focused on learning what Olid requires.
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Eva Olid’s appointment and approach at United
A fourth year at United, with Liverpool next
Tullis-Joyce said she was surprised to realise she was in her fourth year at the club. She reflected on the players and staff she has met during that time, and picked United’s Champions League campaign and the visit to Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena as a particularly memorable experience.
Liverpool is a fixture she described as intense and significant throughout her seasons with United. The sides had already met in pre-season, and the goalkeeper looked ahead to the league meeting as an opportunity to face the Reds again. Kick-off is scheduled for 13:30 BST later that day.
United’s wider run of matches gives that meeting its immediate context, with the Women’s team’s fixtures setting out the tests around the Liverpool game. Olid’s goalkeeper demands will be put into practice in a competitive setting against a familiar opponent.
International duty follows the club test
Tullis-Joyce also spoke about the United States’ upcoming schedule. She described every call-up as a major honour and said the team had two friendlies against Spain ahead, which she viewed as an important step towards qualifiers.
She added that United’s dressing room can be sparsely populated during international breaks because so many players are away with their national teams. For Tullis-Joyce, the immediate focus is Liverpool; after that, the Spain fixtures represent an important step towards qualifiers.