Manchester United Women has progressed year after year, both on and off the pitch, since its inception four years ago.
Today, The Athletic looks at their progress relative to their domestic rivals in their quest for the Champions League.
By this time last year, United were a club in crisis. The coach, Casey Stoney, left along with several top-level players and questions arose about the facilities and conditions in which the women’s team had to train.
Rumors spread that players had to dress in portable booths in Carrington’s car park and a formal complaint was lodged against the club.
However, under new manager Marc Skinner, United worked to improve player conditions. He took them to fourth place in the league for the third year in a row.
However, the club harbors the ambition to finish in the top three and their actions in the summer make their intentions clear.
United signed a mix of experienced players and young talent, some of whom have already showcased themselves in the first two games of the season.
Maya Le Tissier had an incredible debut against Reading as the 20-year-old scored twice while Lucía Garcia scored her first goal for the club at West Ham.
Also joining the club were Grace Clinton, Adrianna Leon, who impressed in pre-season, Rachel Williams, Aissatou Tounkara and European Championship winner Nikita Parris.
As well as the new signings, they have also managed to convince captain Katie Zelem to renew her contract until 2024 along with Lionesses star Ella Toone, who proved just how indispensable she is with her performance off the bench at the European Championships this summer. .
“The hiring, some say, is a sign of the club’s intention and desire to qualify for the Champions League. Not qualifying for Europe’s elite club competition would be considered a failure,” says reporter Dan Sheldon.
Overshadowing the club’s successful summer was the loss of Jackie Groenen, who departed after the transfer window closed to sign for PSG, making it clear in her statement that it was a decision to further her own career as she was excited. to return to play the Champions League. .
Also, Alessia Russo has turned down a new deal with the Reds and may leave as a free agent next summer, but she is again a crucial member of the United setup and will be relied on for the Champions League.
Dan Sheldon pointed out that United may find it difficult to attract and retain these players due to the drastic difference in their wage bill compared to other clubs around them.
According to The Athletic, in the year ending June 2021 United’s wage bill was £1.5m compared to City’s £2.8m.
One of United’s biggest problems since its inception in 2018 is the lack of a female sporting director. John Murtough, the club-wide director of football, oversees things, while director of football finance Steven Deaville runs the women’s department.
Dan Sheldon goes on to say: “An intermediary, who asked to remain anonymous to protect his relationship with United, stated that the lack of a sporting director is unacceptable for a team that claims to have Champions League ambitions. Until this is rectified, United will continue to lag behind their rivals and current skepticism about how seriously the Glazer family take women’s football will remain.
However, that will soon change. Polly Bancroft will join the club as head of women’s football once she has completed her service at Brighton.
Your responsibilities will include recruiting, contract renewals, operations and logistics, and your first task may be to persuade Russo to stay.
As the club progresses behind the scenes and players put on performances on the field, aided by the success of the Lionesses, fans continue to root for the Reds.
Although attendance and ticket sales are on the rise across all WSL clubs at the start of this season due to the Lionesses’ victory in the summer, United always averaged higher than anyone else in the league and the record attendance set on Leigh at the opening. The weekend suggests things are only going to get better for the club in this area. Season ticket sales are up 55% over last year’s sales.
Transport links between Old Trafford and Leigh, which is 15 miles from the club’s home, have also improved this season. This season, a shuttle bus transports fans to the ground, costing £6 for adults and £4 for children, in a bid to boost attendance at the women’s games.
There is no doubt that United are making big strides off the pitch to try and catch up with rivals City, Chelsea and Arsenal, who have had much more time to build and improve their women’s team setup.
Will his advances behind the scenes continue to translate into results on the pitch? Only time will tell.
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