Steph Houghton has urged her City teammates to leave ‘everything’ out on the Etihad Stadium pitch during our Barclays Women’s Super League meeting with Manchester United.

Gareth Taylor’s side lock horns with our arch-rivals for the third time this term at 12:30 (UK) on Saturday 23 March.

In November’s reverse WSL fixture at Old Trafford, we delivered a superb display to come from a goal behind to win 3-1 and inflict Marc Skinner’s side their first defeat at the stadium.

Then, in the latest clash, goals from Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp helped us to a battling 2-1 victory in the Continental Cup which secured passage into the knockout phase of the competition.

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And Houghton has encouraged her colleagues to take advantage of our past experiences against Manchester United in the upcoming meeting.

“It’s always an amazing occasion [the Manchester derby],” our Club captain declared.

“The last derby we had at Old Trafford, I want the girls to remember that feeling because it’s pretty special to go to their place and play the way we did.

“To win convincingly, even with 10 players, I felt we were in control. When you do play at the Etihad it’s such a special feeling because we’re in front of our fans.

“The girls are really experienced in these occasions now so I want them to have a bit of emotion.

“I think it’s important when you put on this shirt, and you have the opportunity to represent the club that we leave everything out there.”

With six WSL matches left of 2023/24, City are level on points with league leaders Chelsea, with only goal difference is keeping us from the WSL’s summit.

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Meanwhile, Skinner’s team still harbour ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League with Manchester United sitting one place behind third-place Arsenal.

It all leads to a seismic Manchester derby, which Houghton believes is more tantalising due to its place in the fixture calendar.

She added: “I always gauge in terms of how we’re feeling on matchday and you can sense in the changing room, sometimes I don’t have to say too much because we’re all motivating ourselves to go and win.

“This is going to be a massive derby and where it is in the season as well. The intention is always the same, to keep Manchester blue.”

In our home WSL meeting with Manchester United last season, a record 44,259 supporters flocked to the Etihad to witness an enthralling 1-1 draw, with another packed crowd expected in the latest instalment.

And Houghton says our devoted fans could play a crucial role in a potentially magical 2023/24 finale.

“It’s the perfect time and day to get as many Mancunians at the Manchester derby,” she explained.

“If we can push that number even more and get everyone behind us, this could be a really special season.”

Tickets are still available to purchase ahead of the latest showdown between City and United, with adults priced from £10 and Under-18s from just £5.

For more information on how to secure your seat and cheer on Gareth Taylor’s side, click here.