If you’ve taken a look at the Women’s Super League table in the last two weeks, you’ll have noticed that both Manchester clubs are leading the pack. Manchester City have an eight-point cushion at the top, with Manchester United in second on 31 points.
Although it is only February, could this possibly be the season we see both Manchester teams finish in the top three and qualify for Europe? The race for Europe will be a tight one.
Eight-time champions Chelsea, who have suffered humbling defeats to City and Arsenal in recent weeks, have already conceded the title, but remain on the Reds’ heels, with 30 points. Current European champions Arsenal have 29 points, with a game in hand.
Manchester United gear up for UWCL playoff
The UEFA Women’s Champions League knockout playoffs start this week, with the second legs taking place next week.
Manchester United travel away to Atletico Madrid on Thursday, aiming to get one step closer to knockout football in their debut season in the Champions League.
The two sides previously met in October, during the League phase of the competition, ending in a narrow 1-0 win for a United side down to ten players.
The Reds finished their League phase in sixth and have boosted their squad with new signings during the January transfer window.
They have reinforced their forward line with German international Lea Schüller from Bayern Munich and Swedish youngster Ellen Wangerheim from Hammarby. Swedish right-back Hanna Lundkvist joined from NWSL club San Diego Wave.
Opponents Atletico Madrid finished their League phase in eleventh, but failed to win any of their home fixtures at Centro Deportivo Wanda Alcala de Henares.
Fridolina Rolfö, United’s top scorer in the competition, who scored the match-winner against Atletico in October, has not travelled with the squad.
Valentine’s Day Weekend: Back to the WSL
Manchester City are not in European action this season, having finished just outside the European spots last season. Without any Champions League, City have been able to focus on their league form, resulting in an eight-point lead at the top of the table.
The Blues, who blew Chelsea away in their 5-1 win at the Etihad at the start of the month, were unable to reach those same heights away at Arsenal last Sunday, resulting in a 1-0 loss.
Arsenal’s Olivia Smith’s goal ended City’s 13-game winning streak in the WSL, but the buffer of points accumulated means they remain at the top of the table.
Despite last week’s loss, the Blues remain in a comfortable position to win their first WSL title since 2016, with only United left to face out of the WSL’s top four.
The league leaders will be eager to return to winning ways as they host bottom-of-the-table Leicester City on Friday evening at the Joie Stadium.
It took City 74 minutes to unlock Leicester City’s defence in the reverse fixture in December, ultimately ending in a 3-0 win with goals from Bunny Shaw and Kerolin Nicoli.
Since then, Manchester City have added American international Sam Coffey to their midfield, who came on as a second-half substitute last weekend at Arsenal.
On the red side of Manchester, United have a quick turnaround from their UWCL playoff to their Sunday lunchtime WSL game against London City Lionesses at the Progress With Unity Stadium.
Unbeaten in 2026, United’s win over Leicester City last Saturday marked their fifth straight win in all competitions. A win could ensure they hold onto their second-place spot ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal, as the three clubs have two points separating them.
Promoted London City Lionesses are currently sixth in the league table, but have had a mixed bag of results in 2026, following the appointment of new head coach Eder Maestre. Their latest match ended in a tight 1-0 loss at home to Everton.
In their last meeting in September, United claimed a 5-1 victory, with goals from Melvine Malard, captain Maya Le Tissier, Jayde Riviere and Jess Park.
With both Manchester teams playing at home this weekend, it will be a chance for both to remain in the league’s top spots ahead of the London clubs that have dominated the WSL in the last ten years.