Vivianne Miedema’s double helped Manchester City edge closer to the Women’s Super League title with a comfortable derby win over neighbours United.
Andree Jeglertz’s side need just two more victories to confirm their first league title in a decade and their fans left Old Trafford in a party mood.
Netherlands international Miedema went off to a standing ovation in the second half with her side 3-0 up after she had scored twice in as many first-half minutes.
It was another impressive display by the champions-elect as they capitalised on a ruthless start with Miedema’s headers.
City were in complete control when Kerstin Casparij dealt another blow to United, following up at the back post to score their third goal within 49 minutes.
It was the second time this week United had suffered defeat at Old Trafford, having lost 3-2 to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday.
But this was even worse as City toyed with United, showing them up in their own backyard, and it was barely a contest.
Marc Skinner’s side face a battle to remain in the top three – securing European football next season – and could drop to fourth before the weekend is over.
They sit 11 points behind City, and dropped to third after Arsenal beat Tottenham 5-2 later on Saturday. Chelsea will overtake them by beating Aston Villa on Sunday.
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The derby could not have come at a worse time for Manchester United – sandwiched between two Champions League quarter-final matches against Bayern Munich.
Skinner’s squad is running on empty as a gruelling schedule catches up with them and they had just two senior outfield players on the bench.
City showed no mercy, hammering United’s goal in the opening 45 minutes and trotting down the tunnel at half-time with a comfortable two-goal lead.
Striker Melvine Malard had only touched the ball twice – and the only positive for United was that they were not trailing by more.
The lack of squad depth was evident but it does not fully explain the gulf between the two sides. United failed to lay a glove on City and were poorly organised at the back.
Captain Maya Le Tissier had a difficult afternoon with WSL top scorer Khadija Shaw running riot and Miedema ghosting into space inside the box.
United’s midfield was easily overrun and when the hosts did have opportunity to advance, they looked hesitant and unwilling to take risks.
Even the United fans had little to offer as Old Trafford was eerily quiet for large spells – only the euphoric chanting from the away corner drifting across the chilly stadium.
There was an improvement in the second half but the game was gone and City’s foot was off the gas.
For United, it was another derby day to forget – they have won only two of their 13 WSL meetings with Manchester City and are yet to win any at Old Trafford.
“Honestly, I think it was an accumulation of the amount of games [we’ve played]. They are playing one game a week,” manager Skinner told BBC Radio 5 Live afterwards.
“Fair play to them, they took the game. We make split-second decisions that go against us. That’s the reality.
“It’s not that the players don’t give everything. It’s just in this moment, they are making tired decisions, and when you’re playing against high-level opponents, they make the difference.”
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Vivianne Miedema has scored 97 goals during her WSL career
