Maria Edwards

Maria Edwards (born 12 May 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United of the FA Women's Super League.

Youth career

Maria Edwards started her football career in the Manchester City academy. She was the leading goalscorer for her respective age bracket, scoring 70 goals in 24 games during the 2014–15 season. On 13 June 2015, Edwards was signed by Manchester United and joined the Regional Talent Club before returning to Manchester City in 2017. On 14 April 2018, Edwards scored a hat-trick for the U16s during a 3–1 victory over Reading in the final of the FA Youth Cup at St George’s Park.

Manchester United

In 2019, Edwards rejoined United following the creation of a senior team the season before. The club also entered a full-time U21 team to compete in the FA WSL Academy League for the first time. Ahead of the 2019–20 season, Edwards received the number 24 shirt and traveled to Norway with the senior team during preseason, making her unofficial senior debut in a friendly against Vålerenga. On 16 September 2019, Edwards was named as a substitute for the senior team for the first time during United's FA Women's Super League game against Arsenal.

In October 2019, Edwards was called up to England U17 squad for the 2020 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship qualifying round in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She made her U17 debut as a substitute in the opening game against Croatia. Edwards played in all three group games and scored two goals.

Edwards started boxing aged 8 at the Collyhurst and Moston Boxing Club in Manchester and was coached by former boxer Thomas McDonagh. She is a two-time England Boxing National Schools Champion, winning in 2016 and 2017.

Edwards has named her sporting heroes as Ronaldo and Marta in football, and Nicola Adams and Manny Pacquiao in boxing.