Manchester United Women: Overcoming Challenges and Building for the Future

The challenges faced by Manchester United’s women’s team during the first half of this season cannot be overstated. Under the guidance of Marc Skinner, the team has established itself as one of the premier squads in England over the past few years, successfully transforming the traditional ‘big three’ of Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City into a formidable ‘big four.’ However, the next phase of their development, which includes regular title contention in the Women’s Super League (WSL) and consistent participation in the Champions League, requires a larger and more talented squad.

Despite securing their first major trophy by defeating Tottenham in the 2024 FA Cup final and qualifying for the Champions League group stage for the first time this season, Manchester United entered the campaign with a concerning lack of squad depth. This issue was starkly highlighted by the fact that only Twente utilized fewer players during the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) league phase than the Red Devils.

Injuries further exacerbated their struggles, a common challenge for top teams, especially those with many senior internationals juggling fixtures for their countries alongside club commitments. United, however, experienced a particularly harsh impact from absences. During their Champions League qualifier against Hammarby in August, Skinner could only name two senior outfield players on the substitutes’ bench. This situation drew considerable criticism regarding the club’s inactivity during the summer transfer window, especially following a lackluster five-player bench in a WSL match against Liverpool a month later.

Carla Ward, the current Ireland manager, expressed her disappointment while providing commentary for Sky Sports, stating, “I think Manchester United have let the women’s team down this year. They have an opportunity to bring in more players as they are competing in the Champions League and across all domestic competitions. Skinner is constrained by a thin bench with limited options.”

Despite the absence of key players such as Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Gabby George, Fridolina Rolfo, Simi Awujo, Leah Galton, Jayde Riviere, Celin Bizet, and Millie Turner for various periods this season, alongside other minor injuries, the team has performed commendably. While the WSL title may seem out of reach given a nine-point deficit to league leaders Manchester City, the Red Devils remain in contention for European football next season, standing just one point and one place outside the top three. They successfully navigated the Champions League league phase and are poised to advance to the quarter-finals, needing to defeat Atletico Madrid—an opponent they have previously bested this season. In addition, they are also competing in the League Cup semi-finals, with their inaugural FA Cup match scheduled for later this month.

The achievements thus far deserve immense recognition, reflecting well on both the squad and the coaching staff, particularly in light of the successful acquisitions made last summer. While discussions continue about the need for further recruitment, it is important to acknowledge the positive contributions of new signings, such as Rolfo, who has scored crucial goals; Jess Park, who has excelled in a new wide role; and Julia Zigiotti Olme, who has exhibited remarkable consistency in midfield.

Although the team has faced difficulties, especially just before the winter break when they secured only two victories over a seven-game span, rapid action in the transfer window can help alleviate those challenges moving forward. “The quality of my squad is not the issue right now,” Skinner emphasized last month while addressing the need for January signings. “What we require is support and an increase in quality numbers. I don’t wish to undermine my squad; I truly value the players and their contributions. Our goal is to expand the team, not to replace anyone.”

This strategy of enhancing the squad rather than simply replacing players has been evident with the recent additions. The acquisition of Lundkvist, while not a high-profile signing, may prove to be one of the most significant additions of the season as she bolsters a right-back position that has needed depth. Riviere, who has performed admirably since her arrival in early 2023, cannot be expected to play every minute without risking injury, making Lundkvist a valuable option for Skinner.

Conversely, the signing of Schuller was somewhat unexpected, as many did not perceive the center-forward position as an immediate priority for reinforcement. However, acquiring the 28-year-old, known for her prolific goal-scoring, demonstrates a strong intent to elevate the team’s attacking capabilities and provide greater flexibility in squad selection.

Ultimately, there is still much work ahead for Manchester United this month. Skinner has articulated the need for “three or four” additional signings to ensure the team can compete robustly across all four competitions in the second half of the season. Nevertheless, the swift and assertive actions taken in the transfer window are a positive development for the club, compensating for their earlier lack of activity.

Despite the commendable performances seen in the first half of the season, the squad’s size has often limited their potential during key moments. The recent signings of Lundkvist and Schuller have already raised that ceiling, just in time for a crucial upcoming match against Arsenal. Continued reinforcement is necessary, and if the club manages to secure further signings, the latter half of the season could prove to be truly remarkable for this team.