Caroline Weir opened the scoring before Lauren Hemp doubled the advantage.

Julie Blakstad added a third before the interval and Alex Greenwood scored a fourth from the penalty spot.

City briefly went third in the table on goal difference but United reclaimed the spot with a goalless draw at Aston Villa.

Leicester have lost their last six games, conceding 32 goals and scoring just two.

Battle for European places intensifies

City came into the game knowing the task at hand: win by more than three goals to go above United and occupy the final spot for Champions League qualification.

Leicester arrived in Manchester in dismal form, having conceded 21 goals in their last four league games.

The game began as many anticipated with the hosts dominating possession but the Foxes opted for a low block as they tried to resist waves of City attacks.

For 16 minutes the plan was working, until Lucy Bronze released Chloe Kelly, who fed Weir to finish well for the opener.

Leicester showed no interest in pressing the ball high up the field as they remained resolute, despite trailing, but Hemp was the beneficiary as the Foxes failed to clear their lines.

The 21-year-old latched on to the loose ball to lift it over the onrushing Demi Lambourne for the second.

Leicester's resistance was broken and minutes later City were three up as Blakstad turned in.

When Hemp was brought down by Lambourne after the break, Alex Greenwood stepped up to roll the ball into the net with aplomb and victory was sealed.

Leicester's only attempt on target came from a Jemma Purfield free-kick just before the hour mark, but it was a comfortable save in an otherwise uneventful afternoon for Ellie Roebuck.

City laid down the marker and the draw for United means Gareth Taylor's side know three wins from their final three games will see them clinch the final European place.