Manchester United Women are certainly undergoing a period of change, filled with triumph and turmoil alike. This battle-scarred team, spearheaded by the smart tactical approach of English manager Marc Skinner, showed tremendous character and skill all season long. Indeed, in a few instances they’ve even managed to fend off their opponents. Having only dropped two points from winning positions, they currently have the best record in the Women’s Super League (WSL). Their performance in this tournament has cemented them as one of the most dangerous teams to compete in women’s football.
In their most recent game against Manchester City, goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce made the shameful defense to Keorlin a loquacious third. This extremely important moment really underscored the team’s incredible defensive prowess. Manchester United Women have made an impressive mark defensively this season, managing the same amount of clean sheets as reigning champions Chelsea. This impenetrable defensive score is a huge reason why they dominate the league on both sides of the ball.
The other half of the story has been the incredible uniformity of the team’s lineup. Under Skinner’s leadership, they have heavily relied on their bottom six. This stability and cohesion is an underscoring character mark of their deep commitment to a nearly unparalleled constitution around a consistent starting XI. This consistency is reflected in their league standings, where they finished above Manchester City for only the second time in their history.
Crazy enough as it may seem, despite this success, Manchester United Women have had their challenges in spades. The team struggled with many burdens over the past few years. The single largest was a £50 million refurbishment of their training complex in Carrington. The period of renovations has left the team essentially exiled from their home, moving into ‘portacabins’ while their headquarters was renovated. Nonetheless, this dynamic shift has called for innovation and flexibility, not just for roster players, but for training staff as well.
Is Marc Skinner the right man for Manchester United Women? Perhaps this move is intended to showcase his strong teamwork and leadership as more cuts loom in these difficult fiscal times. Skinner appeared to speak with great confidence about his time before the INEOS working group. He is grateful for their support, but realizes that a much bigger financial commitment is necessary in order to compete with big boys like Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City.
“It’s huge. Moments like this make it all worth it. The next step is we have to recruit the right way,” – Marc Skinner
Skinner’s comments highlight the role of recruitment at a vital moment as the club aims to further progress from their successful 2022-23. The foundation of a great team is already there. If we want to actually compete for titles, we need to sign smartly this summer. Skinner is certainly hoping that earning the Champions League will make the club more enticing to potential new players.
“Champions League gives you that. People want to come to a Champions League team. Hopefully it opens that market for us.” – Marc Skinner
Manchester United Women are already looking towards the January transfer window. They are equally laser-focused on luring top talent away to further shore up their own squad. Their FA Cup win last season was a crowning achievement for an already successful team. They ended up in fifth place behind Liverpool the next season. This fluctuation is a testament to the competitive nature of women’s football and the drive for constant evolution and growth.
The future is looking good for Manchester United Women. Their sights firmly set on winning the Women’s Super League by 2028, inspirational targets from their coach Adam Burcham have driven them to become champions. With recent success and a firm base through their stout defense and organizational control, they’ve built an empire. Fast forward to today, and they’re poised to make a considerable impact in upcoming seasons.
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