Sell-out Man City vs Man United WSL derby is step forward for Manchester says Gareth Taylor

11.02.2022 - 20:43 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

History will be made in Manchester football this weekend, as the first sell-out Women's Super League derby takes place at the Academy Stadium.

Since United Women reformed in 2018, six of the eight meetings have been held at Leigh Sports Village, where the Reds play their home games. Of the two games City have hosted, the first came at the Etihad in 2019 in front of a then-WSL record 31,213, and last year's home game was behind closed doors.

So incredibly, Sunday's meeting at the City Football Academy will be City's first 'proper' home game against United with supporters, and fans have responded by snapping up all tickets available with three days to spare.

That could see a stadium record attendance, with the ground across the road from the Etihad holding 7,000 fans, and City boss Taylor says Sunday will be a big day for women's football in Manchester.

"I'm excited, looking forward to it," he said.

"It’s a sell-out, sold out three days before the game which is fantastic for the City that the game is drawing in spectators. It’s exciting and one we’re looking forward to.

"We’ve been away for too long. We missed it [having supporters in the stands] when we didn’t have it last season. It's no secret that football isn’t anything without supporters. It’s so much more different now supporters are back, it was strange at first when we were reintroduced.

"The fact it’s sold out, supporters from both teams, it’s a great advert for the women’s game and we’re moving in the right direction. Long may it continue."

With United in third place in the WSL, five points ahead of City, the Blues know their Champions League hopes could be over if they don't beat their rivals. Taylor wouldn't rule a top-three finish out entirely, but did