Meanwhile, Manchester City secured a convincing 4-1 win over Spurs – but the most shocking result came in Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat to relegation battlers Bristol City.
Tanya Oxtoby‘s side were without a win coming into the fixture, so to gain three points against the high-flying new comers - who have been taking the WSL by storm - was surprising, to say the least.
Ebony Salmon scored the only goal against her old club as she went head to head with Abbie McManus, using her pace and skill to find the back of the net. Despite Manchester United being the dominant team throughout the 90 minutes, they failed to put any of their shots away and as a result, Bristol City picked up their first win of the 2019/2020 campaign.
Although the Red Devils still find themselves in fourth place, a recent mix of results means their current position is hanging by a thread. Casey Stoney’s side are level on points with Everton, with goal difference the only factor currently separating the two teams. They are also just one point ahead of sixth-placed Reading and two ahead of seventh-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
However, should the Red Devils really be concerned? Or are the critics being too harsh on the side, following their impressive first season in the league?
FT: #MUWomen 0 Bristol City 1
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) January 5, 2020
2020 begins with a narrow defeat. pic.twitter.com/UNYkLU4XMd
Let’s not forget that Manchester United’s first ever season in the top flight got off to an exciting start - with the club undeniably exceeding expectations as a newly-promoted side. And since their difficult start - losing to both Arsenal and Man City - the team have picked up convincing wins over the likes of Liverpool, Spurs and Reading.
Yet, to suggest that Stoney should start to panic would be pretty absurd.
Yes, the Red Devils may have suffered disappointing defeats to West Ham and Bristol City in recent weeks – but there is still heaps of potential for this newly-formed side.
It would be easy to suggest their first game in 2020 was a disappointing and it some ways it was, especially with Arsenal picking up an 11-1 victory over Bristol City just one month prior. However, when it comes to stats, the Red Devils have little to fret about.
Manchester United absolutely dominated in attack, with the hosts ranking up 21 shots to Bristol City’s three. Although the sides were fairly even when it came to possession, it was the silly mistakes that cost United the game, including Lizzie Arnot’s miss in the second half – something Stoney can can work on in the upcoming fixtures.
The Red Devils are still charging in the right direction. Let’s just hope their most recent defeat doesn’t knock their confidence, with the side currently one of the most exciting prospects in the WSL.
Source : 90min