Nikita Parris has called on her teammates to step up ahead of the Manchester Derby tomorrow.

Manchester United are 12 points adrift of City, who are pushing Chelsea for the WSL title this year.

United’s season has been nothing short of disappointing so far as they sit in fourth, level on points with Liverpool and six points behind Arsenal in third place.

Parris told BBC Sport: “As a team, we need to step up and grow.

“All our games have been competitive but in big moments we’ve lacked experience and it’s cost us.”

Last season, United had their best season to date, pushing Chelsea to the final game in the title race and reaching the FA Cup final.

They qualified for the Champions League for the first time ever but crashed out of that competition after the second qualifying round when they were beaten by PSG last October.

“We were competing last year. This year we haven’t maintained those high standards,” Parris said.

“That’s where we need to push forward as a team. It won’t happen overnight but that’s our aim.

“We’re definitely not where we want to be. The reality is we need points to go on our side and games out of our control to go our way. We have to take care of business and, in all honesty, we haven’t, especially in the big games.”

United could still salvage something from this season as they take on Chelsea in the FA Cup semi final next month.

As for the league, United will have to hope Arsenal drop points and they can make the most of their remaining fixtures for a chance to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

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United took the lead following a corner. Turner rose to head it goalwards from Zelem’s corner but it was dealt with by Brighton. It came back out to Zelem who whipped it back in with her left foot and Turner headed it in.

A lovely bit of skill from Malard almost led to United’s second but her volleyed shot was well saved by Baggaley.

Moments later she controlled the ball well again on the edge of the box but set up Parris who slotted it in for two.

A corner for Brighton conceded by Naalsund, who was having a good game, was easily dealt with by United as Earps rose and strongly punched it away.

United were enjoying themselves down south and as the fourth official indicated four minutes at the end of the first half, United got their third.

United started the second half much as the first had ended. Katie Zelem with a lovely through ball to pick out Garcia, then Naalsund picked out the run of Malard through the middle who forced a great save from Baggaley.

Chance after chance for United and Malard found herself one on one with Baggaley but again the former Red pulled off a good save.

It was Naalsund who made it four, the Seagulls never cleared their lines following a corner and Naalsund to the left of the area smashed it past Baggaley.

It was a professional performance from United who comfortably go into the hat for the semi-final draw.

There, they will face either Leicester City, the winner of Everton vs Chelsea or the winner of Spurs vs Man City.

Team: Earps, Blundell, Le Tissier, Turner, Riviere (Evans 77), Naalsund, Zelem, Toone, Garcia, Parris (Williams 77), Malard (Guerrero 77)

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Manchester United Women have beaten Brighton 2-0 at home in the WSL.

The game started an important week of reflection for the whole club.

The Supporters Club flags were replaced with flags paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the Munich Air Disaster and both managers laid a wreath prior to kick off as a rendition of The Flowers of Manchester played.

Brighton brought the game to United in the opening five minutes, they were pressing well and attacking aggressively but United soon found their rhythm.

After a series of corners for the home side, Geyse delivered a lovely cut back into the six yard box which found Nikita Parris, who turned it past former United keeper Sophie Baggaley.

The Seagulls defence were having difficulty with Lucia Garcia, who was a bundle of energy in the first half, constantly pressing high for the ball.

22 minutes in and Brighton got their first corner of the game but it was well dealt with by Millie Turner, who headed it away from danger.

It was a good spell of possession for the visitors and they managed to get their first shot on target which Earps magnificently saved.

United were forced to make an early change as Jayde Riviere who had picked up a knock against Villa last week was injured just before the half hour mark. United were down to ten temporarily as Evans prepared herself.

United came close to doubling their lead just before half-time. Geyse launched another attack down the right and found Ella Toone but her shot was just wide. Brighton could not handle the speed and agility of Geyse.

The game began to get heated in the second half as Geyse found herself on the floor three times in as many minutes under the challenge of Poppy Pattinson. A heated exchange of words ensued between Nikita Parris and Vicky Losada. The fans were getting frustrated, the referee had words but no cards came out.

Moments later, Geyse punished Brighton for their foul play as she darted inside the box and, in what looked like an exact replica of the first goal, she pulled it back to Parris, who was lurking around the six yard mark and she blasted it past Baggaley again.

United came again, this time it was Blundell down the right wing, she delivered it into the box as Leah Galton was arriving but it was just a little too far in front of her.

It was an energetic performance from United. The points keep them in touching distance of the top three and keep their Champions League hopes alive.

Team: Earps, Le Tissier, Blundell, Toone (Guerrero 78), Zelem, Riviere (Evans 33), Naalsund, Garcia (Galton 57), Turner, Parris (Williams 78), Geyse (Malard 78)

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United made a bright start to the game and Nikita Parris opened the scoring in the 7th minute, heading into the bottom corner from a cross by Hannah Blundell.

Ella Toone, who was making her 150th appearance for the club, almost doubled United’s lead as Lisa Naalsund made a good run down the right and cut it back to Toone but her shot flew over the bar.

United were patient but dominated in all aspects of the game. Their pressure paid off as a parry from Villa goalie Daphne Van Domselaar fell kindly for Parris who made no mistake with the follow up.

Villa came close to launching an attack but United’s defence stood strong and confidently repelled all attacks.

United came again through Geyse on the overlap with Parris, but her shot was saved and it almost fell perfectly for Toone but Villa were alive to the danger.

United began the second half with the same energy they had shown in the first. An early chance fell to Parris to notch a hat trick but was well saved by Van Domselaar who turned it behind for a corner.

Villa were playing much more as a unit as the second half progressed and Jayde Riviere was forced into making a great block.

Moments later, a long range shot came in and Mary Earps came across to push it out for a Villa corner. United had begun to sit back to try and manage the game.

A bizarre penalty decision was awarded to Villa, the referee deeming Lucía Garcia had held on to Rachel Daly during a corner and pointed to the spot.

The United players and fans were livid with the decision. Earps dived the right way and even got fingertips to the strike but couldn’t keep it out.

The game opened up as Villa went all out and had a few chances that went abegging as United lived dangerously.

United fans gave Adriana Leon a hostile reception when she was subbed off and had to walk past the north stand terrace. It came after the former United player had shushed the Reds fans in the reverse fixture.

Moments later as United teased Leon with the score, another former Red, Kirsty Hanson almost bagged an equaliser but Earps turned it behind for a corner.

Deep into injury time, Naalsund worked hard to keep hold of the ball and got a shot away which Van Domselaar had to push over the crossbar.

United had made the second half hard work for themselves but they grinded out the result in the end.

Team: Earps, Blundell, Turner, Le Tissier, Riviere, Naalsund, Zelem, Garcia (Galton), Parris (Williams) Toone (Guerrero), Geyse (Malard)

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United started brightly, dominating the opening ten minutes, before City began to grow into the game.

The officiating was questionable as Khadija Shaw and Chloe Kelly appeared to go down easily without much contact while there were times Garcia was being held and the referee awarded nothing.

United shot-stopper, Phallon Tullis-Joyce, was called into action just before the half hour mark, diving to her right to prevent Shaw getting the opener.

Moments later, Irene Guerrero, who had returned from injury, had a brilliant chance to put the visitors ahead but her shot was just wide.

Heading in to stoppage time in the first half, Tullis-Joyce was there again to keep the scores level, making herself big as Shaw shot from close range.

United were energetic in the first half but looked flat as they came out for the second half.

It wasn’t long before Chloe Kelly opened the scoring for City. Gemma Evans failed to close her down and she slotted it past Tullis-Joyce.

United were lacking the sense of urgency or had tired legs as their heads dropped.

City were on the front foot and Lauren Hemp, from what looked like an offside position, tapped it in for two.

The addition of Toone, Geyse and Malard brought a positivity to United’s play but time was running out.

The Reds managed to claw one back deep into stoppage time. Nikita Parris, who had worked hard all night, managed to dig it out in the six yard box.

Though there was not much time on the clock it looked like late drama could be on the cards as Parris was brought down in the box but United’s calls for a penalty were ignored by the ref.

Moments later Geyse had the chance to draw United level but her shot was well saved by Keating.

The game ended in defeat but United were still confident they had done enough to qualify as best runner up as other results had gone their way.

However, Aston Villa, who beat Sunderland 7-0, fielded an ineligible player. Depending how the FA choose to discipline them, United could in fact lose their place in the Quarter finals to the Black Cats if the result is overturned.

Team: Tullis-Joyce, Turner, Le Tissier, Evans, Blundell, Zelem (Ladd), Naalsund, Garcia (Malard), Parris, Williams (Geyse), Guerrero (Toone)

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It was the biggest away allocation ever sold at Leigh Sports Village as 4731 turned out to see the first game between these two sides.

Toone’s shot in the opening minutes deflected wide for a corner but United couldn’t make anything of the opportunity.

Geyse had a good chance to open the scoring moments later but she couldn’t keep her shot down.

United were good on the counter but their decision-making in front of goal needed to be better.

United thought they’d made the breakthrough 15 minutes in, but it was cleared off the line.

The Reds were not playing their best football but they were dominating possession.

It was Ella Toone who made the breakthrough around half an hour in. Patient build up play found Toone on the edge of the box and she smashed it past Donnelly.

Newcastle launched a good counter from a United corner but Riviere made a brilliant recovery, coming across to the right to make the tackle.

Nikita Parris doubled United’s lead as Toone delivered a lovely cross for Parris to head home eight minutes from half time.

The second half kicked off with a good chance for Katie Zelem but her shot, searching for the top corner, was just a little too high.

As a cross came in from the right, the keeper was drawn out but Garcia was first to it, heading it down into Parris’ path to tap in to an open goal.

Skinner made some changes but United never took their foot off the gas and substitute Rachel Williams had a shot which hit the woodwork but she made no mistake with the rebound and buried it in the far corner.

With five minutes injury time to play, Malard made it five on the scoreboard turning it in at the near post.

It was an emphatic win for United who are looking at going one better than last season.

Marc Skinner silenced his critics.

Team: Earps, Le Tissier, Blundell, Toone, Turner, Zelem, Ladd (Guerrero 65), Riviere (Evans 73), Garcia (Galton 65), Parris (Malard 65), Geyse (Williams 65)

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Manchester United Women have travelled to Malta for their winter training camp.

The team met at Carrington before travelling together to the airport and touching down shortly after 8pm local time yesterday.

Skinner’s squad will train at the Ta’Qali ground during their five day trip as well as having time to visit different parts of the island.

On Friday, 5 January, United will face PSV Eindhoven in a friendly which will be shown on MUTV.

United released the travelling squad which included a number of United’s academy players.

Joining the first team are defenders Lucy Newell and Mayzee Davies, Midfielders Holly Deering and Phoebe Chadwick and forward Olivia Francis.

Some of the players currently ruled out with long term injuries such as Emma Watson, Jess Simpson and Gabby George, also made it onto the flight.

Meanwhile, there was speculation as to whether Mary Earps would travel or not with her future being the talk of the transfer window. A change in agent and constant rumours she may be joining former Red Devil Alessia Russo at Arsenal have fuelled a great deal of chatter.

However, United confirmed she has travelled with the team.

One noticeable absentee was Nikita Parris, who has not travelled.

It is unknown at this time why she has not joined the squad, after she was spotted at Carrington earlier today.

United return to competitive action on January 14 when they host Newcastle in the FA Cup.

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Manchester United Women have beaten bottom of the league Bristol City 2-0 as they got back to winning ways in the league.

It was a fight for Bristol from the start as Leah Galton and Geyse ran rings round the Robins defence.

Aspin chopped down Galton in the second minute but came off worse in the challenge and United couldn’t capitalise on the free kick.

Five minutes later, Geyse wriggled free of her defender and cut it back to Parris whose strike was well saved by Clark in the Bristol goal.

Again United came, Galton and Turner both denied by the gloves of Clark as she saved her team from falling behind in the first half.

Aspin succumbed to the earlier knock she had picked up and had to be stretchered off in the 26th minute.

The stoppage disrupted United’s rhythm and for a short time Bristol saw more possession.

Just before half-time Bristol had their best chance of the game but Earps got down low to stop a header from sneaking into the bottom corner.

United made the breakthrough in the second half as 50 minutes in Hinata Miyazawa bagged her first goal for the club. Her deflected strike from outside of the area wrong footed the keeper to break the deadlock.

Five minutes later and United doubled their lead as Ella Toone delivered a beautiful cross which Parris rose to head past Clark.

Toone had two assists now but wanted a goal herself, she found the net in the 63rd minute but it was ruled out for offside despite it coming off a Bristol defender last.

Two minutes later and she squared a ball to the onrushing Parris who slid and tapped it home but momentum kept pulling her forward and she collided nastily with the goal post.

Again the linesman’s flag was up but it was a tight call, it would be Parris’ last involvement of the game as she went off to receive treatment.

It was a dominant display from United who probably could’ve boasted a bigger scoreline if not for Clark’s heroics between the sticks.

Team: Earps, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell, Riviere, Zelem, Miyazawa (Ladd 67), Parris (Malard 67), Toone, Galton (Williams 77), Geyse (Garcia 78)

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