Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the major talking points from the second round of the Women's Super League, giving readers a deeper look at the stories that shape 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 Champions League in their inaugural European campaign and saw them reach three additional domestic cup finals.
Those achievements suggested a trajectory of steady progress and gave the club a platform to build upon. The reality now looks very different. Skinner has departed, and United sit at the very bottom of the WSL table, with a goal‑difference that is even worse than that of newly promoted Charlton Athletic.
After several years of incremental development, the side appears to be in clear decline. United are currently enduring their longest win‑less streak in the league since the team was re‑established in 2018 – six matches without a victory. The two opening defeats, while a small sample size, have already exposed serious problems.
Both losses came under the watch of new head coach Eva Olid, and the heavy defeats have immediately placed intense pressure on her tenure. It would be unfair to blame Olid entirely for United’s predicament. She inherited a squad that was already grappling with deeper issues than two poor results.
After a 5‑0 drubbing by Chelsea – a side that fielded a line‑up without a recognised striker – Olid said, "I don’t like the heads down. Heads up and we have to continue." Her comment underscores the need for a collective mindset shift. From this point forward, Olid must adopt a defiant stance, yet she also has a legitimate reason to question the level of support she receives from the club hierarchy. Internally, conversations about resources and backing are likely already taking place.
The lack of confidence displayed on the pitch mirrors a broader hesitancy within the club regarding its women’s programme. Criticism of Manchester United’s investment – or lack thereof – in the women’s side has been extensive. The club’s decision to focus on youth development, a cheaper model, rather than signing established talent this summer contributed to Skinner’s departure, which was publicly described as a mutual separation.
The 43‑year‑old coach had made it clear he wanted more tools at his disposal, and those requests were apparently met with resistance. If the challenge facing Olid was not obvious before, it has now been laid out in stark terms. United have matched the record for the fewest shots taken by a non‑newly‑promoted side in the opening two games, a record they share with Leicester City last season, a team that was relegated.
Every team undergoing a managerial change needs a period of adjustment, but United’s situation is particularly grim. They have failed in all 14 attempts to beat Chelsea in the WSL, and the recent 5‑0 loss is simply another chapter in a long‑standing pattern of defeat against the London club.
While United have rarely lost by such a wide margin, the solid foundation Skinner built now feels precarious. Next Saturday United face Arsenal on Sky Sports, and the list of areas needing improvement is long enough to be overwhelming.
The only realistic path forward is upward, but Olid cannot allow performances to deteriorate further. Chelsea, on the other hand, used their victory as a statement of intent. After being criticised for a 1‑1 draw with Aston Villa, Sonia Bompastor’s side responded emphatically, delivering a performance that reminded everyone of their quality. Bompastor summed it up: "When you have the opportunity to really hurt a team, the best way to respect them is to score as many goals as you can." Chelsea showed no mercy to United, and the result highlighted the gulf between elite and ordinary teams.
Lauren James continued to be Chelsea’s attacking focal point, but this week she faced strong opposition from midfielders such as Keira Walsh, Sjoeke Nusken and Wieke Kaptein, all of whom dominated duels. Full‑backs Katie McCabe and Ellie Carpenter provided width, allowing James to find space in central areas, while Lucy Bronze even ventured forward from centre‑back to deliver balls into the final third. James, however, capitalised on those opportunities, registering 19 shots in two games – a league‑leading total – and proving her value as a false nine when Chelsea lack a traditional striker. Bompastor will need to manage James wisely, using her as a spark rather than a constant solution, especially as Chelsea prepare for upcoming fixtures against Arsenal and Lyon in the Champions League, both of which will pose far stiffer challenges than United.
Another player who has caught my eye is Arsenal’s midfielder Emma Stanway. Returning to the WSL after a stint with Bayern Munich, Stanway has shown significant growth in her passing range. In her debut for Arsenal she completed 98 passes, and across the first two matchweeks she amassed 194 passes, only Liverpool centre‑back Grace Fisk surpassing that total. Remarkably, 91 of Stanway’s passes were into the final third, the highest figure in the league.
Such precision opens new creative avenues for Arsenal, reducing the reliance on Mariona Caldentey as the sole central playmaker. Stanway generated four clear‑cut chances that helped Arsenal break through against Crystal Palace, even though Alessia Russo was wasteful with them.
With Stanway supplying quality balls, Arsenal will have a more varied attack and will be less predictable. Overall, the early weeks of the 2024‑25 season have highlighted a stark contrast between clubs that are thriving and those that are struggling.
Manchester United must urgently address squad depth, tactical cohesion and mental resilience if they hope to reverse their slide. Investment in experienced players, a clear recruitment strategy and unwavering support from the club hierarchy could provide the catalyst needed to restore confidence. For Chelsea, the message is clear: dominance must be maintained, and reliance on a single star will not be enough when facing the continent’s best. Arsenal, meanwhile, appear to be reaping the benefits of a refreshed midfield, and if Stanway continues to develop, she could become one of the league’s premier distributors.
The Women's Super League remains a competition where fortunes can change rapidly, and the next few months will be crucial for every team mentioned. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1m! Enter for free.