Brave Man United W draw with Man City W to seal UCL spot

Manchester United Women were held to a 2-2 draw by rivals Manchester City in the Women’s Super League on Sunday afternoon at Old Trafford.

City were forced to make a substitution in the 10th minute. Defender Leila Ouahabi had to come off due to an injury and was replaced by Rebecca Knaak.

Two minutes later, forward Elisabeth Terland put the ball into the net for United, but a foul was spotted during the build-up, leading to the goal being disallowed.

Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce made a brilliant save to deny Kerolin from giving City the lead in the 15th minute.

United also made a substitute before the half-hour mark as defender Jayde Riviere could not continue due to an injury, allowing Aoife Mannion to come on.

Kerstin Casparij nearly got the opener for the Cityzens, unleashing a shot from the edge of the box, which looked goalbound but drifted wide.

Midfielder Laia Aleixandri gave Man City the lead in the 38th minute, curling into the bottom corner after receiving a cutback from Lauren Hemp.

Four minutes later, Knaak doubled the visitors’ advantage, producing a great header from Yui Hasegawa’s corner.

Clinton reduced the deficit in the 45th minute, heading the ball into the net, following Mannion’s pass to the back post.

The two teams did not create much in the opening minutes of the second half before United scored in the 68th minute. Terland nodded the ball down for substitute Melvine Malard to score.

A minute later, United were reduced to 10 players as Mannion was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Late into the game, Kerolin’s right-footed effort drifted wide before Galton made a brilliant block to preserve the scoreline.

The result seals United’s qualification for the Women’s Champions League ahead of their final game at Arsenal next weekend.

Article written by Henry Thornton .