Jess Park's double helped City to victory in the Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium, a result which sends them top of the WSL.
Gareth Taylor was forced into a late change in his starting eleven when defender Laia Aleixandri was injured in the warm-up with Alanna Kennedy taking her place in the team.
It was the visitors who looked the better of the two teams in the early stages of the game with Geyse in particular causing problems on the right.
But City grew into the game as the half went on and took the lead in the 37th minute when Jess Park converted from Leila Ouahabi's cross.
It was almost 2-0 just seconds after the restart when Bunny Shaw had the ball in the net but the Jamaican was well offside when the ball fell to her.
The home side eventually doubled their lead just before the break to take control of the tie. Kennedy's header down in the United box was punched upon by Park who finished past Mary Earps for her second of the game.
The game was effectively over just after the restart when Shaw got her customary goal after the striker was played through, showing her strength to shrug off Maya Le Tessier and composure to put the ball past Earps.
United did eventually pull one back in the 73rd minute when Hannah Blundell's cross came off City defender Kerstin Casparij and into the net.
City now go top of the WSL ahead of Chelsea facing an away trip to take on West Ham United tomorrow.
The final stats from an action-packed derby! 🔢
— Man City Women (@ManCityWomen) March 23, 2024
🩵 3-1 🔴 #ManCity | @okx #StatWrap pic.twitter.com/p9T9uR4iSZ
3-1 | ||
Jess Park 37' 45' Khadija Shaw 46' Kerstin Casparij 73' (o.g.) |