A preview of derby day in the WSL

Manchester City v Manchester United preview

Derby bragging rights are on the line as Manchester City Women prepare to host Manchester United Women. 

Author | Macca

Stadium | Etihad Stadium

Last season's match between the two sides

The home side sit at the summit of the Women’s Super League, while United trail by four points in third place. It has the potential to be a very exciting match.

How have City been performing going into this?

City have found their stride after opening the Women’s Super League campaign with a narrow defeat to Chelsea.

Since that setback, they have strung together seven successive league victories. One of their best performances was a 2-1 win away at Anfield.

The latest win came in Sunday’s tight encounter at Everton. Vivianne Miedema and Khadija Bunny Shaw were on target in a 2-1 win at Goodison Park, a result that moved City to the top of the table as they chase a first WSL title since 2016.

With 20 goals from eight matches, Andree Jeglertz’s team heads into the weekend as the division’s most prolific attacking side, which will fuel their belief as they prepare to face a Manchester United outfit that hold the second-best defensive record in the league.

City are also one of two clubs with a perfect home record this season, alongside defending champions Chelsea.

The United perspective

Manchester United remain third in the table, two points ahead of Arsenal, after taking five wins, two draws, and a single defeat from their opening eight matches.

That loss came in last Saturday’s meeting with Aston Villa at Leigh Sports Village, where Miril Taylor struck the only goal in a tight 1-0 contest.

Marc Skinner’s side responded with resolve in midweek, edging a 2-1 win over PSG in the Women’s Champions League at Old Trafford. Melvine Malard opened the scoring, Olga Carmona levelled, and Fridolina Rolfo found the net for a second successive European outing to secure the victory.

United 2 - 1 PSG
Three wins from three for Marc Skinner's side in the league phase of the Champions Leaguehttps://t.co/uMTLjbdP2g

— The View From K Stand (@viewfromkstand) November 12, 2025

The result leaves United as one of three clubs with a perfect record after matchday three, placing them third in the group and well positioned for a push towards the knockout stage.

Attention now turns to Saturday’s league fixture, with United aiming for a third straight away win in this fixture in 2025, having backed up January’s 4-2 league success with a 2-0 triumph in April’s FA Cup semi-final.