FAWSL 2020/2021: Manchester United Women vs Manchester City Women – tactical analysis

The Manchester derby was played last Saturday, and Manchester United Women were able to draw with Manchester City Women 2-2 after being behind in score at the end of the first-half. And following Arsenal and Chelsea’s 1-1 draw, Manchester United remained at the top of the FAWSL with 17 points while Manchester City are now holding the fifth spot with only 12 points.

In this tactical analysis article, we will delve deeper into the tactics of both teams during this match while focusing on the strong first-half performance of Manchester City and on the comeback of Manchester United and what led to it. This analysis will also point out the players who made a difference for their teams and made life harder for their opponents.

Lineups

Casey Stoney chose to start this derby with a few changes from the last game against Arsenal but with the same formation; the 4-2-3-1. Mary Earps was the team’s goalkeeper, Ona Batlle played as a right-back, Amy Turner and Millie Turner as centre-backs, and Leah Galton as a left-back.

The midfield consisted of Hayley Ladd and Jackie Groenen as central midfielders and in front of them Jessica Sigsworth, Ella Toone played as an advanced playmaker with both Jessica Sigsworth and Tobin Heath on the wings. And Christen Press played as a striker before getting subbed to Lauren James on the 55th minute.

On the other side, Gareth Taylor preferred to play according to his preferred formation with Manchester City, which is the 4-3-3. The team played with Ellie Roebuck as a goalkeeper, Lucy Bronze on the right flank, Steph Houghton and Alex Greenwood as centre-backs and Demi Stokes as a left-back.

In midfield, Keira Walsh, Sam Mewis and Laura Coombs were the three midfielders who contributed both in attack and in helping the defence and winning the ball back. And in front of them, Chloe Kelly played on the right-wing, Georgia Stanway on the left-wing and Ellen White as a striker.

Manchester City’s first-half domination

Manchester City started this match in the best possible way by surprising Manchester United with the fast build-up and especially by penetrating from both flanks to reach midfield and then advance through Kelly, Stanway or White.

And