The stage was set in Manchester as Manchester United geared up to host Bristol City at Leigh Sport Village. 

With Bristol City sitting at the bottom of the league, they were on the hunt for crucial points against Marc Skinner’s Manchester United side. Lauren Smith made three changes from her side’s 7-3 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion. The most notable arrives in a change of goalkeeper, as Olivia Clark is replaced by Shae Yanez. 

Marc Skinner also made three changes to his starting eleven from Manchester United’s last Women’s Super League game, as Jayde Riviere, Lucia Garcia and Lisa Naalsund finding themselves in the starting line up. Captain Katie Zelem also starts in what is her 150th appearance for the Red Devils.

MUN: Earps, Le Tissier, Blundell, Toone, Malard, Zelem, Riviere, Naalsund, Garcia, Turner, Parris

BRI: Yanez, Powell, Struck, Aspin, Connolly, Rogers, Hayles, Napier, Syme, Thestrup, Morgan

Bristol City tried to test Manchester United inside of the opening minutes, as Jamie-Lee Napier sent a low cross into the box. Despite her best efforts, the searching ball was easily controlled by the Manchester United defence.

Manchester United asserted early dominance over Bristol City, applying pressure to the Bristol City back line. Maya Le Tissier sent a ball through to Lucia Garcia on the right wing, however the Red Devils failed to complete the attacking move.

Winning the ball again, Jayde Riviere was awarded a free kick outside the box, as captain Katie Zelem stepped up to the spot in her 150th appearance for the club. Though Zelem failed to test the Robins keeper, sending the ball straight into Shae Yanez’s hands.

Manchester United remained consistent in their press, causing frustration amongst the Bristol City last line. With United determined to score, they were able to break the deadlock in the ninth minute of play.

Lisa Naalsund opened the scoring for Manchester United, as she picked posession from a layoff from Lucía García inside the field’s central areas. Naalsund carried the ball towards the box, before slotting the ball home in to the bottom right corner.

Quick to try and counter, Bristol City were able to create a chance of their own. Shania Hayles picked up a run from Ffion Morgan, who was left in a one-on-one encounter with Mary Earps. However, Millie Turner appeared to end Bristol’s hopes of scoring with a solid challenge.

Building on this momentum, Bristol City won a free kick with the set piece that resulted in a corner. However the Red Devils did not waver in defence, denying Bristol City a chance to level the score. In final attempts to recycle their chance of scoring, Ffion Morgan broke down the right channel, sending a perfectly timed cross into the box, which was once again denied of entry by Manchester United.

Moving into the twenty-five minute mark, Manchester United saw a chance to increase their lead. Jayde Riviere sent a dangerous cross into the Bristol City box from the right wing towards the head of Melvine Malarad, however Bristol City goalkeeper Shae Yanez intercepted, catching the cross with ease.

A final corner for Bristol City in the first half saw Brooke Aspin meet the ball with her head, sending it over the bar with little test for goalkeeper Mary Earps. With little chances for either side in the added minutes, Manchester United ended the second half with a 1-0 lead.

The Red Devils opened the second half of proceedings with an early chance to increase their lead. Playing around the Bristol City defence on the right wing, Naalsund received the ball in the box. Toone searched to bury the ball into the bottom right corner, however a deflection saw her strike diverted.

The Robins remained determined to find an equaliser as Ella Powell sent a ball down the channel to an advancing Morgan. Morgan worked well to evade Hannah Blundell, sending a driving cross inside of the 18-yard box. Her ball into the danger zone was narrowly deflected, then back healed by Amalie Thestrup, before landing at the feet of Hayles within golden range. Failing to convert, Hayles’s strike was denied by the goalpost.

With Shania Hayles injured in her attempts to score, she was replaced by substitute Mari Ward. Manchester United made changes of their own, with forward Melvine Malard replaced by Geyse Ferreira.

As Bristol City were becoming subject to a strong high press by Manchester United, they made two changes to their line up. Sarah Stratigakis replaced Sille Struck who had to leave the pitch due to injury. Abi Harrison was also introduced into the match, replacing Ella Powell.

Bristol City once again created an attack, with Jamie-Lee Napier carrying the ball across the Manchester United defensive line and she threaded the ball through to Abi Harrison, who won Bristol City a corner.

With Bristol City unable to convert two corners, Manchester United broke towards goal with Maya Le Tissier winning a deflected ball. She carried the ball from midfield into the box, sending a back heel pass to Ella Toone who was unable to read the pass, continuing Manchester United’s search for a second goal.

Lucia Garcia tested Shae Yanez, forcing her into a dive, through a shot sent just wide of the top right hand corner.

Manchester United looked to make changes to their attacking lineup, with Rachel Williams coming on to replace Nikita Parris.

Bristol City found themselves down to ten players in the 80th minute, with Jamie-Lee Napier receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Geyse. Now outnumbered by Manchester United, Bristol City sat in a low block to protect the scoresheet from any further damage.

With less than two minutes left till full-time, Bristol City made one final change with Lisa Evans replacing Ffion Morgan.

Eight added minutes continued Manchester United’s hunt for a second goal. A corner delivered by Katie Zelem in the 94th minute found the feet of Lisa Naalsund who tapped the ball into the net.

The score finished at 2-0 at Leigh Sports Village, as Manchester United regain league form to hold their fifth place position on the Barclays Women’s Super League table. The defeat in the North sees Bristol City’s drop zone maintenance worsen, as the Robins fail to add to their struggling tally.