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United Women Review | city away

city 3 - 0 United

We fell to defeat in the WSL, beaten in a game decided by late first-half goals.

Author | Lee Francis

View from K Stand | city away | United Women defending

Rebecca Knaak’s header put city in front midway through the first half, a frustrating blow given United had kept things relatively tight up to that point. What followed before the interval was a gut punch. Two goals in six chaotic minutes, from Khadija Shaw and Lauren Hemp, left us staring at a mountain to climb just as the whistle approached.

With Phallon Tullis Joyce still out after last weekend’s knock, Safia Middleton Patel kept her spot between the posts following her midweek heroics. Dominique Janssen returned from her European suspension to partner Maya Le Tissier at the back, while Marc Skinner refreshed the side with starts for Elisabeth Terland and Leah Galton.

The second half began with another scare 

Ella Toone went down awkwardly and needed treatment. Hearts were in mouths, but she eventually got back to her feet and, to everyone’s relief, was able to play on.

Despite the scoreline, United didn’t fold. Malard came on at the break and immediately gave city problems with her sharp movement and direct running. Blundell and Rolfo followed on the hour to keep the pressure building. United saw far more of the ball, and city barely threatened until the 70th minute, when Shaw lashed over from distance.

At the other end, Jess Park went close after some neat work from Malard, firing into the side netting from a tight angle. Shaw later broke through on goal, but a superb recovery from Sandberg forced her wide and allowed Middleton Patel to stand tall and make the save. The keeper also dealt calmly with a late long-range effort from Hasegawa.

Simi Awujo had a chance to grab a consolation deep into stoppage time but suffered a nasty clash of heads with Rose as the defender cleared off the line. Having only just entered the pitch, she was unable to continue.

It wasn’t our day, but there’s no time to dwell. The Reds are straight back into action with another big European night on the horizon, travelling to Wolfsburg on Wednesday as the Champions League campaign rolls on.

United boss discusses challenge of extra games

The big test for United, especially with this match landing less than 72 hours after that unforgettable Champions League win over Paris Saint Germain at Old Trafford, is adapting to life against top level opposition every few days. It is the kind of schedule the club has long aimed for, but the reality of managing it is already showing.

Malard added a spark when she came on in the second half, giving United fresh legs and more bite in the final third, and the manager turned to all five of his available substitutions to keep the side ticking over.

Marc Skinner said the following in post-match press conference. "We put [Mel] on and it changes a little bit. But the reality is, we have to rotate more now because this is a two game, two day turnaround. I had to protect the players in that moment. After the PSG game, after the girls get back late [on Wednesday], they have the day off [on Thursday] and we have to walk through training [on Friday] because not everybody's able to even run. So, it's just these little factors that we're getting used to, you know, being the Champions League. I'm not going to moan about that. We've got to take that challenge on."

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Location: Etihad Stadium, Etihad Campus, Manchester M11 3FF, UK

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