Scott: I loved derby day ‘stick’ | OneFootball

Former City midfielder Jill Scott says she relished the fierce nature of Manchester derbies which often translated from the field into the stands.

It comes ahead of the first meeting between Gareth Taylor’s side and Manchester United this term as we lock horns in the Barclays Women’s Super League at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday 19 January at 18:45 (UK).

During the ex-England international’s illustrious spell at the Club, which spanned between 2014 and 2022, she faced our cross-city rivals five times in all competitions across her 194 appearances in sky blue.

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This includes our memorable 1-0 win at the over 53,000-seater arena in the first WSL meeting between the teams in 2019, and when Scott netted in an eventful 3-2 away FA Cup triumph in 2020.

WATCH: WSL Derby Preview and Jill Scott's time at Man City

And the City great believes meetings with Manchester United are always mouth-watering prospects for both players and supporters.

“I remember Manchester United fans used to give us so much stick but I loved that, I absolutely loved it," she declared on our Matchday Live broadcast for Pep Guardiola’s side’s win over West Ham.

“My last memory [of a derby] was playing centre-half. As my career went on I ended up at centre-half, I don’t know how!

“But we got a good 2-2 result after we had a sending off against Manchester United, but I just loved those games, the rivalry and the fans absolutely love it.

“Those are the games you want to play football for.

“It’s a good rivalry, it really is. I know City have a few injuries at the minute, but they have a fantastic team and I think it’ll be a good, competitive game as always.”

City’s clash with Manchester United will represent our fifth-ever WSL outing at the Etihad Stadium, and second in 2024/25.

Taylor’s team possess a fantastic record at the home of the Blues – winning four and drawing one – with the latest success a strong 4-0 victory over Spurs in November.

Throughout our women’s team’s outings there, we have consistently been backed by vocal and committed support – including a Club-record 44,259 in attendance for our 1-1 draw with Marc Skinner’s side in 2022.

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And Scott says appearances at the Etihad are occasions to savour.

She added: “It was really special [to play at the Etihad]. Playing at the main stadiums is what [you’d want].

WATCH: Extended highlights | City 4-0 Tottenham Hotspur

“Stepping out onto the Etihad pitch, there was no excuse not to perform.

“Maybe when you’re on a pitch and it’s bumpy you could blame a bad touch on the pitch, but there’s no excuse when you get on these carpets. You can’t blame your bad touch on anything.

“Having the crowd, coming to the Etihad and almost filling it was an amazing feeling.”