Women's FA Cup trophy.

Women's match preview: United v Man City

Friday 24 January 2020 17:20

Manchester United Women begin our Women's FA Cup campaign on Saturday, as the Reds host local rivals Manchester City at Leigh Sports Village.

It is the third time this season that we will have faced our neighbours, having met on the opening weekend of the WSL and in the group stages of the Continental League Cup, with United emerging with a defeat and a win respectively.

Casey Stoney's side had a strong cup run last season, making it to the quarter-finals before being knocked out in extra time by Reading.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Saturday's cup tie...

Highlights: United Women 2 Man City Women 0 Video

Highlights: United Women 2 Man City Women 0

Watch the key moments and Casey Stoney’s reaction after we secured a first-ever win over our crosstown rivals...

HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME?

The match will be shown on the BBC Red Button and BBC iPlayer as well as The FA Player, with kick-off taking place at 12:45 GMT. As usual, we’ll be providing updates on our official Twitter account @ManUtdWomen and, after the game, a full match report will be published on ManUtd.com and in our Official App. MUTV will also be showing extended highlights at 03:00 GMT on Monday morning, while video highlights will be available on the website.

FORM GUIDE

With two games in hand, United are currently leading the chasing pack in the Women's Super League. The Reds occupy fourth in the table, behind the top three of Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea. Despite beginning 2020 with a surprise defeat to Bristol City, the Reds soon returned to winning ways with a 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, with a brace from Katie Zelem and a goal from Jess Sigsworth.

As for the visitors, City have only lost three games in domestic competition this term, one of which was against United in the Continental League Cup. Their two other defeats were to Arsenal and Chelsea in the WSL, with the league leaders winning all the rest.

WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME?

Katie Zelem and Jess Sigsworth scored the vital goals for the Reds, in what was our maiden home clash against our local rivals back in October.

With England manager Phil Neville watching on from the stands, our skipper stepped up and curled a superb effort past the City goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck.

After the interval, the lead was soon doubled, as Kirsty Hanson flew down the right wing and delivered a well-timed cross into Sigsworth who poked the ball into the back of the City net.

The visitors' day went from bad to worse when Keira Walsh was dismissed 10 minutes later, for a poor tackle on Hanson. The England international lunged in at the United winger and received a straight red card from the referee.
Video
Casey Stoney previews United's FA Cup meeting with Manchester City.

ONE TO WATCH

With seven goals in the WSL and five in the Continental League Cup, Katie Zelem will be looking to continue her impressive form against Manchester City on Saturday. Our captain spoke to MUTV ahead of Saturday's match and discussed the Women's FA Cup, our opposition and how she has been looking to improve her game.

"I've practised a lot on my penalties and free kicks and it looks like it's starting to pay off. That was my aim for this season to be honest," she said, "especially as I'm playing a bit higher up the pitch."

"Manchester City are a very good side, but we've beaten them before and hopefully we go into it with the same mindset, that we can come out with a good result again.  

"The FA Cup is huge. I mean, the final is at Wembley, so what game is bigger than that? We're in the semi-finals of the Conti Cup, so if we can match or better that, that would be brilliant." 

Video

RIVALS WATCH

The fourth round proper of the Women's FA Cup sees the teams from the Women's Super League and the Women's Championship enter the competition, alongside the nine other match winners from the previous round. WSL leaders Arsenal are away to West Ham United, while Chelsea visit Charlton Athletic. Fellow top flight outfit Tottenham Hotspur are at home to Barnsley Women from the fourth tier.

SATURDAY 25 JANUARY

UNITED WOMEN v Manchester City Women (12:45 GMT)

SUNDAY 26 JANUARY

13:00 GMT kick-off

Bristol City Women v Durham Women
Burnley Women v Leicester City Women
Everton Women v London Bees
Huddersfield Town Ladies v Ipswich Town Ladies
Lewes Women v Billericay Town Ladies
Liverpool Women v Blackburn Ladies
Sheffield United Women v Birmingham City Women
Southampton Women v Coventry United Ladies
Sunderland Ladies v Watford Ladies
Tottenham Hotspur Women v Barnsley Women
West Ham United Women v Arsenal Women

14:00 GMT kick-off

Charlton Athletic Women v Chelsea Women
London City Lionesses v Reading Women
Southampton FC Women v Crystal Palace Women
 
15:00 GMT kick-off

Aston Villa Women v Brighton & Hove Albion
 
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