Holders Manchester United reached a third successive FA Cup final with an impressive victory over rivals Manchester City at Joie Stadium.

Defeat is a crushing blow to City, whose hopes of winning silverware this season have now ended after a disappointing campaign.

United, who won the competition for the first time last season, were 2-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Celin Bizet and Grace Clinton.

City were without several big-name players through injury and struggled to find a way back into the game despite efforts from Brazil forward Kerolin.

United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce made an exceptional double-save to push Yui Hasegawa's free-kick onto the crossbar and kept out Lily Murphy's headed rebound in the second half, which was City's best chance.

However, United also came close to extending their lead with Ella Toone and Bizet denied by goalkeeper Khiara Keating on several occasions.

City's depleted squad fought back in a more even second half but United's defence - who have the best record in the Women's Super League this season - stood strong and helped carry them to victory.

It is a remarkable achievement for United as they face a third successive trip to Wembley to contest for the FA Cup trophy, while they remain on course to secure a Champions League qualification spot for next season.

They meet WSL runaway leaders Chelsea in the final on 18 May - a repeat of the 2023 final which the Blues won 1-0.

"To do it and get back to a final is no mean feat. I'm really pleased and especially with the performance because I thought we were incredible," said manager Marc Skinner.

"It will always be caveated with City's injuries but we have to play the team ahead of us. I thought we dominated and it should have been more.

"There was a moment in the game at the Etihad [earlier this season] where we let them back into it - but there was none of that today. It was pure control."

Having already fallen behind in the race to secure a top-three spot in the league, City's hopes for silverware and a positive end to the campaign were resting purely on success in the FA Cup.

But with more key players ruled out through injury during the international break – Vivianne Miedema and Jill Roord both picked up issues with the Netherlands – it was always going to be tough.

Interim manager Nick Cushing's side were put under pressure immediately by United as the visitors pressed intensely and tested City's defence with direct balls over the top.

Jayde Riviere constantly found Bizet down the right-hand side and England international Toone dominated midfield.

It was Toone's searching ball in behind that picked out Bizet early on and she coolly curled it into the far corner past goalkeeper Keating.

City had barely settled before Clinton made it 2-0 when she was allowed to move through the box completely unmarked to head Gabby George's corner in.

There was a response from City but only after striker Mary Fowler was forced off with a knee injury and Cushing had to move players out of position to accommodate with an already-thin bench.

Kerolin stepped up to the plate, causing havoc for United's defence, but could not beat Tullis-Joyce with an acrobatic volley and had other efforts blocked by centre-backs Maya le Tissier and Millie Turner.

At the other end, City goalkeeper Keating was kept busy as Toone and Bizet came close to extending United's lead.

The depleted squad left few options for Cushing off the bench and even though United took their foot off the gas a little in the second half, City did not have enough to fight their way back into it.

"My message this week will be to go and perform for our fans. We need to strip it back to basics," said City interim boss Cushing.

"We have to show more desire. This team is a winning team and we have to make sure every person and process is focused around the direction of winning.

"At the moment, we're in a position we shouldn't be in."

While City's summer is set for a rebuild – they must reflect on a poor campaign, find a way to close the gap on title rivals Chelsea and recruit a permanent manager – United's could end in trophy success.

England midfielder Clinton spent last season on loan at Tottenham and had to miss the final, in which they lost to her parent club United, but she now has a chance to play in the showpiece, alongside best friend and team-mate Bizet, who was also in the Spurs squad last year.

It was fitting their names were on the scoresheet at Joie Stadium.