The Women’s Super League (WSL) is home to some of the most intense and exciting football rivalries, and none is more thrilling than the Manchester derby. This fierce competition between Manchester City and Manchester United has seen its fair share of iconic moments, passionate performances, and unforgettable goals. As the 2024/25 WSL season sees the two sides go head-to-head at Etihad Stadium this Sunday, the stakes are high, with just two points separating the two teams in the league standings. In celebration of this upcoming clash, let’s take a look back at some of the best Manchester derbies in WSL history.
5. Man City 1-0 Man United, September 2019: The Historic First Derby
The very first top-flight Manchester derby between Manchester City and Manchester United took place in September 2019, marking a historic moment for the Women’s Super League. Since United’s re-establishment in the WSL in 2018, there had been much anticipation surrounding their first encounter with their noisy neighbours, and this clash certainly did not disappoint.
Although the match didn’t produce a flurry of goals, it was full of drama and significance. The only goal of the match came from Caroline Weir, who scored an absolute worldie from distance. Her Puskas-nominated strike rattled the back of the net, sending the City fans into raptures and marking the blue side of Manchester’s dominance in this first-ever derby. This encounter established the rivalry between the two sides and set the stage for many more exciting battles to come.
Despite the defeat, Manchester United showed their potential and competitive spirit, and the match solidified the derby’s status as one of the most highly anticipated fixtures in the WSL calendar.
4. Man Utd 2-2 Man City, November 2020: A Derby of Drama and Resilience
The November 2020 derby was a classic example of the unpredictability of football. With the backdrop of lockdown football, the match played out behind closed doors, but that didn’t take away from the excitement on the pitch. In fact, it was one of the most dramatic derbies in recent years, and both teams displayed tremendous resilience and skill.
The Cityzens took an early 2-0 lead, with goals from Chloe Kelly and Laura Coombs, but the Red Devils were not to be outdone. USWNT legend Tobin Heath pulled one back for United with a stunning strike from distance, bringing the score to 2-1. United didn’t stop there, and in the 74th minute, Kirsty Hanson capitalised on a scrappy moment in the box to score the equaliser, bringing the final score to 2-2.
The derby showcased some of the best players in the world, including Heath, Sam Mewis, Lucy Bronze, and Georgia Stanway. This was a game full of flair, drama, and determination, and it further cemented the rivalry as one of the most exciting in women’s football. Both teams left the field with pride, knowing they had given everything in a thrilling encounter.
3. Man Utd 2-2 Man City, October 2021: A Fiery, Heated Encounter
The October 2021 Manchester derby was another intense and fiery affair, with plenty of action and emotion. Played at Leigh Sports Village, the game featured an electric atmosphere as both sides fought for supremacy in the league.
Things got heated early on when Georgia Stanway received a red card in the 35th minute for a reckless challenge on Leah Galton. Despite being reduced to 10 players, City showed their grit and determination, and in the 50th minute, Bunny Shaw scored a powerful header off a well-weighted cross from Demi Stokes to put City back on level terms.
However, United weren’t to be outdone, and they quickly regained the lead thanks to a tap-in from Lucy Staniforth, followed by a stunning strike from Alessia Russo just three minutes later. United fans were on their feet, but their joy was short-lived. City mounted a quick counter-attack, and although United goalkeeper Mary Earps made a fantastic save, Ellen White pounced on the rebound to score the equaliser in the 81st minute, making it 2-2.
This match was full of drama, red cards, and last-minute goals—everything you could want from a derby. Despite being down to 10 players for much of the game, City fought hard for the draw, and the match ended in a thrilling, dramatic fashion that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
2. Man Utd 1-3 Man City, November 2023: A Thrilling Derby at Old Trafford
In November 2023, the Theatre of Dreams hosted one of the most exciting derbies in recent memory. Manchester United’s Old Trafford was the venue for a thrilling four-goal encounter, with City taking the bragging rights in a dramatic showdown.
The match got off to a tense start when United’s Katie Zelem scored from the penalty spot after an Alex Greenwood handball, giving United the lead. However, City responded quickly, and Jill Roord slotted home the equaliser into the bottom-left corner. The game continued to swing back and forth, and City finally took control of the match with a beautiful finish from Lauren Hemp, who rattled the top corner to put City 2-1 up.
As if that wasn’t enough drama, the match ended with Khadija “Bunny” Shaw sealing the victory for City in the dying moments of the game. Shaw capitalised on a mistake from United goalkeeper Mary Earps, and with that goal, City claimed the victory, making it 3-1. The game had everything: fierce competition, world-class goals, and a fantastic atmosphere. The Cityzens proved to be the better side on the day, but United’s resilience and determination made it one of the most exciting derbies in recent memory.
1. Man Utd 2-1 Man City, May 2023: A Historic and Dramatic Finish
The May 2023 Manchester derby was one of the most significant clashes between the two sides, as it took place during the final stretch of the 2022/23 season. Both teams had everything to play for, with United battling to stay in the title race and City pushing for a top-three finish and a place in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
The match started off with a bang when Hayley Ladd scored an early opener for United, sending their fans into raptures. City responded in the second half, with Filippa Angeldal netting the equaliser in the 68th minute to make it 1-1. But the drama was far from over. In the 91st minute, a cross from Hannah Blundell was met by a header from Vilde Boe Risa, which was then converted into a winner by Lucia Garcia, sending the United fans wild and securing a crucial 2-1 victory.
This match was a true spectacle, full of high stakes, tension, and emotion. United’s last-minute winner not only gave them the three points but also kept them in the title race until the final day of the season. For City, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, as they missed out on a top-three finish and a place in Europe. The dramatic nature of the game, combined with its high stakes, made it one of the greatest Manchester derbies in WSL history.
Conclusion: The Fiercest Rivalry in Women’s Football
The Manchester derby in the Women’s Super League is a fixture that always delivers excitement, drama, and fierce competition. From Caroline Weir’s iconic wonder-strike to the high-octane encounters filled with late drama, these matches have etched themselves into the history books of women’s football. As we prepare for the latest instalment of the rivalry this Sunday at Etihad Stadium, one can only hope that this derby will live up to the high standard set by these previous encounters. With both teams in great form and the stakes higher than ever, fans can expect nothing less than a thrilling spectacle.
