The best Manchester derbies in WSL history

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

History precedes the sporting reputation of this derby and Sunday is sure to be no exception to the rule. Like Gareth Taylor’s Cityzens prepare to enter the fray without star strikers Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw and Lauren Hemp, Marc Skinner’s Red Devils will be keen to exploit the vulnerabilities of their injured opponents.

Just two points separate the two Mancunian sides at WSL championship rating, and a win for United we’ll see them outscore their WSL rivals. Skinner’s side will be keen to add a strike to their derby tally having won just once in nine league meetings.

90 minutes Take a look at the best of the WSL’s Manchester derbies ahead of Sunday’s epic clash…

Although this matchup did not produce an abundance of goals, it marked a historic moment in the WSL. Since United’s inception in 2018, this game was the first top-flight derby between the two sides.

It was Caroline Weir who broke the deadlock for City with a wonder. Puskas’ proposed goal hit the net from long range, bringing derby day delight to the blue side of Manchester.

Lockdown football at its finest, this game was a sight of events. Some of the world’s biggest stars appeared on the bitter November afternoon, including Tobin Heath, Sam Mewis, Lucy Bronze and Georgia Stanway.

The Cityzens took an early half-time lead 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 strapping strike into the top of the net from distance. United managed to grab a point in the 74th minute as Kirsty Hanson capitalized on a scuffle in the box to make it 2-2.

Another 2-2 draw puts Leigh Sports Village on the shortlist in an extremely tight derby day encounter.

Georgia Stanway saw red in the 35th minute after a mistimed challenge on Leah Galton. The Cityzens managed to score a goal despite being reduced to 10 men as Bunny Shaw headed in a well-timed cross from Demi Stokes.

Another goal from close range allowed the Red Devils to level thanks to a tap-in from Lucy Staniforth moments before Alessia Russo went ahead just three minutes later. A brilliant finish from Russo had the home fans roaring, but the surprise was short-lived.

Just four minutes later, City went on the counter-attack and forced a top-shelf save from Mary Earps. Despite her best efforts, Ellen White was there to steal the glory as she hit the tracks to level the teams at 2-2.

The Theater of Dreams played host to a four-goal thriller in the closing stages of 2024 as City claimed Manchester’s rights once again.

Katie Zelem would get on the scoresheet first after Alex Greenwood’s handball gave United a penalty. The former captain got the opener despite a good effort from Khiara Keating to get a palm on the strike.

Jill Roord scored the equalizer into the bottom left corner soon after, and from there, City cruised home. A beautiful finish from Lauren Hemp saw her rattle into the top corner, before Shaw sealed the deal by capitalizing on a Mary Earps blunder in the closing stages.

Rivalry, atmosphere, world-class finishes – this game had it all.

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

An opener from Hayley Ladd had the Red Devils fans excited, before Filippa Angeldal equalized in the 68th minute.

A dramatic finish went down in the history books as Hannah Blundell volleyed a cross into the area. With Vilde Boe Risa’s header, Lucia Garcia picked up the scrap and fired home the winner to send Manchester red in the 91st minute.

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

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