Over 1,000 more than the next biggest crowd watched the Manchester ‘derby’, with United drawing 1-1 with City.

United and England midfielder Ella Toone from Tyldesley was in the starting line-up and contributed to her side becoming the first to take points off City so far this season.

City were heading for a seventh straight win when Khadija Shaw marked her 100th WSL appearance with her 91st goal midway through the second half.

Shaw found half a yard from Mary Fowler’s pass to drill a powerful shot through the legs of Dominique Janssen, and score for the seventh successive WSL game.

Elisabeth Terland rescued United with an 89th-minute leveller, lashing home after Shaw’s attempted headed clearance fell to her eight yards out.

The contest attracted 5,361 fans to Leigh Sports Village, almost 2,000 more than the previous home Super League game against Liverpool and bettering the season home opener against Chelsea which pulled in 4,327.

United will be home again on Wednesday when they host Burnley at LSV in the Subway Players Cup.

Their next league game at home will be against Crystal Palace on Saturday, November 14, kick-off 12.45pm.