Predicted Position by Guardian Writers: 7th (Note: This reflects the average of our writers’ recommendations, not necessarily the opinion of Tom Garry)
Previous Season’s Finish: 4th
This pre-season has seen major changes at Manchester United, highlighted by the exit of head coach Marc Skinner after a five-year tenure, replaced by Eva Olid, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the club. The team has seen several key departures, including experienced players Melvine Malard, Gabby George, Millie Turner, and Lisa Naalsund, along with Leah Galton and Hannah Blundell, who left after their contracts concluded. However, the arrivals of Spain youth international defender Andrea Medina, former Germany youth international goalkeeper Janina Leitzig, and Swedish forward Monica Jusu Bah are expected to invigorate the squad.
Missing out on a Women’s Champions League spot by a margin of nine points last season was a letdown. With rival clubs making substantial investments over the summer, it appears more likely that United will be keeping an eye on challengers from fifth and sixth place rather than pushing for the title.
Tottenham and London City’s aggressive recruitment could pose a threat to United’s standing. Nonetheless, the team has not suddenly become ineffective. Having reached the quarter-finals of the European competition last season, the squad still possesses a wealth of quality international talent, despite the notable transfer of Malard to Chelsea. Key players like England internationals Maya Le Tissier and Ella Toone are expected to lead a squad that includes world-class goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, dynamic midfielder Jess Park, and promising wing-back Anna Sandberg from Sweden. A finish in the top half of the table seems attainable, and the club will aim for strong performances in domestic cup competitions. There is also an intention to enhance the entertainment value of their playing style for fans.
Similar to the men’s team, ownership of the women’s side lies predominantly with the Glazer family, while Ineos, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, holds a minority stake but oversees football operations. The financial history of the women’s team is a topic of debate within the sport; proponents view United as a model for running a professional women’s team sustainably, having reported a profit of £397,000 in their latest accounts and a total profit of £1.34 million since re-establishing their senior women’s team in 2018. Critics, however, point out the relatively lower investment from ownership when compared to rivals like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City.
Eva Olid was appointed on August 5, signing a two-year contract with an option for an additional year. The 41-year-old Spanish coach arrives following a successful tenure with Hearts, where she led the team to their first Scottish Women’s Premier League title in May, earning the accolade of manager of the season. The club’s leadership selected her based on her strong history of developing young talent.
Monica Jusu Bah, who has 11 international caps, is seen as a significant acquisition from BK Häcken, reportedly costing around £400,000. The 23-year-old played a key role in helping her previous club secure last season’s inaugural Women’s Europa Cup and expressed enthusiasm about joining United to work under Olid. Last season, she recorded seven assists and 16 goals, and the club hopes she will adapt quickly to the Women’s Super League (WSL).
Last season, United managed to defy underlying statistical expectations. Only Arsenal exceeded their attacking expected goals more, and only Manchester City conceded fewer relative to their expected goals against. Despite being ranked fourth in expected goal statistics on both ends, their combined variance of +9.86 makes them a difficult team to predict heading into this season.
Layla Drury, a product of the academy, made headlines as United’s youngest player and goalscorer when she debuted in the Women’s FA Cup at just 16. This summer, the 17-year-old became the youngest player to sign a professional contract with the club. She has been named to England’s Under-20 squad for the World Cup in Poland this September and recently scored for the Young Lionesses in an 11-0 victory in a warm-up match against New Caledonia. Previously, she represented Wales at the youth level.
“I always say: ‘My life is football.’ I dedicate nearly every moment of my day to it. It’s my lifestyle, and I am fully committed to the team and the players. They can count on me for anything, no matter the time. My goal is to help them improve, and that’s how I’ll find fulfillment as a coach—by witnessing their growth and winning matches,” Olid stated in an interview with MUTV.
Manchester United plays at Leigh Sports Village, which has a capacity of 12,000 and also serves as the home for the Leigh Leopards rugby league team and the club’s Under-21 men’s team. This venue has been their base since 2018 and hosted a quarter-final during the 2022 European Championships. United’s final home match in the WSL, scheduled against Arsenal in May, may require rescheduling if Arsenal progresses to the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League, as those matches are set for the same weekend.
On Friday, September 4, at 1 PM, Suzanne Wrack will engage with readers by answering questions related to the upcoming WSL season during a Guardian Conversations event.
