Manchester United star signs new contract as Man City target Champions League semi-final spot

Manchester City will be eyeing a Champions League semi-final spot as Man United

Manchester City will be hoping to book their place in the semi-finals of the Women's Champions League when they travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on Thursday evening

City head into the second leg of their quarter-final showdown leading 2-0 from last Wednesday night's first leg at the Joie Stadium. They secured a priceless 2-0 aggregate lead via a second double from Vivianne Miedema.

Meanwhile, Manchester United boosted their Champions League qualification hopes for next season with a return to winning ways last weekend, thumping Aston Villa 4-0 at Villa Park in the Women's Super League (WSL).

As part of the Manchester Evening News' weekly women's football notebook, here is a round-up of the five biggest talking points from the women's football scene across Manchester from the past week and ahead of this weekend.

City targeting Champions League semi-finals

City will be hoping to advance to the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time in seven years when they face Chelsea in the second leg of their quarter-final showdown this evening.

Leading 2-0 from last week's first leg, Nick Cushing's side will be determined to get the job done and maintain their hopes of reaching their first-ever Champions League final.

If City get the job done this evening, they will face either Barcelona or Wolfsburg in the semi-finals. The second leg of that tie also takes place this evening and Barcelona have a commanding 4-1 lead from the first leg.

Previewing the clash with the Londoners, City defender Kerstin Casparij said: "We are really looking forward to it. It's an incredible game. The UEFA Women's Champions League is always special and to have an opportunity to progress is exciting.

"Not just me but the team are looking forward to being as competitive as possible tomorrow."

City eyeing revenge again

Tonight's clash with Chelsea will mark City's fourth encounter with Sonia Bompastor's side in less than a fortnight, following their clashes in the League Cup final, the first leg of their Champions League showdown and the WSL.

Chelsea inflicted revenge on City for last Wednesday night's European defeat with a 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium in the WSL on Sunday, sealed via a late winner from midfielder Erin Cuthbert. City had taken a first half lead through Kerolin but saw the game flipped on its head in the second half via strikes from Aggie Beever-Jones and Cuthbert.

But after bouncing back from their League Cup final defeat to beat Chelsea four days later as recently as last week, City will be hoping to repeat the same trick again following Sunday's WSL reverse.

Chelsea, however, are unbeaten at home since May last year and have only lost once this season across all competitions.

United back on track

After losing 3-1 to Liverpool at Anfield just under a fortnight ago, United got back on track last Sunday with a commanding 4-0 win over Villa at Villa Park. Marc Skinner's side raced into a three-goal lead by half-time via goals from Elisabeth Terland (2) and a stunning hit from Grace Clinton.

Terland opened the scoring after 22 minutes when she slid in to convert Celin Bizet's low cross before doubling her tally nine minutes later, heading in a deep cross from Jayde Riviere. However, the moment of the game belonged to Clinton, who lobbed Villa goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo from distance in spectacular style on the stroke of half-time.

United made sure of the points 19 minutes into the second half when Leah Galton flicked in Melvine Malard's cross from the right.

On bouncing back from the defeat to Liverpool, Terland said: "We knew we wanted to bounce back and I think we did that. We showed character and we, as a group, worked hard together this week and I want to praise the staff as well.

"We've done a really a good job and got our mindset in the right place before the game. That showed in the performance."

United are next in action on Saturday, hosting Everton in the WSL at Leigh Sports Village, kick-off 12.30pm.

Turner signs new deal as attacker departs

Defender Mille Turner has committed her future to United by putting pen to paper on a new contract at Old Trafford. The 28-year-old, who has been with United Women since their formation in 2018, has extended her stay until the summer of 2028.

On securing Turner's future, United boss Skinner said: "Millie has been here since the beginning, and she is an important part of the team. She's part of my leadership group but I still think there is even more growth to come.

"We have unfinished business and aspirations for success, she is hungry to keep improving and a key person in driving the high standards we have here as a club."

Meanwhile, attacker Geyse has left Old Trafford to join US outfit Gotham FC on loan. She will spend the remainder of the NWSL season, which runs until November, in the United States.

The Brazilian joined United from Barcelona back in 2023.

City and United stars make England squad

Earlier this week, England boss Sarina Wiegman named her squad for the upcoming Nations League double header against Belgium next month.

City trio Khiara Keating, who has been recalled to the senior group, Jess Park and Chloe Kelly, who is currently out on loan at Arsenal, have been included in Wiegman's plans, likewise United quartet Maya Le Tissier, Ella Toone, Turner and Clinton.

The Lionesses are currently second in their Nations League group after their opening two games saw them defeat Spain 1-0 and 1-1 draw with Portugal.

The first of the two clashes with Belgium will take place at Ashton Gate on Friday, April 4. The second tussle will take place in Belgium on Tuesday, April 8.

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