Two first-half goals helped Manchester United extend their winning run in the Women’s Super League with a 2-0 victory over Leicester.

Melvine Malard opened the scoring with a cool finish past Janina Leitzig and then turned provider for Leah Galton to double the lead with a low strike moments before the break as United made it seven straight wins in the WSL.

Leicester were left frustrated after substitute Yuka Momiki spearheaded a brighter second-half display, but despite finding themselves in promising positions they were unable to test United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce and fell to a ninth league defeat of the season.

After starting well United scored with their first real chance on goal in the 19th minute.

The move was started by Maya Le Tissier, who from her own box played a great ball into Ella Toone in midfield. The England international was able to turn and thread a pass through to Malard, who broke past the last defender before flicking the ball past Leitzig with the outside of a boot.

Moments later United had a penalty call waved away after a move down the right flank saw Aoife Mannion’s cross hit the hand of Sam Tierney.

Malard continued to cause problems for the Leicester defence and chased down her own header in the box before playing the ball into Celin Bizet, but the shot was blocked.

On a rare venture forward Missy Goodwin had a tame shot easily cleared for the visitors and a brief spell of possession resulted in a corner, which was easily caught by Tullis-Joyce.

United doubled their lead in the second minute of added time at the end of the first half. They won the ball in midfield and Malard played a pass into Galton, who smashed a low strike home.

Early in the second half Leicester had a good opportunity when a corner from Momiki was nodded away by Millie Turner to Janice Cayman on the edge of the area, but the skipper’s shot was well cleared.

Momiki continued to put in an impressive display as she sent another menacing set-piece into the box which was scuffed over the bar by Goodwin, while her own low effort was comfortably claimed by Tullis-Joyce.

Leicester continued to threaten and United were nearly caught out when CJ Bott’s cross from the right came off the bar.

Moments later from the opposite flank Goodwin sent a low ball across the box which reached Tierney, but she fired over the top.

United then had a good opportunity when Malard broke down the left, but her low cross was cleared away and at the other end Nelly Las had a chance saved.

Substitute Hinata Miyazawa nearly wrapped the game up for United in the final moments after unleashing a powerful strike which whistled over the bar.