Derby day is always a significant occasion in the city of Manchester, with the clashes between the mens teams of both clubs involved being fierce rivals of each other, and historically both title challengers and results between the two have often decided the outcome of a campaign.
Until recently, the two womens teams have not experienced fan excitement and passion on the same scale, with Manchester United Women only being promoted to the WSL in 2019 and only becoming genuine contenders for honours in the last few campaigns. However, there is no doubt that clashes between them and Manchester City Women have now started to carry as much weight as the mens teams yearly meetings do and are now just as major an event in the citys sporting calendar.
This year saw history being made, with Old Trafford hosting a WSL derby match for the first time ever, and it was an occasion that many wearing red would have been looking forward to. However, the feeling among those supporting the home side would have been very different at full-time, with their side unable to break down a resilient and well-organised Manchester City Womens team and ending up with a second defeat in nine meetings with their neighbours.
This tactical analysis will look at where Manchester City secured the points in this highly anticipated encounter, breaking down how their tactics allowed them to control the game and highlighting the role that star striker Khadija Shaw played in allowing the victory to come about. The analysis will also look at the role that Manchester United played in their own downfall, identifying where they could have done things differently and where they will need to improve if they are to start winning these matches and giving their fans reasons to smile when they come around.
Lineups
Manchester United Women made just two changes to their starting XI from the dominant win against West Ham United Women last weekend, with head coach Marc Skinner deciding to drop Canada right-back Jayde Riviere and summer signing Hinata Miyazawa to the bench and to bring on-loan Lyon Féminin forward Melvine Malard and Norway midfielder Lisa Naalsund into the mix. Riviere was replaced by ex-Chelsea Women full-back Hannah Blundell, who shifted across from left-back, whilst Leah Galton, normally a winger, started in her place. The alteration between Japan international Miyazawa and Naalsund was more straightforward, with it being a direct replacement in the holding midfield area.
Manchester City Women, who have lost their last two matches against Arsenal Women and Brighton and Hove Albion Women, made several alterations to their lineup, with head coach Gareth Taylor opting to move full-backs Esme Morgan and Julie Blakstad and forward Mary Fowler to the bench as he tried to change his sides fortunes. Laia Aleixandri moved from centre-back to right-back to replace Morgan, whilst England international Alex Greenwood and former Barcelona Femení player Leila Ouahabi returned from injury and suspension respectively to complete the back line. Fowler was replaced by Lauren Hemp, who had started on the bench at the Joie Stadium last weekend.
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