Manchester United's new era under head coach Eva Olid has begun under considerable strain, following a 2-1 opening-day defeat to London City Lionesses in the Women's Super League that exposed the scale of the rebuilding job facing the Spaniard.
United were second best for large stretches of Friday's clash in Bromley, unable to cope with the intensity of their opponents' press. A late goal from Simi Awujo offered only a token reduction in the deficit, and did little to calm growing unease among supporters about a squad now facing pressure from several rivals below them in the table.
Context matters, however. Olid was appointed with just three weeks to prepare her squad before the season opener, leaving her scant time to dismantle the tactical foundations laid by predecessor Marc Skinner. Her recruitment has also arrived late: forward Monica Jusu Bah did not join from Häcken until 28 August, while Rebeca Bernal's move from Washington Spirit was only confirmed on 2 September. Overall, United have made just four signings while losing seven players from the squad, leaving Olid working with a group many already considered thin before the summer.
The delays in both the managerial appointment and transfer business have left United trailing rivals who used the absence of a major summer international tournament to complete their squad-building early and enjoy a fuller pre-season.
Scrutiny of United's women's team has intensified partly due to comments from minority owner Jim Ratcliffe questioning investment in the side, comments that have fueled criticism of the club's broader commitment to the project. The club insists its approach is geared towards sustainable recruitment and developing younger talent, but such long-term aims sit awkwardly alongside the modest financial outlay that would be required, relative to United's overall resources, to meaningfully strengthen the squad.
Olid's move to Old Trafford carries a certain irony given her exit from Hearts of Midlothian, where she guided an initially part-time side to professionalism and a Scottish Women's Premier League title inside five years. She left the Edinburgh club after concluding that ambitions for European competition were not being matched by sufficient investment. Speaking to Catalan outlet Ara, she explained her decision to leave: