Are Manchester United’s women being judged differently from other WSL clubs?
Manchester United’s women were in the headlines last week after the departure of former manager Marc Skinner, with the club having finished fourth in the Women’s Super League last season. The story has revived questions about investment, facilities and ambition at United since the women’s team was reformed as a professional outfit in 2018.
Criticism of Manchester United’s treatment of their women’s side has centred on quiet transfer windows, high-profile departures, a lack of silverware and scrutiny over facilities. Sources at the club have complained about media coverage, and The Athletic were banned from asking questions in a post-match huddle with Skinner.
Skinner left after months in which he had signalled frustration about resources, having led United to two top-three WSL finishes, three successive FA Cup finals, a first major trophy and a Champions League quarter-final at the first attempt. Opposition from sections of the club’s own support was visible in 2024 when fans displayed banners at Leigh Sports Village calling for his sacking, and criticism also focused on performances against WSL top-three rivals Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City.
United’s professional women’s set-up was established in 2018 with Casey Stoney appointed as manager and several England internationals recruited, including current Manchester City captain Alex Greenwood, to play in the second tier. Stoney stepped down in 2021 citing growing concerns over resources and the state of facilities, and despite producing one major trophy in eight years United are described in the source as being in danger of slipping below their rivals again this season.
Questions about training infrastructure intensified in 2024 when the women’s team were moved out of the Carrington site into temporary buildings to make way for the men’s first team. Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s remarks to the United We Stand fanzine — calling the men’s team the "main issue" and referring to the women’s side as "girls" and "an opportunity" — attracted further scrutiny.
Several coaching staff have departed: former assistant Martin Ho is now enjoying success as Tottenham manager, goalkeeping coach Ian Willcock left in April, and assistant Charlotte Healy became head coach at WSL 2 club Bristol City last year. On the playing side, England internationals Alessia Russo and Mary Earps and Spain full-back Ona Batlle left on free transfers, and this summer Melvine Malard moved to Chelsea for a fee of £850,000 with United yet to sign a replacement.
Other WSL clubs have faced similar examination: Spurs did not gain promotion to the WSL until 2019 and have spent time in lower and mid-table positions, West Ham remain the only WSL team not to have played at their men’s stadium and have been criticised for transfer-window investment, and Liverpool — who won back-to-back WSL titles in 2013 and 2014 — were relegated in 2020 and drew criticism over pitch conditions in 2019. In 2021 former Liverpool players Kirsty Linnett and Becky Jane took to social media to allege retracted contract offers, while Chelsea were criticised for capping spectators at Stamford Bridge for Women’s Champions League games and manager Sonia Bompastor called for better recruitment and more squad depth last season.
In summary, Manchester United have faced significant scrutiny, but they are one of many WSL clubs whose decisions and progress have been closely examined.
