had professional senior women's football teams in the same league for the first time with Manchester City having been in the division since 2014. The teams had not met in either domestic cup competition the season prior so the first derby between the sides was United's first ever WSL game. In response to the record viewing figures during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, it was announced on 8 July 2019 that the fixture will be played at the City of Manchester Stadium instead of the much smaller Academy Stadium the women's team usually plays at. The game set a new FA WSL attendance record of 31,213. HonoursTable correct as of 5 March 2022. Statistics All-time results League Cup Shared player history With no senior team at Manchester United following their disbandment in 2005 shortly after Malcolm Glazer's completed takeover, it was not uncommon for players coming up through Manchester United's academy to join one of United's North West rivals, including Manchester City. Northern Ireland international Lynda Shepherd and England international Izzy Christiansen are two such examples of Manchester United academy products that departed when United did not have a women's team and subsequently played professionally for Manchester City. With the establishment of a professional team in 2018, Ella Toone was the first player to make professional appearances for both clubs, having joined Manchester City from United in 2016 before returning for United's debut season. Fran Bentley was the other member of Manchester United's inaugural squad to join from City having also originally moved from United although she never made a senior appearance for City. In preparation for their first WSL campaign, Manchester United signed two former-City players with no previous affiliation to United: Abbie McManus joined directly from City while Jane Ross joined from West Ham United where she had spent the previous season following her departure from City. In September 2020, former United captain Alex Greenwood joined City following a one-year spell with French side Lyon, the first to join City after appearing for United. The following summer, Aoife Mannion joined United having been released by City after an injury-struck two-year spell. Players who have played for both clubs Notes References Bibliography Notes External links Manchester: A City United at FIFA.com Derby with more history than antipathy at independent.co.uk'' Manchester City F.C. Manchester United F.C. Football in Greater Manchester England football derbies 1881 establishments in England Recurring sporting