United maintain perfect start to their WSL season

London City Lionesses 1 - 5 Manchester United

Manchester United maintained their place at the top of the Women’s Super League with a commanding victory over London City Lionesses.

Author | Sophie T

Stadium | Copperjax Community Stadium

This was a result that provides a timely boost ahead of Thursday’s decisive Champions League return leg against Brann.

Marc Skinner rotated his side for the trip to Bromley, handing a first league start in red to Jess Park and recalling Millie Turner, Julia Zigiotti Olme and Celin Bizet Donnum. On the opposite side, there were familiar faces in the form of former United duo Katie Zelem and Nikita Parris.

Maya Le Tissier, making her 100th appearance for the club, opened the scoring from the penalty spot, while Jayde Riviere celebrated her 50th game with her first goal. Melvine Malard continued her prolific start to the season, striking twice after the interval to take her tally to four in just two WSL outings. Park capped off the display with a superb fifth late on.

READ MORE | Women's football news and stories from United and City

There was also a debut for Fridolina Rolfö and a 50th United appearance for Hinata Miyazawa. The afternoon was not without setbacks, however, with Turner stretchered off in the second half and Parris netting a consolation for the home side to deny United a clean sheet.

Comfortable win before big European night  

his fixture came sandwiched between the two legs of their Champions League qualifier against Brann, where United trail 1-0 from the first meeting in Norway. Marc Skinner opted for three changes to his line-up, with striker Elisabeth Terland among those starting on the bench.

There was still no shortage of quality on the pitch, however, with summer signing Jess Park handed her first league start. United delivered a controlled, professional performance in south London, brushing aside spells of Lionesses pressure before two quick goals after the interval settled the contest.

For Skinner, now in his fifth season at the helm, there is little margin for error if United are to mount a credible title challenge against Chelsea. For the moment though, they remain flawless.