Former Man City star Steph Houghton reveals Manchester derby 'was always the first fixture she used to look for' – as Pep Guardiola's struggling side get ready to host United in crucial clash

Lioness legend and Manchester City icon Steph Houghton is no stranger to the intensity and high stakes of a Manchester derby.

Manchester City host their noisy neighbours at the Etihad in the Premier League this weekend, with the winners vying for much more than just three much needed points for both teams.

‘It’s not just about one game and three points. It’s bragging rights for the rest of the year and rest of the season,’ Houghton, who retired from playing last season after a decade at City, tells Mail Sport.

‘When I joined Man City and I watched the men’s team play United, you knew how big the game was. Within Manchester that’s all people used to speak about – “When are City playing United?”

‘That was always a dream of mine, to have a Manchester derby for the women’s side. 

‘So as soon as United announced their women’s team and they got themselves promoted (from the Championship into the WSL), that was always the first fixture I used to look for.’

Steph Houghton and Joleon Lescott (left) teamed up with Asahi Super Dry 0.0% and renowned football analysts Opta ahead of the derby

The Mancunian rivalry in the WSL isn’t as long-enduring as the one played between the two Premier League teams – United women only joined the top-flight for the 2019-20 season. But, as Houghton stresses, that hasn’t made it any less fierce.

‘One of my favourite ever games was the one at Old Trafford last season. To go there and just be booed every single time we touched the ball or when we went to go and warm up. 

‘There was just extra pressure because you want to make Manchester blue and fortunately we did that more times than not.’

And for Houghton’s teammates who had been born and raised in Manchester, the occasion took on extra significance.

‘Esme Morgan used to always be hyper on derby days because she’s a big City fan and her parents have got season tickets. Keira Walsh was another one when she was at the club – just being born a blue and knowing what this derby means.

‘To be honest a lot of the girls took it seriously but there were a few that were a little bit more chirpy on the build-up to a derby day, me included.’

The build-up to the first ever WSL Manchester derby was intense – it was United’s first season in the competition and they had been drawn to play against City on the opening day at the Etihad, where City women had only played once before, and it drew a record-breaking WSL crowd.

‘There were so many different things coming into it and it was a tight game. We played okay, even though we had a few players missing.

Manchester City host their noisy neighbours at the Etihad in the Premier League this weekend

‘And then Ellie Roebuck pulled off a massive save just before half time. But I think for me it was that Caroline Weir goal – for one because we scored and we won but also because it was Caz and the actual goal itself was unbelievable.

‘I think that was probably my biggest moment in a derby game.’

Steph Houghton teamed up with Asahi Super Dry 0.0% and renowned football analysts Opta to unveil a series of limited-edition Derby Day scarves, inspired by two of the most iconic recent Manchester Derby clashes, exclusively available at The Cityzens’ Arms on Sunday 15th December. Opta Match data from two legendary Derby Day fixtures has served as the blueprint for the designs, with each stitch bringing to life a key match stat.

For more information, please visit https://www.asahisuperdry.com/en-gb/home/