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Just as bad weather tore through the northwest the previous evening, the home side blew United aside at the Etihad. It was a convincing three goal win for Andrée Jeglertz’s side due to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that clearly signaled their leadership claims as they strengthened their standing at the league summit.

Successive Losses for United

This result represented consecutive WSL defeats for the United manager's side for the initial occasion since May 2024, leaving them seven points off the table toppers with their trophy ambitions in serious doubt.

Manchester United's ability to balance domestic and continental soccer with a small team has been a widely debated issue since they earned a place in the European competition. Looking at the schedule, it always appeared this was the week that would truly test this ability. Regrettably for the away side, they looked weary all game, the landmark win against the French side clearly having taken a toll.

Team Changes

Marc Skinner had tried to freshen things up with a handful of changes. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all provided freshness, although the exclusion of the in-form Melvine Malard to the substitutes raised a few eyebrows.

City, in opposition, have no similar fitness issues. Jeglertz made one change from last week’s win over Everton with Hemp making her initial starting appearance since returning from injury.

Commanding Opening Period

The trouble started to gather for the United boss and his side from the opening minute. This was a show of the strength from City whose dynamic offense controlled and pulled the visitors apart with a superb initial 45 minutes performance that saw them net a trio in under half an hour.

This put the hosts in a commanding position and had Manchester United disorganized. In advance of this match, United had let in just six in this WSL season but they collapsed in the presence of the hosts' attacking flair.

Initial Opportunities

The early indicators came early when Vivianne Miedema used her power to push Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot past the post. Hemp was at the center of everything early on, using the space left by Jayde Riviere down United’s right side. Her crosses were causing problems and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had multiple forays forwards, their straightforward approach giving them options in the wide areas but they could not challenge Yamashita. City, meanwhile, commanded the ball, teasing their opponents and trying to draw them out of their organization.

Goals Galore

They made their pressure count with almost the first period played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A ball to the far post was directed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to score. It was City’s 7th header of the term.

They increased their lead with another pair of goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was permitted to drive through the midfield from the back, the pitch became spacious for City. The key Casparij picked the ball up on the right before delivering a pinpoint ground pass for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. A short time later, they had a additional score after a swift change in possession saw Lauren Hemp allowed the room to strike a attempt home from distance.

After the Break

The primary substitution came from the United manager at the interval as Malard was introduced for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was ineffective to alter the outcome of the contest. Former Manchester City player Jess Park came most likely to score, rattling the upright, but the visitors were creatively abject and did not manage to register a one shot on target.

The home side, in contrast, could have added to their lead when a superb Miedema through ball sent Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it was insignificant to the hosts. Having failed to overcome any opponent who placed above them last season, the manager's side now have wins against Arsenal and Manchester United to position them in a commanding situation after the opening fixtures.