Jeglertz warns Man City to be wary of unpredictability of derbies

Andree Jeglertz has warned his Manchester City team that anything can happen in a derby, as “these games live their own lives.”

City are top of the Women’s Super League table, eight points ahead of Saturday’s opponents Manchester United, who are one point clear of third-placed Chelsea.

With only four games remaining, City remain in a commanding position in the title race and know that a win would lift them closer to a first league triumph since 2016.

They have a good record against United, having lost just two of their 12 WSL meetings with their neighbours (W6 D4).

City also ran out 3-0 winners in the reverse fixture earlier this season and could secure a league double over United for just the second time, after the 2023-24 campaign.

Jeglertz’s side will be high on confidence after a commanding 5-2 win over Tottenham last time out, but he insists there are no foregone conclusions in a derby.

“These games live their own lives,” Jeglertz said. “A derby in this city is always going to get 100% energised players from both teams, from the beginning.

“It almost doesn’t matter what tempo you start, as [your] opponent will be ready.

“These games aren’t determined by 15, 20 minutes. Definitely, the longer the game goes on, it can be a challenge, but it’s how the game turns out and what happens.

Let the battle commence pic.twitter.com/Xbri2aoD0s

— Manchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) March 27, 2026

“Definitely in the beginning, both teams will be 100% focused and energised, they really want to get three points in this game.

“I don’t think we can use that at the beginning of the game.”

While United have struggled against City in the past, they are in good form.

Only Arsenal (11) are on a longer run without defeat in the WSL than United, who are unbeaten in nine (W6 D3), though that run started after the loss to City in November.

The Red Devils will once again be without midfielder Ella Toone, though, as she continues to recover from a hip injury that has kept her sidelined since December, but Marc Skinner is hopeful she will be back with the group soon.

“The plan is, hopefully, the game after the international break [against Spurs],” Skinner said of Toone.

“[That] is the aim for her, should everything go well.

“She’s training on the field, she’s doing individual bits, she’ll hopefully be back with more team bits soon enough, so the aim is, and the hope is, that we can get her back for after the next international window.”