By Erin Carroll
Manchester City and Manchester United’s historic rivalry spans back years;
however, on the women’s side, the sides first locked horns with each other in
September of 2019 at the Etihad Stadium in the WSL following Man United’s promotion from the Championship (WSL2). This game saw the Citizens run out one-nil winners, sparking one of the fiercest rivalries between sides.
However, this summer it was off the pitch that did the talking for the two sides. The
summer transfer window has always been home to shock departures and moves, but nothing could prepare fans for either Manchester club, for what was going to happen on deadline day.
Reports surfaced from The Times on the 25th of August that Manchester City were
interested in signing Grace Clinton from United; however, seeing as Clinton’s
contract with the Red Devils was already expiring in summer 2026, many saw this as an unlikely move.
However, just a week later, in a shocking turn of events, Tom Garry at the Guardian
reported that Manchester United were interested in the signing of City’s Academy
graduates and one of the most influential players, Jess Park. Following this rumour,
it was then confirmed by The Athletic hours later that with United interested in Park,
City were looking at making a swoop for Clinton.
It didn’t take long for these rumours to progress, as it was quickly confirmed that
Jess Park had agreed to personal terms to move from the Joie to Leigh Sports
Village in a shock transfer. Upon this news, it became clear that Citizens were eager
to bring in Grace Clinton across Manchester to bolster their squad.
On deadline day it was a scramble to get things done as both players travelled across the city to take part in their respective medicals at the City Football Academy and Carrington training complexes.
During deadline day, before either deal was confirmed, Clinton released a statement across social media confirming her departure from the Red Devils, further speculating that a move to the Citizens had materialised fully.
Park’s departure from the city was confirmed shortly after; she was unveiled to United fans early in the evening of the final day in the transfer window, coming off the back of making thirty-eight appearances in all competitions, registering an impressive twelve goals and assists, as well as being part of the Lionesses squad that won the UEFA Women’s Euros in Switzerland.
However, it wouldn’t be until 10:30 PM that the blue side of Manchester confirmed
the signing of Grace Clinton from their rivals for an undisclosed fee. Again, another
player full of quality who made twenty-eight appearances in all competitions, scoring
9 goals, playing primarily as a defensive midfield player.
With both players making the swap across Manchester, their shirt numbers were
confirmed a short while later, with Park taking the vacant number eight at United,
and Grace taking the number six at Manchester City, a number fond to City fans that last belonged to City and England’s legendary defender Steph Houghton.
With the window slamming shut at 11PM that night, both deals were confirmed with
significant time. This transfer is sure to go down as one of the most historic transfers between the two clubs, who are considered such bitter rivals with each other.