On Sunday, Old Trafford will host the women’s Manchester derby for the first time as Manchester United take on their neighbours and rivals Manchester City to see who will come away with the bragging rights. The Red Devils will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the league season. Whilst, our opponents suffered a surprise defeat against Brighton last weekend and are hoping to bounce back.
We head into this fixture with 12 points from the opening six league games lying third in the table and just four points behind leaders Chelsea. In this run, there have been three frustrating draws, and are still one of only two teams not to lose a game in the top-flight this season.
United have been in fine goalscoring form as we are the second-highest scorers in the league with 17 goals following our impressive 5-0 win against West Ham. We were 3-0 up by half time thanks to goals from Geyse, Millie Turner, and Nikita Parris. Lucia Garcia and Melvine Malard then found the net in the second half.
The result sees us extend our unbeaten home run to 17 competitive matches and will be hoping to continue this as we swap Leigh Sports Village for Old Trafford. It is expected to be a record crowd with 45,000 tickets sold so far.
Manchester United Women Team News
United are still without the services of Lucy Watson, Gabby George, and Aoife Mannion, who are long-term absentees. Head coach Marc Skinner has also revealed that defender Evie Rabjohn will miss the game due to a foot injury. Midfielder Irene Guerrero remains out for a couple more weeks. After such a dominant win against West Ham, Skinner may decide to name an unchanged side for the Manchester derby.
Manchester United Women Predicted Lineup
Earps; Riviere, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell; Toone, Zelem, Miyazawa; Parris, Galton and Geyse.
Opposition Preview
Manchester City will have been downbeat after losing 1-0 to Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend. Lee Geum-min scored the only goal of the game in the 81st minute that saw City suffer their first home league defeat since November 2021 which sees them sixth in the table and two points behind United.
The previous game saw them lose to Arsenal and there is a prospect that they could lose three consecutive league games for the first time in over two years. City will be going into the derby looking to achieve their first away victory over United having drawn two and lost one of their previous three meetings in the WSL. Their away record this season has seen them win four of their five games and will believe they can take all three points at Old Trafford.
Manchester City Women Team News
Our opponents will welcome back defender Alex Greenwood after she passed the concussion protocols missing the last three games. After being on the bench last weekend, Lauren Hemp could return to the starting lineup for the derby. Bunny Shaw will be looking to add to her goalscoring tally having scored two goals so far in the WSL.
Form Guide
Manchester United Women WSL form: WDDWDW
Manchester United Women form (all competitions): DLWDWW
Manchester City Women WSL form: WDWLL
Manchester City Women form (all competitions): WWWLWL
Prediction
United are currently unbeaten in their last eleven home league games and will be hoping to continue this run of form with a victory over our local rivals. We will have to be wary of the danger that City poses as they look to recover from their last two defeats against Arsenal and Brighton.
Manchester United Women 3-0 Manchester City Women
