Manchester United's Women's Super League campaign begins with fresh leadership and a reshaped squad after a summer of significant upheaval at the club.
Head coach Marc Skinner departed after five years in charge, paving the way for the appointment of Spanish coach Eva Olid, who takes the reins on a two-year deal with an option for a third year. Olid, who turned 41 in late August, arrives on the back of a successful stint at Hearts, where she guided the club to their maiden Scottish Women's Premier League title in May and was subsequently named the SWPL's manager of the season. United's hierarchy reportedly targeted her for her proven ability to nurture and develop young talent.
"I always say: 'My life is football.' I don't have other things. I spend probably 24 hours every day on football. It's my life, my lifestyle and I give everything for the team and for the players. They always have me. Doubts, questions, [it] doesn't matter the time of the day, I'm going to be there for them. I want to make them better, and that is how I'm going to feel good as a coach, seeing the improvement, seeing that they are better, and of course, winning matches," Olid told MUTV.
The squad has undergone considerable change following the exits of Melvine Malard, Gabby George, Millie Turner and Lisa Naalsund, alongside the contract expirations of Leah Galton and Hannah Blundell. In their place, United have brought in Spain youth international defender Andrea Medina, former Germany youth international goalkeeper Janina Leitzig, and Swedish forward Monica Jusu Bah.
Bah arrives from BK Häcken for a reported fee of around £400,000 and is viewed as a key addition. The 23-year-old, capped 11 times for Sweden, scored 16 goals and provided seven assists last season while helping her former club lift the inaugural Women's Europa Cup title. She described the chance to work under Olid as "perfect" for her development.
Despite the turnover, United retain a core of quality, including England internationals Maya Le Tissier and Ella Toone, goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, midfielder Jess Park and Swedish wing-back Anna Sandberg. The club reached the Champions League quarter-finals last season but fell nine points short of qualifying for Europe again, a result seen as underwhelming given the squad's ability.
With rivals such as Tottenham and London City investing heavily in recruitment, competition for European places is expected to intensify, and pundits have tipped United to finish seventh this term, down from fourth last season. A top-half finish and deep cup runs appear to be realistic ambitions, with the club also said to be keen on making its style of play more attractive to supporters.
One player to watch is academy product Layla Drury, who became United's youngest-ever player and goalscorer when she made her debut in the Women's FA Cup in January at just 16 years old. This summer, at 17, she became the club's youngest player to sign a professional contract. Drury has since earned a call-up to England's Under-20 squad for the World Cup in Poland this September, scoring in the Young Lionesses' 11-0 warm-up win over New Caledonia. She previously represented Wales at youth level.
Off the pitch, the Glazer family retain majority ownership of the club, with Ineos, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, holding a minority stake and overseeing football operations. United's financial approach remains a talking point in women's football circles, with the club posting a profit of £397,000 in its most recent accounts, and a cumulative profit of £1.34m since the senior women's team was reformed in 2018 — a model some praise for sustainability, while others argue it reflects insufficient investment compared to rivals like Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City.
United continue to play home matches at the 12,000-capacity Leigh Sports Village, their base since 2018, though their final home league fixture against Arsenal in May is scheduled to be played at Old Trafford, pending any Champions League scheduling conflicts.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.