🔗 Share this article The Citizens 3-0 Manchester United: Hemp on target in Manchester City dominant win. Just as bad weather hit the northern region the night before, City swept Manchester United away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a convincing 3-0 triumph for Andrée Jeglertz’s side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that firmly established their title credentials as they strengthened their standing at the WSL pinnacle. Consecutive Setbacks for Manchester United This scoreline signalled back-to-back WSL setbacks for Marc Skinner’s side for the first time since May 2024, leaving them a significant margin off the league leaders with their trophy ambitions in serious doubt. The Red Devils' capability to manage domestic and continental football with a limited squad has been a hotly discussed subject since they earned a place in the European competition. Looking at the schedule, it always appeared this was the period that would seriously challenge this capability. Unfortunately for the opposition, they seemed fatigued throughout, the historic win against the French side clearly having taken a toll. Team Changes Marc Skinner had sought to make changes with a several adjustments. Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all brought energy, although the dropping of the in-form Melvine Malard to the sidelines was questioned. Manchester City, in comparison, have no such loading issues. The City coach made one adjustment from the previous win over the Toffees with Hemp making her initial starting appearance since returning from a physical setback. Commanding Opening Period The pressure started to gather for the United boss and his side from the first whistle. This was a exhibition of the power from Manchester City whose energetic forward line played with and pulled the visitors apart with a sublime first half display that saw them net a trio in 21 minutes. This placed City firmly in control and left United all at sea. In advance of this encounter, the away side had allowed just six in this WSL season but they disintegrated in the wake of the hosts' attacking flair. Opening Threats The early indicators came soon when Miedema used her strength to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot past the post. Hemp was at the heart of everything in the beginning, taking advantage of the gap left by Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her crosses were posing a threat and led to an attempt for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg cleared off the line. The Red Devils had a number of forays forwards, their direct style giving them alternatives in the wide areas but they could not test Yamashita. Manchester City, in the meantime, dominated the ball, probing their rivals and trying to lure them of their structure. Triple Strike They made their pressure count with almost thirty minutes played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a corner. A ball to the far post was directed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to head in. It was City’s seventh header of the term. They added to their cushion with an additional two goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was able to advance through the midfield from the back, the field became spacious for City. The prominent Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the right before providing a pinpoint ground pass for Bunny Shaw to force home. Shortly later, they had a third after a swift turnover in the ball saw Hemp afforded the room to strike a attempt home from distance. After the Break The clearest change came from Skinner at the interval as Malard entered for Terland but by this time it was too late to alter the outcome of the game. Ex- Manchester City player Park came nearest, hitting the post, but the away team were lacking in ideas and were unable to produce a one shot on goal. The hosts, in contrast, could have added to their lead when a superb Vivianne Miedema through ball sent Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it was insignificant to the hosts. Previously unable to overcome any team who ended above them the previous campaign, the manager's side now have victories against the Gunners and United to position them in a strong position after the opening fixtures.