Manchester United welcome neighbours Manchester City to Old Trafford for an eagerly anticipated derby in the Women’s Super League on Sunday afternoon.
The first all-Manchester clash of the season is expected to surpass United’s attendance record of 30,196, with more than 40,000 tickets sold by Tuesday. Home manager Marc Skinner warned that the atmosphere would create “a pressure cauldron for everyone”.
While the hosts have the responsibility of maintaining their unbeaten league start in front of their fans, City can scarcely afford a third consecutive defeat. Gareth Taylor’s side were beaten by an 87th-minute winner from Arsenal‘s Stina Blackstenius before a shock home loss to Brighton last weekend.
Here’s everything you need to know about a mouthwatering Manchester derby.
Man Utd vs Man City H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (Last Five Games)
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Country |
TV channel/live stream |
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United Kingdom |
Sky Sports Football, SKY GO Extra, Sky Sports Premier League |
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United States |
Not available |
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Canada |
Sportsnet One, Sportsnet Now, Sportsnet World, Sportsnet World Now, Sportsnet Now Plus |
Katie Zelem finished Manchester United‘s 5-0 thumping of West Ham last weekend heavily bandaged. The club’s medical team judged that the captain avoided any concussion when suffering a cut to the head and Zelem will no doubt lead her side out on Sunday.
United’s summer arrival from Atletico Madrid Irene Guerrero has only been afforded eight league minutes of action this season due largely to injury. A knee issue that has dogged her time in England is set to persist until December.
Teenage defender Evie Rabjohn is nursing a foot problem while Aoife Mannion will continue to watch from the sidelines, likely with a cup of Bovril in hand. Long-term absentees Gabby George and Emma Watson are also unavailable.
Man Utd predicted lineup vs Man City (4-2-3-1): Earps; Riviere, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell; Toone, Zelem, Miyazawa; Parris, Geyse, Galton.
City may have lost their last two matches but the talismanic Alex Greenwood was absent from the backline for both outings. The incisive defender has been sidelined by a serious head injury since October but is available for Sunday’s derby. Taylor grinned: “Having Alex back is great for us.”
Taylor was positive, if vague, regarding the rest of his squad, simply stating: “We have good availability in terms of players who can be selected.”
Man City predicted lineup vs Man Utd (4-3-3): Keating; Morgan, Kennedy, Greenwood, Aleixandri; Angeldahl, Hasegawa, Roord; Kelly, Shaw, Hemp.
Sunday’s derby pits two ball-centric teams against one another. As United’s Skinner acknowledged: “Manchester City love possession, we love possession.” United only boasted less than 50% of the ball in one WSL game last season; a 1-1 draw away to City in December.
Lucia Garcia snatched a 2-1 victory for United in stoppage time when they hosted City in May, securing the club’s first-ever derby win in the WSL.
Despite City’s recent struggles, United may not retain bragging rights after this weekend as the return of Greenwood threatens to steady the visitors’ backline and aid the battle for the ball.
Prediction: Man Utd 1-1 Man City
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