The new Women’s Super League campaign is just around the corner and Manchester United simply have to improve this season.
Manchester United fans have been focused on the men’s side after the start of the new Premier League season in August.
Erik ten Hag’s men have started the season with two wins and two defeats in the Premier League, something of a mixed opening.
United’s men take on Crystal Palace this Saturday evening, just hours after United’s women open their season.
Marc Skinner will lead out his side against West Ham United this weekend as United’s WSL season kicks off at Old Trafford.
Ahead of the new WSL, United in Focus takes you through the big talking points surrounding the Manchester United side…
How did last season end?
Skinner’s situation was actually similar to Ten Hag’s.
United enjoyed a superb 2022-23 season in the WSL, finishing second in the table and just two points behind champions Chelsea.
Last season was much trickier though as United slipped to fifth and even finished before Liverpool.
Skinner’s future came under scrutiny but he did win the FA Cup and has managed to save his job – eerily similar to Ten Hag.
Ineos and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have made it clear that the men’s team is their priority but Skinner certainly starts the season under the microscope.
Skinner signed a new one-year deal in May with the option of another year, giving Ineos time to assess his work this season without a long-term commitment.
The final day of last season was a rather embarrassing 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Chelsea just a week after the FA Cup success.
United need to start this season strongly or doubt over Skinner’s future will grow louder and louder.
Who has come and gone in the transfer window?
There have been two enormous departures over the summer.
Goalkeeper Mary Earps completed her departure from the club as she ran down her contract and signed for Paris Saint-Germain.
Earps followed in the footsteps of Alessio Russo in terms of leaving United on a free transfer with two top England internationals walking away.
Lifelong United fan Katie Zelem has also left the club despite captaining United for the last five years.
Zelem’s departure surprised many and the midfielder has headed off to the United States, signing for Angel City.
Spaniards Irene Guerrero and Lucia Garcia have left for Mexico, whilst Nikita Parris completed a deadline day exit to Brighton and Hove Albion just last week.
In terms of incomings, United turned Melvine Malard’s loan from Lyon permanent and snapped up Dutch international defender Dominique Janssen from Wolfsburg, adding valuable experience at the back.
United have also signed Norwegian forward Elisabeth Terland from Brighton and Hove Albion after 13 WSL goals last season.
Terland is only 23 and United will hope to see her take the next step having impressed last term.
United have also added young talent for the future in Celin Bizet, Anna Sanberg and Simi Awujo – just 22, 21 and 20 respectively.
One to watch
Terland is certainly an exciting capture but arguably the most exciting ‘addition’ to this side is Grace Clinton.
Clinton joined United from Everton in 2022 but has yet to make a WSL appearance for the club.
After shining on loan at Bristol City, Clinton took he game to another level on loan at Tottenham Hotspur last term.
Clinton scored four times in 20 WSL appearances for Spurs and has now picked up three caps for England.
Zelem’s exit leaves United seeking a new midfield star for the future and 21-year-old Clinton has shown the potential to be that player.
Tottenham wanted to keep Clinton but United managed to fend them off and the time has now come for her to really kick on and become a United star.
Prediction
United will be finding a new identity with Earps and Zelem gone and new leaders must step up this season.
Summer recruitment has been encouraging and much will be expected of new signing Terland in the United attack.
Whether that is enough to take United back into the WSL title race is another matter.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City look stronger than United right now and, as things stand, we have to predict a fourth-place finish this season.
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