Olid says criticism is 'normal' after Man Utd's poor WSL start

Manchester United manager Eva Olid said on 18 September 2026 that it was "normal" to expect "constructive criticism" after her side's poor start to the Women's Super League season, following two opening defeats.

Olid, 41, joined Manchester United from Scottish side Hearts in the summer and took over after Marc Skinner's departure; she has been attempting to implement a new attacking, possession-based style. United lost 2-1 at London City Lionesses on the opening day and were beaten 5-0 at home by Chelsea last weekend.

United recorded just two shots on target across their opening games and registered less than 40% possession in both matches, statistics that have contributed to outside criticism of their performances. Asked if the criticism had affected her, Olid said: "Yes and no. That is part of the job. I don't think it affects me. "It is constructive criticism and that is normal. I understand that. The first two performances have not been good. "We are the first to say we are not happy. The other part is the part I don't understand - people wanting to hurt [us], but they are not going to. "People that understand football know that the beginning and how you start does not define how you end the season. We know the direction and what we are doing will give us success in the long term. "So yeah, I'm good. The only thing that is important for me is the players. I'm worried always that they need to feel good and strong, nothing else."

Olid described the current period as a difficult start to the season and framed it as part of a learning process, saying: "Yeah, football is like life. You have good moments and difficult moments. I think all the teams in the season have a difficult moment. Ours is the start." The club sit bottom of the table with zero points and one goal scored.

She has urged players to retain the defensive strengths developed under Skinner, which had previously taken the club to the Champions League quarter-finals, while gradually introducing her preferred style. "My main message [to the players] has been about them being themselves. They are not showing in the first two matches who they are and what they can do," Olid said, adding: "They cannot forget what they were good at before. At the same time, little by little, we need to implement the new style." She also warned about players "overthinking", saying: "But it's impossible to be doing everything. The players have been so focused and thinking a lot – overthinking maybe – trying to do everything and in the end, they don't do anything because they are not expressing themselves like I know they can."

Arsenal manager Renee Slegers commented on Olid's short time in charge, stating: "As a coach it's a decision you make – are you going to change things straight away or are you going to have another approach where, over time, you look to try to change things progressively?" She added: "That's probably the balance for her. I don't know what her philosophy is but I imagine it's a challenge. I understand the disappointment from a fan perspective - but there has been so little time."

United travel to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal on Saturday (17:30 BST); Arsenal are unbeaten in 19 WSL games and United have not won there since November 2022.