Manchester United fought back from two goals down and Melvine Malard scored the crucial equaliser in a draw with Manchester City that confirmed their place in Europe next season at the expense of their local rivals.
In front of more than 38,000 fans at Old Trafford, Marc Skinner’s side were made to work hard for their place in next year’s Champions League, with goals from Laia Aleixandri and Rebecca Knaak having given City a two-goal lead. United could feel aggrieved though, having had a goal from Elisabeth Terland ruled out prior to City’s double, with the decision, the forward adjudged to have pushed Aleixandri, looking extremely harsh.
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This was unfamiliar territory for United, the home team had only conceded three goals in their 10 home games prior to the visit of Nick Cushing’s side – who welcomed back England duo Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood to the starting XI for the first time since their respective knee injuries.
The response was instant, United defender Aoife Mannion’s ball towards the back post turned in by the head of Grace Clinton to reduce the deficit before the end of the half.
The much-needed equaliser, to prevent the final European berth being decided on the final day of the season, when Arsenal host United and City play relegated Crystal Palace, arrived in the 68th minute – Terland nodded the ball down to Malard and the French forward raced clear and slotted coolly past the onrushing Khiara Keating.
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Skinner’s side were dealt a blow soon after, when Mannion exited the pitch after receiving a second yellow for a foul on Brazilian forward Kerolin. A furious Ella Toone was withdrawn in place of Dominique Janssen as United looked to hold on to the point they needed to confirm a top-three finish.
City pushed for a winner as they attempted to salvage the last remaining “prize” from their hugely disappointing season but United clung on to give themselves a boost before they meet Arsenal in their final WSL game and face Chelsea in a third successive FA Cup final appearance.
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