City host United on Sunday 13 February in a crunch FA Women’s Super League clash – the first of two back-to-back meetings – and will contest this weekend’s fixture in front of a sell-out Academy Stadium for the first time, highlighting the ever-increasing interest and excitement surrounding the sport.
Bronze, who scored in her first home Derby last season as Gareth Taylor’s side stormed to a 3-0 win, says she is delighted to see the buzz around the encounters, which grow in stature each season.
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“I love it!” she told mancity.com. “We’re all excited to play in these games and it’s great to have back-to-back Derbies in the league and cup.
“Last season was my first Manchester Derby – I didn’t get to play against United previously – and it was great.
“They’re always special games – they bring an added level of excitement in football, like title races and relegation scraps.
“You see it in the men’s game – they’re some of the biggest games of the season and the ones the fans look forward to the most so they can boast the bragging rights at home or at school!
“It’s brilliant that the game has sold out. On Derby Day, there’s a different kind of atmosphere for the fans but also for the players and we’re really excited.”
City have never lost to United in the FA WSL, winning our two home games without conceding and drawing the away clashes 2-2.
The second of the back-to-back encounters will see Taylor’s side return to Leigh Sports Village for a mouth-watering FA Cup Fifth Round tie.
As a knock-out contest, that meeting will add another layer of excitement and Bronze says she would love to emerge victorious on the Reds’ own patch, as City chase FA Cup glory once more.
“These are big games for us,” she added. “The FA Cup is of course something we’re striving to get our hands on again this year.
“We’ll be excited to play them again and it would be really good to get an away win in front of their fans.
“It’s a really exciting time. We’ve had some good results and good crowds recently, and there’s a lot to look forward to.
“With the fans behind us, we’ll have that extra boost. Hopefully, we can score a few goals and get the results we want.”
