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It is Manchester derby week in the Continental Tyres League Cup, as United get set for an important trip to City, also within the context of the competition.
Marc Skinner’s Reds will make the journey across town to face the Blues on Wednesday (19:00 GMT kick-off), as part of the final round of group-stage games.
No extra motivation is usually needed for this fixture, but both teams will walk out of the tunnel in midweek knowing that a win in 90 minutes will be enough for automatic qualification to the knockout stages.
Scroll down for more on the Group B permutations, plus TV and ticket info, the latest team news and a guide to the opposition in our match preview.
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90 in 20: Chelsea v United Women
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HOW TO FOLLOW
Supporters residing in the UK and Ireland can watch the encounter live on ManUtd.com, MUTV and in the United App, with coverage beginning at 18:55 GMT.
The fixture will be streamed globally on The FA Player, while you will also be able to find matchday coverage, interviews, updates and more across our official platforms.
TICKET AND TRAVEL INFO
We received an allocation of 398 tickets for the encounter at the Joie Stadium, with a limited number still available here.
You can also purchase coach travel from Old Trafford by visiting this link.
WHAT’S AT STAKEThis derby has extra significance, as mentioned above, with both teams in contention to qualify for the knockout stages of the Conti Cup.
United currently top Group B with nine points and a 100-per-cent record after three matches and know that a win or a draw (regardless of the outcome on penalties) will see us finish at the summit and automatically advance to the last eight. City, two points behind, are also aware that a victory in 90 minutes will secure them qualification.
Defeat for the Reds will not necessarily mean elimination, as the two second-placed teams with the most points-per-game across the competition will also move on to the quarter-finals. United cannot finish outside the top-two positions in our group, as we are four points ahead of third-placed Leicester, before their remaining tie against Everton.
Tottenham (Group D) and Sunderland (Group A) currently occupy the best runners-up spots, on seven points from three games (2.33 PPG), ahead of their group finales this midweek.
TEAM NEWS
Marc Skinner may provide a further update on United’s recent absentees when he holds his pre-match press conference later today (Tuesday).
Forward Melvine Malard missed Sunday’s trip to Chelsea as a precaution, after picking up a niggle in training on Friday. Aoife Mannion is working her way back from a prolonged injury spell, while fellow defender Evie Rabjohn has been sidelined since making her club debut in November’s 7-0 win over Everton.
Gabby George, Hinata Miyazawa, Jess Simpson and Emma Watson are long-term absentees for the Reds.
For City, defender Kerstin Casparij and winger Lauren Hemp were both forced off with injuries in City’s 5-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday, although head coach Gareth Taylor suggested afterwards there was not much cause for concern regarding either.
“She’s absolutely fine,” he said of Hemp, who collided with Liverpool goalkeeper Teagan Micah. “It didn’t look great, but she was fine and wanted to go back and play some more but I didn’t want to take the risk.” On Casparij, who took a knock in an earlier challenge, he added: “[She] is okay, she might be a sore one for a couple of days, but there’s no structural damage. It’s just a bit of a gash and some swelling.”
Australia international Alanna Kennedy could make a comeback after missing both of the Blues’ games since the season restart. Before Liverpool’s visit, Taylor said the defender was “really close” to returning, although she was not involved in the squad at the weekend.
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THE OPPOSITION
Since the winter break, City have picked up two wins from two, defeating Durham in the fourth round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, before Sunday’s high-scoring victory over Liverpool upon their return to league action.
The Blues are currently second in the WSL, three points behind leaders Chelsea, having won each of their last five games in the competition, a run that was kickstarted by November’s 3-1 success over United at Old Trafford.
Striker Khadija Shaw scored in M16 and netted a hat-trick against Liverpool last time out. The Jamaican is the team’s top scorer so far this season, with 13 goals in 12 games across all competitions.
In the Conti Cup, Taylor’s team have picked up seven points from their first three matches, beating Everton and Liverpool on Merseyside before a home draw with Leicester, after which they lost the subsequent penalty shootout, to prevent them earning an extra point.
Wednesday’s hosts will have a different look to their traditional sky-blue home strip during the midweek group-stage finale, as they are set to sport their new Year of the Wood Dragon kit, featuring a silver-coloured shirt.
RIVALS WATCH
The derby at Joie Stadium is one of 10 fixtures taking place this midweek, as this season’s Conti Cup group stage draws to a close.
WEDNESDAY 24 JANUARY
Birmingham City v West Ham United
Blackburn Rovers v Sheffield United
Charlton Athletic v Brighton & Hove Albion
Leicester City v Everton
London City Lionesses v Crystal Palace
Man City v UNITED
Sunderland v Aston Villa (19:30 GMT)
Watford v Lewes (19:30 GMT)
THURSDAY 25 JANUARY
Southampton v Tottenham Hotspur (19:45 GMT)
All kick-offs are 19:00 GMT unless stated otherwise.
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Gallery
Images from United Women’s return to WSL action on Sunday afternoon, on the road at Chelsea.
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