The Women’s Super League (WSL) will be considered this Sunday as City host United at the Etihad Stadium in the first Manchester derby of the 2024/25 season.

History precedes this derby’s competitive reputation and Sunday was no exception to the rule. Like Gareth Taylor Citizens Set to enter the battle without star forwards Khadijah ‘Bunny’ Shaw and Lauren Hamp, Mark Skinner’s Red Devils will be keen to exploit the weaknesses of their injured rivals.

Only two points separate the two Mancunian sides WSL League standings, and victory for combined They will see their rivals in the WSL leapfrog. Skinner’s side will be keen to add a strike to their derby tally, having managed just one victory in nine league meetings.

90 minutes A look back at the best of the WSL’s Manchester derby ahead of Sunday’s epic showdown…

Although the match did not produce an abundance of goals, it marked a historic moment in the WSL. The fixture was the first top-flight derby between the two sides since United’s debut in 2018.

It was Caroline Ware who broke the deadlock with a wonder-strike for City. The Puskas-nominated goal rattled the back of the net from distance, bringing derby day joy to Manchester’s blue side.

Lockdown football at its best, this fixture was the scene of events. Some of the world’s biggest stars were featured on the bitter November afternoon, including Tobin Heath, Sam Mavis, Lucy Bronze and Georgia Steinway.

The Citizens took an early lead at half-time thanks to early goals from Chloe Kelly and Laura Coombs.

It was USWNT legend Heath who struck first for the Red Devils, as the midfielder sent a belting strike into the top of the net from distance. United managed to grab a point in the 74th minute, as Kirsty Hansen capitalized on a scramble inside the area to bring the final score to 2-2.

Another 2-2 draw at Leigh Sports Village made the shortlist in what was a heated derby-day encounter.

Georgia Steinway saw red in the 35th minute for an ill-timed challenge on Leigh Galton. The Citizens managed to score despite being down to 10 men, as Bunny Shaw headed in a well-weighted cross from Demi Stokes.

Another goal from close range allowed the Red Devils to level the scores thanks to Lucy Staniforth’s tap-in, with Alecia Russo taking the lead just three minutes later. A brilliant finish from Russo sent the home fans roaring, but the rapture was short-lived.

Just four minutes later, City counter-attacked and forced a top-shelf save from Mary Earps. Despite her best efforts, Ellen White was there to steal the glory as she poked home the scraps to draw the sides at 2-2.

The 2024 final saw the Theater of Dreams host a four-goal thriller as City once again claimed Manchester’s bragging rights.

Katie Zelem would get on the scoresheet first after Alex Greenwood’s handball awarded United with a penalty. The former captain dismissed the opener at home despite a good effort by Khiyara Keating to get a palm on the strike.

Jill Roord immediately scored the equalizer into the bottom-left corner and from there, City powered it home. Lauren Hamp’s fine finish nudged her into the top corner, before Shaw capitalized on a Mary Earps mistake in the closing stages to seal the deal.

The rivalry, the atmosphere, the world-class finish—this game had it all.

The final week of the 2022/23 season brought high stakes for both sides in Manchester. United were keen to continue their chase to win the league, while the Citizens were chasing third place and a place in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Hailey Ladd’s early opener had the Red Devils fans in a frenzy, before Philippa Engeldal brought the terms level in the 68th minute.

A dramatic finish was written into the history books, as Hannah Blundell flew a cross into the area. Under Wilde Bo Risa, Lucia Garcia picked up the scraps and fired home the winner in the 91st minute to send Manchester red.

The winner kept United in the title race until the final day and meant that City would eventually miss out on European qualification.

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