Five things we can take away from Manchester United women’s disappointing 3-0 defeat to rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Mark Skinner’s Manchester United were on the losing end of a devastating 3-0 scoreline to a powerful Manchester City side, who now move four points clear at the top of the Women’s Super League table.
Much like their fixture last season, Rebecca Knaak found the back of the net with a strong header as a corner swung towards the back post. Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw managed to head the ball back across the goal where Knaak directed her effort into the top left corner, leaving Safia Middleton Patel helpless.
Bunny Shaw found herself involved again, making it 2-0 in the first half with incredible movement and timing her run into the penalty area with perfection. Kerstin Casparij’s cross fell perfectly onto the reaching boot of Shaw who poked her effort past the young Patel in goal.
European Women’s Championship winner, Lauren Hemp, concluded the scoring with a superb effort in the added minutes of the first half as the ball fell to her on the edge of the 18-yard box with too much time as she blasted her effort into the top left corner, past a full-stretch Patel in goal.
The first half onslaught was enough to secure all three points for City as the game came to an end. There are many things for Skinner’s players to take away from the match, which can be carried into their next game in the Champions League against Wolfsburg.
#1 – Man Utd are too slow to the second ball
Instantly, United were trailing thanks to the clinical set-piece work of Manchester City, who perfectly utilised the powerful profile of Bunny Shaw to get on the end of a corner, sending the ball back into the box. United were unable to deal with the chaos as Knaak found herself free from her marker to redirect the ball past Patel.
Similarly, United found themselves overrun in the midfield as any attempt from either goalkeeper was met with a head, followed by a blue shirt.
The pure athleticism of the City players saw United chasing the ball far too often, creating gaps which were exploited and sealed the game off within the first 45 minutes.
#2 – Melvine Malard must start against Wolfsburg
There has been a lot of discussion over who United’s starting number nine should be, with both Melvine Malard and Elizabeth Terland having excellent starts to the season. However, today it was clear how much of a different side United were with Malard leading the line.
The Frenchwoman utilised her speed to run in behind on multiple occasions, allowing United to bypass City’s midfield by going long. Whilst it did not result in a goal on this occasion, the threat was clear.
We saw Malard use this in full effect in United’s opening goal at Old Trafford on Wednesday against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. Malard opened the scoring using her physicality brilliantly to hold off a defender chasing a long ball from Riviere before curling her effort beyond Mary Earps in goal.
#3 – Man Utd lack physicality
Going into the game, there was no doubt that Man City would try to physically outperform United with the strong profiles of Bunny Shaw and Vivienne Miedema, whose tall frames managed to hold off challenges throughout the tie.
United’s midfield consisted of Hinata Miazawa, Ella Toone and summer signing, Julia Zigotti Olme, who all lacked the strength to hold off the Man City attackers. This raises questions over whether other profiles may be more suited to the starting midfield, such as Lisa Naalsund, Simi Awujo and Fridolina Rolfo, who are more physically stronger profiles.
Alternatively, United could have looked to increase the power of their defence with the likes of Gabby George, who proved her ability midweek against PSG in place of the suspended Dominique Janssen, who found herself on a yellow card only 22 minutes into the game.
#4 – Safia Middleton Patel needs time
The 21-year-old goalkeeper has certainly been thrown into the deep end in her Manchester United career in the absence of last season’s Golden Glove-winning goalkeeper, Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
Whilst Patel played superbly against PSG, this game against City may have proven to be too much right now. Playing away from home against such a strong side led to some shaky moments, particularly in the second half, where United were defensively sloppy and almost gave chances to City through nervous playing out from the back.
Nonetheless, Patel deserves time and is capable of performing to the highest standard for United. Having recently played in the Euros for her home nation, Wales, the goalkeeper can be sure that her role in this United side is crucial both on and off the pitch.
#5 – United are struggling to balance all competitions
Whilst the win against PSG was a monumental point in the history of the club, the game against PSG has proven that United may not quite have the quality of squad depth required to deliver consistently in both the WSL and the Champions League.
This result at the Etihad makes it two league losses in a row, with United failing to score in either of their last two league games. This allows both Arsenal and Tottenham to overtake United and claim the 3rd Champions League slot in the WSL table.
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The two North London sides play against each other on Sunday, with both sides desperate to leapfrog United. Mark Skinner’s side needs to learn from their mistakes today to regain the form that we know they are capable of achieving, unlocking the best out of Jess Park and Ella Toone to get back to creating chances again.
Fans should remain optimistic as the ability to achieve greatness is certainly there for United, as proven by their 100% win record in the Champions League so far.
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