England striker Alessia Russo scored the only goal of the game as the Red Devils kept their place at the top of the WSL table.
Manchester United are four points clear at the top of the Women's Super League table with four games left to play after beating Arsenal 1-0 on Wednesday night.
After England captain Leah Williamson hobbled off with a nasty looking injury early on, Alessia Russo's first-half strike proved the difference in a game that was cagey throughout. Nikita Parris' run and cut-back to the star striker was a real moment of quality.
United struggled to control the game in the second period but Arsenal were equally unable to make them pay for some sloppy play and the Red Devils were able to see out a result that had huge implications on both the title race and the battle for those Champions League places.
So, who had a good night in the north west and who didn't? GOAL runs the rule…
WINNER: Alessia Russo
In recent weeks, it has felt like Russo's position as England's starting No.9 could be under threat.
The Man Utd forward came into the game with eight goals from 16 league appearances, while the free-scoring Rachel Daly has placed some pressure on her with her club form at Aston Villa and in how she has taken opportunities to play up front for the Lionesses in recent windows.
But this game was a reminder of why that shirt is Russo's to lose going into the World Cup.
After barely having a sight of goal through the entire first half, the 24-year-old scored a great goal on the stroke of half time to give United the lead. As Nikita Parris broke down the right, she held her run to be in a perfect position, with lots of space, for the cut-back and executed a lovely first time finish to make it 1-0.
She might not be in the hunt for the Golden Boot, but Russo has still been integral to United's season as they go into their final four games top of the pack and possesses tons of quality.
Indeed, on Wednesday, she was the match-winner.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Leah Williamson
After a lively start to the game, the first real incident of note was not a good one for Arsenal – or, with a World Cup on the horizon, for England.
Having picked Katie Zelem's pocket in midfield, Leah Williamson then tumbled to the ground without much contact and immediately signalled for help. She didn't need the stretcher that initially came out but the Lionesses' skipper did need to be helped off and down the tunnel with only 11 minutes on the clock.
In five days' time, Arsenal will play Wolfsburg in a Champions League semi-final. They are in the middle of not only a WSL title race, but also a race to secure European football for next season. To lose Williamson would be an absolutely massive blow.
It'd be even more devastating given the injuries the Gunners already have. This week, the club confirmed that captain Kim Little is out for the rest of the season. Caitlin Foord is still on the sidelines, too, while Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead suffered ACL injuries before Christmas.
Arsenal fans will be crossing their fingers will all their might for good news. England fans will be saying quiet prayers, too.
Getty ImagesWINNER: Manchester United's dream season
Top of the table, four points clear, with four games to play. Anyone at United would've snapped your hand off for that scenario had you offered them it at the start of the season.
Chelsea could still well overtake them – the Blues have two games in hand – but it seems that the Red Devils are well on course for Women's Champions League football for the very first time.
It's been quite the season so far for Marc Skinner's team, who are also into the Women's FA Cup final for the very first time after beating Brighton in the semi-finals last weekend.
How will it all end? They'll hope in a way that reflects what a brilliant campaign it has been.
Getty ImagesLOSER: Arsenal title hopes
Is that Arsenal's title race over?
The Gunners now sit six points off the pace with only five games left, leaving them quite a mountain to climb – and needing quite a lot of favours elsewhere.
Given Chelsea, in second place, four points behind leaders United, still have two games in hand, that gap to the top could become even bigger, too.
It seems their fight is now with Manchester City for that final European place instead. The pair are level on points, with Arsenal ahead by a significantly better goal difference. But with the Gunners' injuries, City will smell blood…
