Manchester United Women had to settle for a point away to our local rivals Manchester City in our final game of the Women’s Super League before the winter break commences. It was an impressive performance attacking-wise from the Reds. We have never beaten City in the league since the team was reformed and Sunday presented a good chance to change that. United arrived into the game following wins over Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Everton in the League Cup.
Head coach Marc Skinner named the same side that played in the previous league game, which had seen us secure a 5-0 win against Aston Villa. Mary Earps was between the sticks, and Ona Batlle, Hannah Blundell, Millie Turner, and Maya Le Tissier in the back line. Katie Zelem and Hayley Ladd were the midfield pairing with Ella Toone, Nikita Parris, Leah Galton, and Alessia Russo leading the attack.
Impressive Attacking Display In Opening Half
The Reds started the game well and were enjoying spells of possession. However, it was City who would have the first effort on goal testing our goalkeeper Mary Earps. The first 20 minutes saw both teams go back and forth in terms of attack. Nikita Parris nearly gave us the lead when she was put through by Ella Toone but the opposition held firm.
United took the lead in the 27th minute. Galton and Toone combined on the left wing. Galton then made her way into the opposition box with her effort on goal going through the legs of former United defender Greenwood. This was her fourth goal in her last eight appearances.
City looked to get back into the game immediately and nearly did through Lauren Hemp but her effort was easily gathered up by Earps. United were looking brighter in the wider areas, Russo had nearly set up Parris, when on the counter-attack and was in a 3-on-3 situation. However, Parris was just inches away from getting the ball and looking to extend our lead.
As time ticked down to the half-time whistle, chances for both sides became limited as Toone’s long-effort strike went wide of City’s goal, and Deny Castellanos shot was saved by Earps.
United unable to find the winning goal after City’s equaliser
The Reds came into the second half looking to build on their performance and get that second goal. Hannah Blundell’s cross into the box was nearly turned into the City net by their own defender Greenwood. Despite our early dominance, it was the opposition who would find the equaliser. In their first chance, Chloe Kelly crossed the ball into the box and was met by the head of Laura Coombs to go past Mary Earps in the 58th minute.
We came to close to restoring our lead immediately but Hayley Ladd’s looping strike was gathered by City’s goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck. United’s period of possession was not to last long as City looked to gain some momentum. They worked the ball across the midfield before a ball over the top was met by Khadija Shaw. Maya Le Tissier managed to recover to stop the league’s top scorer from having an effort on goal.
In the 80th minute, United had a great chance to go ahead in the game. Galton’s cross from the left was met by the head of Martha Thomas, which was saved by Roebuck. Though the goalkeeper dropped the ball, it was quickly gathered up. There was another chance during stoppage time when Roebuck’s misplaced pass was picked up by Galton who crossed the ball back toward Lucia Garcia. She was convinced it had struck the hand of Alex Greenwood but it was not deliberate and the referee waved away the protests by the United players.
United now sit third in the WSL table going into the winter break two points behind Arsenal with Chelsea five points clear at the top, though they have played a game more.
Head coach Marc Skinner praised his side’s psychological growth and how the players reacted after the draw showing why the team is “a different beast” this season.