Jill Roord exclusive: Man City can beat Man Utd in Sunday's Manchester derby with German passion and fire

Plus: How Man City suits Jill Roord's game and why she loves scoring goals; How the midfielder deals with pressure and attention from a young age;Watch Man Utd vs Man City live on Sky Sports Premier League and Football from 4pm on Sunday; kick-off 4.30pm

Senior football journalist

Friday 17 November 2023 06:11, UK

«The way we play, we are very dominant — but that’s not always going to win the game. You have to bring that fire and play ugly, and that’s what we will need on Sunday.»

Manchester City midfielder Jill Roord only has one thing on her mind — beating Manchester United in her first Manchester derby this weekend, live on Sky Sports.

One of the biggest games of Man City's season comes at an already critical moment. They have lost their last two WSL matches — one against Arsenal, the other a shock defeat to Brighton last weekend — with no winner of the league title ever losing more than two matches.

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«In both games, we had the better chances,» Roord reflected. «That's one of the things we have to do better going forward, scoring our goals, being more patient and effective.

»We have to control and we are dominant, but sometimes be a bit more passionate and have a bit more fire in the team."

Those buzzwords of 'passion and fire' are sprinkled throughout our interview, and it can be guided back to a successful two-season spell with women's football powerhouse Wolfsburg.

While in Germany, Roord won three major titles, and was a runner-up to Barcelona in last season's Champions League final. The Netherlands international believes there are cultural differences that Man City can adopt to help turn around their slight dip in form.

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