Casey Stoney.

City Women v United Women: The big match preview

Tuesday 03 September 2019 15:33

Manchester United Women begin the 2019/20 season with a trip to take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday 7 September, 15:00 BST kick-off.

It’s been nearly four months since Casey Stoney’s side were in competitive action and, in that time, there have been plenty of changes with the Reds, not least which league we’re playing in!

Saturday is also a day of firsts for United, with several players likely to make their debuts, while the game will be the first Manchester derby since the team were formed in 2018.

Here is all the must-know pre-match information ahead of the clash…
Essential match information
says

Saturday 7 September | Women’s Super League | The Etihad | 15:00 BST

HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME?

Our first match of the new season is being shown live on BT Sport 1, with coverage beginning at 14:30 BST. Alternatively, you can get regular updates from the Etihad through our official Twitter account @ManUtdWomen, while the match report will be published on ManUtd.com and our Official App. The match will be shown in full on MUTV from 17:00 BST on Saturday and video highlights will also be available later that evening on ManUtd.com and the Official App.

TICKET NEWS

Tickets for our trip to the Etihad are available to purchase from ManUtd.com/tickets, and are priced at just £7 for adults and £2 for under-16s and over-65s.

TEAM NEWS

United could hand our new signings Jackie Groenen, Abbie McManus, Hayley Ladd, Jane Ross, Mary Earps and Lotta Okvist their United debuts after they joined the Reds this summer. Earps and McManus were both unused substitutes for England on Tuesday night as Phil Neville's side lost 2-1 away to Norway in a friendly.

As for City, they have added Laura Coombs, Aoife Mannion, Ellen White, Matilde Fidalgo, Lee Geum-Min and Tyler Toland to their squad during the off-season and all six could play their first games for the club in Saturday’s Manchester derby.

Last year, the hosts finished second in the WSL, and won the FA Cup and Continental League Cup.

FIRST WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE GAME

For the Reds, Saturday marks a historic first game in the WSL after we gained promotion to the top division last year.

United won the Women’s Championship after gaining an impressive 55 points from a possible 60 and we, ultimately, finished nine points clear of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

After we take on City this weekend, Casey’s Reds then face Arsenal in our first home game of the season at Leigh Sports Village on 16 September.

MAIDEN MANCHESTER DERBY

United did not meet City in either of our two cup runs last season, meaning Saturday is the first Manchester derby since we formed last year.

It already has all the makings of a classic, with both sides likely to have several debutants on show, while the game is being broadcast live on TV and being hosted at City’s Etihad Stadium.

Supporters do not have to wait long for the second derby of the season either, with the clubs drawn together in the Continental Cup, meaning we are set to host City at Leigh Sports Village on 20 October. The reverse league fixture is also currently scheduled for 29 March 2020.
RIVALS WATCH

All 12 sides are involved in games this weekend, with six games spread across Saturday and Sunday. Here is the full schedule of fixtures:

SATURDAY 7 SEPTEMBER

Manchester City Women v Manchester United Women (15:00 BST)
Bristol City Women v Brighton & Hove Albion Women (15:00 BST)

SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER

Chelsea Women v Tottenham Hotspur Women (12:30 BST)
Liverpool Women v Reading Women (14:00 BST)
Birmingham City Women v Everton Ladies (14:00 BST)
Arsenal Women v West Ham United Women (14:30 BST)

Reading this in our app? If not, you might miss some exclusive features not found on ManUtd.com. Download the Official App here.

Recommended: