Jocelyn Prêcheur's first season in charge of London City Lionesses was a successful one, winning promotion to the Women's Super League just six years after the club was founded.
Prêcheur's side did not begin their campaign as they would have hoped though, losing 4-1 to Arsenal on the opening weekend. They did, however, make a statement in the game at the Emirates, taking the lead against the Champion's League holders through a penalty scored by Kosovare Asllani, and for much of the first half, looked threatening in attack.
Marc Skinner's Manchester United sat top of the WSL table after week one, after a thumping 4-0 victory over Leicester City in their opening match of the campaign, showcasing the danger that they pose in front of goal.
The Red Devils secured third place in the WSL last season, conceding only 16 goals across the entire campaign, earning a reputation as one of the strongest defences in the league.
Whilst United have WSL experience on their side, London City Lionesses have the advantage of preparation, as the clash on Sunday will be the third game in the space of a week for Skinner's side.
Undoubtedly, London City Lionesses will be looking to use this to their advantage, as they look to get off the mark and claim their first points in their maiden season in the WSL.
London City Lionesses
The Lionesses had an impressive summer of signings, both in terms of quality and quantity.
Notably on deadline day of the transfer window, Grace Geyoro made the move from Paris Saint Germain to play under Prêcheur for the second time, who managed the French side from 2022 to 2024. Geyoro was not available for the side's first match of the season, but is likely to make her debut at Hayes Lane this weekend.
Of their 17 signings over the summer transfer window, two in particular are familiar with Manchester United. Ex-Reds Katie Zelem and Nikita Parris will likely feature in the clash on Sunday, the former having been United's captain for five seasons before her departure to Angel City last summer.
Manchester United
After a pre-season somewhat plagued by injury, it is likely that some key players who have been missing for the first three competitive games of the season for the Red Devils will feature in the squad this weekend.
Skinner has confirmed that he is hopeful that defender Gabby George and new signing Fridolina Rolfö, previously of Barcelona, will be fit for the match. This will undoubtedly be a relief for both the players and fans alike, as the side named a bench of only four outfield players for their game against Leicester last Sunday.
That being said, the squad will not be without big name absences, with Simi Awujo, Rachel Williams and Leah Galton remaining unavailable for selection due to injury.
Likely Lineups
London City Lionesses
Lete; Kennedy, Linari, Kumagai; Fernández, Imuran, Zelem, Perez; Goodwin, Asllani, Parris
Manchester United
Tullis-Joyce; Riviere, Le Tissier, Janssen, Sandberg; Zigiotti Olme, Miyazawa, Toone; Malard, Park, Terland
Key Players
London City Lionesses - Katie Zelem
Zelem has a wealth of experience on the biggest stages including a decade at Liverpool and United combined, a season in the National Women's Soccer League and experience playing internationally for England.
For a club as new as London City Lionesses, especially in their inaugural WSL season, this experience will be pivotal to the success they are hoping to achieve.
Known for her set-piece excellence, Zelem will undoubtedly pose a threat this weekend. In their Champion's League qualifying match earlier in the week, the Reds conceded to Norwegian side SK Brann from a free kick, highlighting a potential flaw in United's system.
Zelem has proven on multiple occasions that she is reliable and clinical on set pieces, meaning that if London City Lionesses are looking to capitalise on this potential weakness, there may be no better person to utilise than the ex-United skipper herself.
Manchester United - Ella Toone
Having bagged the first goal of the WSL campaign for the Red Devils, England international Ella Toone has shown impressive vision, creativity and excellent link-up play with her teammates so far this season.
With United's midfield often consisting of Toone in front of Hinata Miyazawa and new signing Julia Zigiotti Olme in a double pivot**,** Manchester United's early start to their 2025/26 campaign in the way of their Champion's League qualifiers has allowed the midfield trio to establish a solid connection on the pitch. Toone has been able to showcase her creativity, having a goal and four assists under her belt already this season.
Undoubtedly, the midfielder will be looking to add to her goal involvement tally in her trip to the capital this weekend, and unarguably will be integral to setting up Norwegian striker Elisabeth Terland in front of goal, as the Reds look to maintain top spot in the table.