Match Preview: London City Lionesses V Manchester United

On Sunday, Manchester United is set to face newly promoted London City Lionesses in the Women’s Super League Game week 2. The game kicks off at 12:00 BST and is hosted by London City at the CopperJax Community Stadium. 

📸 via www.londoncitylionesses.com

Manchester United manager Marc Skinner is expecting a real battle in the upcoming clash. Speaking ahead of the game, he stressed the importance of consistency and resilience. Marc Skinner stated, “I don’t think this will be an easy game at all. I think it will be a difficult game but one, you might have to stick in, you might have to be consistent with it.” 

For Skinner, every fixture carries the same weight as a cup tie, with no room to take the foot off the gas. “We almost treat every game like a knockout football game because you have try and win it, so there’s no point were you can’t just say ‘lets try get a draw.’” 

For London City, they’ll be hungry to show they belong. Newly promoted sides always bring that unpredictable energy. They are full of fight, grit, and a point to prove. They might not have the same star power as United, but that just makes them dangerous in their own way. They’ll be looking to make a mark and cause a shock if the Reds aren’t careful. In their first WSL fixture, London City faced a formidable challenge against Arsenal at the Emirates. Despite taking an early lead through Kosovare Asllani's 17th-minute penalty, the Lionesses couldn't hold off the Gunners' attacking prowess.

Arsenal responded with a stunning long-range strike from debutant Olivia Smith, followed by goals from Chloe Kelly, Stina Blackstenius, and Frida Maanum, securing a 4-1 victory. The match showcased London's resilience and ambition, even in the face of a steep learning curve. 

Manchester United kicked off their 2025–26 WSL campaign with a commanding 4–0 victory over Leicester City at Leigh Sports Village. The Reds dominated from the start, with Ella Toone opening the scoring in the 13th minute. Melvine Malard added a brace in the second half, showcasing her clinical finishing. The team's performance was a statement of intent, highlighting their depth and attacking prowess as they aim to challenge for the title this season. 

United will go into this game as clear favourites, but Skinner’s warning about staying focused is a reminder that nothing comes easy in the WSL. London City may be new to the top flight, but they’ve already shown they can test even the strongest sides. Expect intensity, energy, and a United team determined to keep their winning momentum rolling, while the Lionesses will be desperate to make a statement in their debut season.