RANKED: The best Manchester derbies in WSL history | OneFootball

The Women's Super League (WSL) will be treated to the first Manchester derby of the 2024/25 season this Sunday as City host United at Etihad Stadium.

History precedes the competitive reputation of this derby, and Sunday is certain to be no exception to the rule. As Gareth Taylor's Cityzens prepare to enter the battle without star forwards Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw and Lauren Hemp, Marc Skinner's Red Devils will be eager to capitalise on the vulnerabilities of their wounded rivals.

Just two points separates the two Mancunian sides in the WSL league standings, and a victory for United will see them leapfrog their rivals in the WSL. Skinner's squad will be eager to add a strike to their derby tally, having only reigned victorious once in nine league meetings.

90min takes a look at the best Manchester derbies of the WSL ahead of Sunday's epic showdown...

5. Man City 1-0 Man Utd, September 2019

Although this encounter didn't bring in a plethora of goals, it marked a historic moment in the WSL. Since United's inception in 2018, this fixture was the first top-flight derby between the two sides.It was Caroline Weir who broke the deadlock for City with a wonder-strike. The Puskas-nominated goal rattled the back of the net from a far distance, bringing derby day delight to the blue side of Manchester.

4. Man Utd 2-2 Man City, November 2020

Lockdown football at it's finest, this fixture was a see-saw of events. Some of the world's greatest stars featured on the bitter November afternoon, including the likes of Tobin Heath, Sam Mewis, Lucy Bronze and Georgia Stanway. The Cityzens took an early lead into half time, thanks to early goals from Chloe Kelly and Laura Coombs. It was USWNT legend Heath who struck first for the Red Devils, as the midfielder sent a belting strike into the top of the net from distance. United managed to clinch a point in the 74th minute, as Kirsty Hanson capitalised on a scuffle inside of the area to bring the final score to 2-2.

3. Man Utd 2-2 Man City, October 2021

Another 2-2 draw makes the shortlist at Leigh Sports Village makes the shortlist in what was an extremely heated derby-day encounter.Georgia Stanway saw red in the 35th minute, after what was a poorly timed challenge on Leah Galton. The Cityzens managed to grind out a goal despite being down to 10 players, as Bunny Shaw headed home a well-weighted cross from Demi Stokes.Another goal from close range allowed the Red Devils to bring the scores level thanks to a tap-in from Lucy Staniforth, just moments before Alessia Russo clinched the lead just three minutes later. A brilliant finish from Russo elicited a roar from the home fans, but the rapture did not last for long.Just four minutes later, City launched forward on the counterattack and forced a top-shelf save from Mary Earps. Despite her best efforts, Ellen White was there to steal the glory as she rattled home the scraps to draw the sides at 2-2.

2. Man Utd 1-3 Man City, November 2023

The Theatre of Dreams hosted a four-goal thriller in the closing stages of 2024, as City claimed the Manchester bragging rights once again.Katie Zelem would write her name on the scoresheet first, afterAlex Greenwood's handball awarded United with a penalty. The former captain slotted home the opener despite a good effort from Khiara Keating to get a palm on the strike. Jill Roord slotted home the equaliser into the bottom-left corner soon after, and from there, City drove it home. A beautiful finish from Lauren Hemp saw her rattle the top corner, before Shaw sealed the deal by capitalising on a Mary Earps blunder in the closing stages. Rivalry, atmosphere, world-class finishes- this game had it all.

1. Man Utd 2-1 Man City, May 2023

The penultimate weekend of the 2022/23 season brought high stakes for both sides of Manchester. United were eager to continue their chase to win the league, whilst the Cityzens were chasing third-place and a UEFA Women's Champions League place.An early opener from Hayley Ladd had Red Devils fans in rapture, before Filippa Angeldal brought terms level in the 68th minute.A dramatic finish wrote itself into the history books, as Hannah Blundell flew a cross into the area. Headered down by Vilde Boe Risa, Lucia Garcia picked up the scraps and fired home the winner to paint Manchester red in the 91st minute. The winner kept United in the title race until the final day, and meant City would ultimately fall short of European qualification.