Manchester United forward Geyse has opened up about “an agonising and lonely feeling” following the club’s 2-0 Women’s Super League (WSL) win over Leicester City on Sunday.
Geyse came on as a substitute in the 84th minute of United’s victory at Leigh Sports Village. The six-minute cameo marked just the ninth WSL appearance for the 24-year-old this season and her first WSL appearance since December 15 in United’s 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace. Geyse returned to Manchester in February from Brazil after spending a club-approved leave of absence there following the death of her brother, Geovanne, in a car accident on January 16.
Following the full-time whistle, Geyse posted a statement on Instagram describing an environment in which “inner peace is difficult to find”.
“Staying in a place where we don’t feel happy is an agonising and lonely feeling. Every day seems heavier, and the simple fact of being there becomes a burden,” Geyse wrote. “The environment, which should be welcoming, becomes a field of discomfort, where inner peace is difficult to find. When we are not in tune with what surrounds us, the world around us loses its colour and energy.
“Sometimes, the desire for change arises as an urgent need, but the fear of the unknown or insecurity about the future can paralyse us.
“However, it is essential to remember that we deserve to be in places and situations that bring us happiness and fulfilment.
“That’s the only way we can grow.”
Geyse has only made nine appearances for United this season. (Charlotte Tattersall / Manchester United via Getty Images)
Before entering the match, Geyse stood on the touchline in front of 37-year-old forward Rachel Williams looking noticeably unsettled. Williams patted the Brazilian on the shoulders and whispered words to her before entering the field. United were 2-0 up at half-time courtesy of goals from Melvine Malard and Leah Galton.
Asked about the lack of minutes and sense of apprehension with which Geyse entered the pitch on Sunday afternoon, United boss Marc Skinner said, “Geyse wants to play. She wants to start, but we all know the difficult time she’s going through. Her mood will be up and down at times and that’s okay. We’re working with humans, it’s not robots.
“Naturally Rachel [Williams] is a motivator, she’s like a big sister to a lot of them. Geyse and Rachel have a really good relationship and sometimes you need that and hopefully we can see Geyse start to feel herself again in the coming months.”
In a statement provided to The Athletic, a United spokesperson said: “We continue to support Geyse in her wellbeing and are continuing to look for options which suit all parties.”
Geyse joined United in August 2023 from Barcelona after winning Liga F, the Supercopa de Espana and the UEFA Women’s Champions League with the Spanish side in the 2022/23 season.
Despite making 19 appearances in her first WSL season with United, starting 13 matches and supplying one goal and two assists as United finished fourth in the WSL and won the FA Cup, she has struggled for consistent game time in her second spell with the club.
Geyse has played the full 90 minutes in just one WSL match, United’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in November. Competition for starting positions in United’s forward line has increased with the summer arrivals of Elisabeth Terland and Celin Bizet from Brighton and Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.
(Top photo: Charlotte Tattersall / Manchester United via Getty Images)
