Fridolina Rolfö: ‘It’s been a great first season at United but now the fun starts ...’

Fridolina Rolfö’s first campaign in English football has already delivered a cup final, and the Sweden winger believes the best is still to come when Manchester United meet Chelsea in Sunday’s Women’s League Cup final at Ashton Gate.

The 32-year-old, who joined United on a free transfer from Barcelona last summer, has reached a dozen major finals before this weekend’s showdown with the holders, including five Champions League deciders and an Olympic gold-medal match. That pedigree, she insists, is precisely why she crossed the North Sea.

“I know how you win,” Rolfö said matter-of-factly. “I know what I can bring to the team to help in those games. I hope I can help with my experience when we’re getting to those big games.”

Her impact has been immediate. A stoppage-time winner against Tottenham in December’s quarter-final underlined her taste for decisive moments, and she has four goals and two assists in her last six appearances for Marc Skinner’s side. United, contesting their fourth major final in club history, have leaned on that know-how all season.

Reaching the final is not enough for the self-described serial winner. “Yes, we should be proud, but of course we’re not happy – we want to win the final as well,” she said. “This is what we all strive for. The club wants this. We all want to win it.”

Sunday represents Rolfö’s 14th senior final and United’s chance to lift their first League Cup. Standing in their way are Chelsea, chasing the trophy for a seventh consecutive season and buoyed by last month’s extra-time victory over United in the FA Cup. “We know how successful they have been the last couple of years,” Rolfö acknowledged. “They are on a really high level, but I still see our chance to win the game.”

The Swede has featured mainly in United’s front three this season, preferring the attacking freedom after a spell as an attacking left-back at Barcelona. “I get more out of my qualities when I’m in a more offensive position,” she explained. “But I still like to play left-back. I’m a pretty flexible player.”

Off the pitch, Rolfö keeps nerves in check with mundane routines. “I usually try to do something throughout the day so I’m not only thinking about the game,” she said, citing grocery runs as a favourite distraction. She also mentors younger teammates, passing on lessons gleaned from 107 caps and 33 goals for Sweden.

United’s busy spring could yet grow busier: a Champions League quarter-final against former club Bayern Munich looms after the domestic final. “It’s fun that we get the possibility to play both Champions League and the cup,” Rolfö said. “So far it’s been a great first year here in Manchester United and now the most fun parts are coming.”

If her track record is any guide, those fun parts could soon include silverware.