🔗 Share this article

Similar to bad weather swept through the north-west the previous evening, City overwhelmed Manchester United away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a convincing 3-0 win for the City coach's side due to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a result that firmly established their leadership claims as they reinforced their place at the top of the table.

Successive Setbacks for Manchester United

This scoreline signalled back-to-back league setbacks for the United manager's side for the initial occasion since spring 2024, leaving them a significant margin off the table toppers with their title hopes severely dented.

The Red Devils' capacity to balance league and European football with a limited team has been a widely debated issue since they qualified for the European competition. Considering the calendar, it always felt like this was the matchday that would seriously challenge this capability. Unfortunately for the away side, they looked weary from start to finish, the historic win against the French side clearly having left its mark.

Team Changes

The United manager had sought to rotate the squad with a a few alterations. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Galton all brought freshness, although the dropping of the on-form Melvine Malard to the sidelines raised a few eyebrows.

The hosts, in opposition, have no such fitness issues. Andrée Jeglertz made one adjustment from their most recent win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her first start since returning from a fitness issue.

Commanding Opening Period

The storm clouds started to accumulate for Skinner and his side from the opening minute. This was a exhibition of the strength from Manchester City whose potent attack played with and tore United open with a superb first half display that saw them put three past the keeper in 21 minutes.

This placed City completely dominant and had Manchester United struggling. In advance of this fixture, United had conceded just six in this domestic competition but they collapsed in the presence of the hosts' creative prowess.

Early Chances

The omens came early when Miedema used her power to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything in the beginning, exploiting the room left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her passes were creating danger and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg cleared off the line.

The Red Devils had several attacks ahead, their direct style giving them choices in the wide areas but they could not challenge the City goalkeeper. Manchester City, in the meantime, dominated possession, teasing their opposition and trying to draw them out of their defensive shape.

Goals Galore

They made their pressure count with almost half an hour played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A delivery to the back post was nodded across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to score. It was City’s 7th headed goal of the season.

They added to their advantage with two more goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was able to advance through the center from central defence, the pitch became spacious for the hosts. The key Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right before sending a pinpoint ground pass for Shaw to force home. A short time later, they had a third goal after a swift shift in possession saw Hemp afforded the room to drive a attempt home from range.

Final Period

The primary change came from Skinner at the interval as Melvine Malard entered for Terland but by this time it was futile to shift the momentum of the game. Former Manchester City player Park came most likely to score, striking the post, but the away team were offensively poor and were unable to register a single shot on target.

The hosts, in contrast, could have extended their cushion when a excellent Vivianne Miedema pass sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it mattered little to the hosts. After failing to beat any opponent who finished above them the previous campaign, City's side now have wins against Arsenal and Manchester United to place them in a commanding position after nine games.