Man Utd Women qualify for UEFA Champions League with derby comeback

Manchester United Women have sealed a place in next season's UEFA Champions League after coming from two goals down to draw 2-2 with rivals Manchester City Women at Old Trafford.

Visitors City raced into a 2-0 lead through goals from Laia Aleixandri and Rebecca Knaak before the Red Devils rallied to level the match at 2-2 with Grace Clinton and Melvine Malard on the scoresheet.

This point for Man Utd means Marc Skinner's side will compete in the Women's UEFA Champions League for just the second time ever.

With only three Women's Super League teams qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, Man Utd's fightback proved a hammer blow for City who are currently placed fourth.

City travelled to Old Trafford knowing only a win would keep them in the race to qualify for the premier European club competition next term, and the Citizens must have thought they had the three points in the bag when they took a two-goal lead.

Man Utd return to the Women's UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2023, when they were eliminated in the qualifying rounds by Paris Saint-Germain.

Marc Skinner's charges will therefore be desperate to make a bigger impact on the European stage next season with the club now in a stronger position to recruit new players of the highest calibre in the summer.

Man City have stronger European pedigree than their rivals having twice reached the semi-finals of the Women's UEFA Champions League in 2016 and 2018, losing against Lyon on both occasions.

The Citizens will not partake in European competition next season, however, with the club facing a summer rebuild.

Man Utd will be joined in the Women's UEFA Champions League next season by WSL champions Chelsea and Renee Slegers' Arsenal.

James Wilson

• Women's Football
• Women's Super League
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