A record 45,185 tickets have been snapped up by fans as Manchester United Women take on Man City in the Women’s Super League (WSL) at Old Trafford this weekend.
With tickets still being sold, Sunday’s game has a chance of setting a new attendance record for a WSL Manchester derby, depending on how many fans come through the turnstiles on the day. The current record is 44,259, set at the Etihad last season.
This weekend’s derby will be the fifth WSL game played by Manchester United Women at Old Trafford and looks certain to surpass the previous record home attendance of 30,196 for the visit of Aston Villa in 2022.
Earlier this week Manchester United Women Head Coach, Marc Skinner commented on how his team can thrive during these big fixtures and perform in front of big crowds:
“Our players are used to big occasions, and they thrive in those environments. The bigger we make these moments, the more the players grow.
“The women’s game has continued to develop, and fans are attending games to witness competitive performances from their favourite players. The game is growing with more reasons than ever to come and watch women’s football and we can’t wait to play in front of our biggest home crowd.”
The match offers fans the chance to see one of the biggest derbies in women’s football played in one of the world’s most famous stadiums, with United hoping for the same outcome as last season’s dramatic 2-1 win over City at Leigh Sports Village.
Skinner impressed by Katie Zelem ahead of derby
Club captain Zelem will lead her team out for the fifth time at the Theatre of Dreams and it comes as no surprise that Skinner was full of praise when asked about his player ahead of the Manchester derby.
“She bleeds Manchester United, quite literally,” Skinner told reporters.
He role as captain has come under scrutiny in the past, but that doesn’t change the fact Zelem is one of Skinner’s most reliable players.
“I think that’s the key, when people sometimes knock her, actually she’s always there, she always stands up, she puts her body on the line.”
Speaking to club media, Zelem said: “Representing United as a childhood fan is a dream come true but to play at Old Trafford, to captain the girls and score there is just an indescribable feeling.”
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