Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the headline‑grabbing storylines emerging from the second round of the Women's Super League, giving readers a deeper look at the narratives shaping the women's game today. Manchester United experienced a watershed moment under former manager Marc Skinner.
After clinching their first major trophy in 2024, Skinner guided the team to the quarter‑finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League in their debut European season and saw them reach three domestic cup finals. Those achievements suggested a club on an upward trajectory, a platform from which to launch further progress. Fast forward to the present, and the picture looks starkly different. Skinner has departed, and United now sit at the very bottom of the WSL table, sporting a goal‑difference that is worse than that of newly‑promoted Charlton Athletic.
After years of incremental building, the side appears to be in a clear state of decline. United are currently enduring their longest winless streak in the league since the team was re‑established in 2018 – six matches without a victory.
Although the sample size of two opening defeats is small, both games have exposed serious flaws that raise alarm bells for the club’s future. The early setbacks have placed immediate pressure on new boss Eva Olid, who is still finding her footing in the role.
It would be unfair to lay the blame for United’s predicament solely at Olid’s feet. She inherited a squad that was already grappling with deeper structural issues. After a 5‑0 drubbing by Chelsea – a side that fielded a line‑up without a recognized striker – Olid said, "I don’t like the heads down. Heads up and we have to continue." Her comment underscores a need for confidence and resilience, but it also highlights how the team’s morale has been eroded.
Olid must adopt a defiant stance moving forward, yet she is justified in questioning the level of support she receives from the club hierarchy. Internally, discussions about resources, recruitment strategy and long‑term vision are likely already underway. The lack of belief shown on the pitch seems to echo a broader hesitancy within the organisation regarding the women’s programme. Criticism over Manchester United’s investment – or perceived lack thereof – has been a recurring theme.
This summer the club opted for a youth‑development model, favouring cheaper, home‑grown talent over the acquisition of established stars. That decision is widely believed to have contributed to Skinner’s departure, which was publicly described as a "mutual separation". The 43‑year‑old manager had openly expressed a desire for more tools and resources to compete at the highest level, and it appears those pleas were met with resistance.
If the challenges facing Olid were not obvious before, they have now been laid bare in a harsh way after just two matches. United have matched the record for the fewest shots taken by a non‑newly‑promoted side in their first two games, a dubious statistic they share with Leicester City, who were relegated last season.
Adapting to a new manager always requires a period of adjustment, but United’s situation is compounded by a historical inability to beat Chelsea – they have failed in 14 attempts to secure a league win against the London club. The recent 5‑0 loss is simply the latest chapter in a long‑standing pattern of defeat against the Blues.
While such heavy losses are rare, they expose how fragile the foundation built by Skinner has become. Looking ahead, United face Arsenal on Sky Sports next Saturday. With so many areas needing improvement, pinpointing a starting point is a daunting task. The only realistic option may be to focus on incremental progress and aim to climb rather than accept the current bottom‑place status.
Olid cannot afford to let performances deteriorate further. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s dominant display served as a reminder of their collective strength, especially after they faced criticism for a 1‑1 draw with Aston Villa earlier in the week. Manager Sonia Bompastor responded emphatically, stating that when you have the chance to hurt an opponent, the best respect you can show is by scoring as many goals as possible. Chelsea showed no mercy to United, delivering a performance that highlighted the gulf between elite and ordinary teams.
Lauren James once again proved to be Chelsea’s attacking catalyst, while other players such as Keira Walsh, Sjoeke Nusken and Wieke Kaptein impressed with their work rate and duel counts. Full‑backs Katie McCabe and Ellie Carpenter provided width, and even centre‑back Lucy Bronze contributed to the final third. James has already recorded 19 shots across two league games – the highest tally in the competition – and offers a potent option as a false nine when Chelsea lack a traditional striker due to injury or loss of form. Bompastor will need to manage James wisely, as relying on her alone will not be sustainable week after week.
Chelsea’s upcoming fixtures against Arsenal and Lyon in the Champions League will test their depth and adaptability. In the opening weeks of the season, Arsenal’s midfielder Freya Stanway has caught the eye with her passing range. Returning to the WSL after a stint with Bayern Munich, Stanway has already completed 98 passes on her debut and amassed 194 passes over the first two matchweeks, only surpassed by Liverpool centre‑back Grace Fisk.
Ninety‑one of Stanway’s passes have been directed into the final third, a league‑leading figure that opens new attacking avenues for the Gunners and reduces the reliance on Mariona Caldentey as the sole creator. Stanway’s vision and precision have already contributed to Arsenal’s chances, although Alessia Russo was unusually wasteful in converting them.
Nonetheless, the improved supply line should keep Arsenal threatening opponents throughout the campaign. In summary, Manchester United’s early-season woes reflect a combination of managerial transition, insufficient squad depth, and broader club‑level ambivalence toward the women’s side. Eva Olid faces a steep climb to restore confidence and results, while rivals such as Chelsea and Arsenal demonstrate how strategic investment and player development can translate into on‑field success.
The next few weeks will be crucial for United to halt the slide and begin rebuilding a competitive identity in the Women’s Super League.