Man Utd comeback against Man City seals Europe spot

Manchester United secured their place in next season's Women's Champions League after coming from behind to draw with rivals Manchester City in a thrilling showdown at Old Trafford.

Marc Skinner's side needed just a point to secure their spot in Europe and Melvine Malard delivered the crucial equalising goal after coming off the bench.

United were 2-0 down after conceding goals from Laia Aleixandri and Rebecca Knaak in the first half but responded through Grace Clinton and Malard.

France forward Malard, who scored five minutes after she was introduced in the second half, lapped up the adulation from home fans in the Stretford End as she ran off to celebrate, waving her arms in the air.

It was a chaotic few minutes as fellow substitute Aoife Mannion - brought on for the injured Jayde Riviere in the first half - was sent off for a second booking, leaving United to finish the game with 10 players.

But they held on to inflict a crushing blow to rivals City, who had to win at Old Trafford and hope United dropped points in their final game to stand a chance of qualifying for the Champions League themselves.

Nick Cushing's side put up a fight, boosted by the return of England internationals Alex Greenwood and Lauren Hemp, who started their first games since undergoing knee surgeries - but it was not enough.

It is just the second time United have secured a Champions League spot, though they failed to progress from the qualifying rounds in 2023 so will look to go one better in the competition next season.

City's campaign has been one to forget and this rubs salt into the wounds of a season without a trophy. They face a rebuild this summer.

Melvine Malard scored five minutes after coming on as a substitute

United building for bigger things

Malard's equaliser felt like a stoppage-time winner as the stands erupted into celebration, aware of the significance a point would provide.

But knowing that was all they needed before the game kicked off, United were scrappy in the first half and took time to settle into the match.

They still caused problems though, with Elisabeth Terland's disallowed goal shaking City's defence, but it only seemed to spark a response from the visitors.

Moments later Greenwood curled in a cross for Kerolin, but her first-time effort was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce who dived low to her left.

From then on, it was City who played the better football, coming close through Knaak and Kerstin Casparij before Aleixandri eventually broke the deadlock.

Kerolin was a constant threat and had rolled away from defender Millie Turner in the build-up to the opener, later firing an effort inches wide.

Eventually, Knaak's header put City 2-0 up and gave them a strong lead. It did not flatter them but United were given a lifeline when Clinton got in front of Casparij to halve the deficit two minutes and 27 seconds later with another powerful header.

That meant United ended the first half with momentum on their side and they lifted their level in the second half, putting pressure on City and searching for the crucial equaliser.

When Malard delivered, United were primed to push on but had to defend nervously for over 20 minutes after Mannion's sending off sent them down to 10 players.

The crowd whistled and cheered as each sliding challenge came in, and roared on their players as they attempted to slow the game down and spoil City's rhythm.

They did so impressively, as City attempted everything, even sending up goalkeeper Khiara Keating and bringing on midfielder Jill Roord to play as a number nine.

Cushing's interim spell has been a difficult one with injuries impacting their ability to compete - but ultimately it has been a poor season which they must improve on next year.

Meanwhile, United are looking ahead to bigger and better things and are planning for a significant summer of recruitment to build their squad depth for a European challenge.

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