Manchester United were easily beaten by eight-time Champions League winners Lyon in a fairly one-sided affair at Leigh Sports Village.

With a play-off spot for the knockout stages already secure, United boss Marc Skinner made five changes to the starting XI, leaving out several big names for the league-phase tie.

However, it was exploited by Lyon in a dominant first half in which United had just one touch in the opposition box - a header from Melvine Malard in the 40th minute that flew over the bar, despite being unchallenged.

Lyon were good value for their early lead, given to them by Tabitha Chawinga's diving header, and the visitors should have extended their scoreline on several occasions before the break.

They did make it 2-0 eventually when Melchie Dumornay curled in a superb strike with 10 minutes remaining, then added Lyon's third, finishing off a cross from the right to confirm a deserved victory for Lyon.

Skinner's changes at half-time - the introductions of England duo Jess Park and Ella Toone, and Sweden midfielder Julia Zigiotti - made a difference, but United still struggled to test Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler.

This is United's first season in the Women's Champions League main draw but Lyon's superior quality and experience was clearly evident on the night.

Jonatan Giraldez's side are yet to lose in the competition this season, sitting level on points with Barcelona in second place in the 18-team table with just one game remaining.

The top four qualify automatically to the quarter-finals, while teams sitting fifth to 12th are drawn in a two-legged play-off. United currently sit ninth, in an unseeded spot in the play-offs.

There were plenty questioning Skinner's selection before kick-off with Toone, Park, Zigiotti and Dominique Janssen among the notable absences from the starting XI.

With striker Elisabeth Terland unavailable, it was up to 37-year-old Rachel Williams to lead the line and she had just eight touches, losing the ball four times in the process.

She was not solely to blame given there was very little support from a struggling midfield and United as a unit failed to get out of their own half on enough occasions to cause any damage.

They were fortunate not to have conceded twice before Chawinga eventually put Lyon ahead – United full-back Jayde Riviere sliding in brilliantly to deny Ada Hegerberg, after blocking Lindsay Heaps' header at the back post moments before.

It was a selection gamble that ultimately did not pay off as Skinner, who said pre-match he had hoped to combat Lyon's physicality, had to make the desired changes at half-time.

Toone, Park and Zigiotti's introduction did make a difference as United carried more threat in the second half and were more direct, putting crosses into the box and moving the ball quicker.

Malard had an effort blocked on the edge of the box but Lyon were still able to hold United off with relative ease and eventually made their creativity count in a moment of brilliance from Dumornay.

With United's place in the knockout stage play-offs secure before kick-off there was room for a bit of rotation from Skinner but they were fortunate not to have been punished by a harsher scoreline.

Manchester United host Tottenham in the Women's Super League on Sunday, 14 December (14:30 GMT) before travelling to Juventus on Wednesday, 17 December (20:00 GMT).

Lyon travel to Le Havre on Saturday, 13 December (16:00 GMT) for their next league fixture before hosting Atletico Madrid in their final European league-phase match on Wednesday, 17 December (20:00 GMT).

Head here to get involved