Why there is more riding on Manchester WSL derby than bragging rights

Whenever Manchester United face Manchester City, there is always a lot at stake. And when the Women's Super League clubs meet at Old Trafford on Saturday (13:30 GMT), the focus will be on the league title and a place in Europe next season. Manchester City are top of the WSL table and need a maximum of eight points from their remaining four matches to clinch a first league title in a decade.

United are second, eight points behind. Chelsea are third, nine adrift of City, while Arsenal, who are fourth and 11 points back, have two games in hand. Marc Skinner's United have won only two of their 12 WSL meetings with City and lost 3-0 in the reverse fixture at Etihad Stadium in November.

With the top three qualifying for Europe, will they turn around their derby form on Saturday and boost their chances of qualifying for next season's Women's Champions League? Or will City, after six runners-up finishes in the past nine seasons, emerge triumphant and put themselves on the brink of winning a second WSL title? United's task has been made even harder with the fixture sandwiched between both legs of their Champions League quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich.

They were beaten 3-2 in a gruelling encounter at Old Trafford on Wednesday and are missing key midfielder Ella Toone through injury. But can they open up a gap from third-placed Chelsea while thrusting themselves back into the race for top spot by delaying City's march to the title? "That's the plan, right?