Laura Hunter, a columnist for Sky Sports, breaks down the most pressing issues emerging from the second round of Women's Super League fixtures, offering readers an inside look at the narratives shaping the women's game today. Manchester United experienced a defining 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 club on an upward trajectory, a platform from which to continue building.
The current reality, however, could not be more different. Skinner has departed, and United now sit at the very bottom of the Women's Super League table, sporting an inferior goal difference even to newly promoted Charlton Athletic. After years of incremental progress, the squad appears to be in clear decline.
United are enduring their longest winless 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 weaknesses.
Both losses have placed immediate and intense pressure on new boss Eva Olid, who is only just beginning her tenure. It would be unfair to blame Olid for the depth of United's predicament.
She inherited a side burdened by problems that pre‑date her arrival. After a 5‑0 drubbing by Chelsea – a team that fielded no recognised striker – Olid remarked, "I don't like the heads down. Heads up and we have to continue." Her defiant tone acknowledges the challenge while hinting at a lack of confidence within the squad.
Olid's resolve must remain firm, but she has every right to question the level of support she receives from the club hierarchy. Internal discussions about resources and backing are likely already underway.
The lack of belief on the pitch seems to mirror a broader hesitancy within Manchester United’s leadership regarding the women's programme. Criticism of the club’s investment – or rather, the perceived lack of it – has been abundant.
United’s strategic shift toward developing youth, a cost‑effective model, rather than signing established stars this summer, was cited as a key factor in Skinner’s departure, which was publicly described as a mutual separation. The 43‑year‑old manager had clearly expressed a desire for greater tools and resources, pleas that apparently met resistance from the board.
If the scale of the challenge facing Olid was not obvious before, it has now been laid bare in a brutally stark fashion after just two games. United have matched the record for the fewest shots taken by a non‑newly promoted side in the opening two fixtures, equalling Leicester City’s low‑shot output from the 2022‑23 season – a campaign that ended in relegation. Every new manager requires an adaptation period, but United’s situation is far from a gentle transition. The team has failed in all fourteen attempts to beat Chelsea in the WSL, and the latest heavy defeat simply adds to a long‑standing pattern of being outclassed by the London club.
While United have rarely lost by a five‑goal margin, this particular result underscores how fragile the foundation built by Skinner now feels. Next weekend United face Arsenal on Sky Sports, a match that will demand a massive improvement in every department. With so many areas needing work, it is difficult to pinpoint a single starting point; perhaps the only direction is upward. Olid cannot afford a further slide in performances.
Chelsea, on the other hand, used their victory as a statement of intent. After being criticised for a lackluster 1‑1 draw with Aston Villa, Sonia Bompastor’s side responded emphatically, demonstrating the kind of collective power that can dominate a weakened opponent. 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, exploiting United’s defensive frailties and highlighting the gulf between elite and ordinary clubs.
Lauren James once again proved to be Chelsea’s offensive catalyst, while other players such as Keira Walsh, Sjoeke Nusken and Wieke Kaptein dominated midfield battles, topping duel counts and dictating tempo. Full‑backs Katie McCabe and Ellie Carpenter provided width, allowing James to thrive in central spaces, and even centre‑back Lucy Bronze contributed by advancing the ball into the final third. James has already recorded 19 shots across two league games – the highest total in the division – and offers a promising option as a false nine when Chelsea lack a traditional striker due to injury or loss of form.
Bompastor must manage James wisely, as over‑reliance could become a liability, but her current output underlines why Chelsea remain a formidable force. Chelsea’s schedule ahead includes a clash with Arsenal followed by a Champions League tie against Lyon later in the month, both of which will pose far greater challenges than United. Turning back to Arsenal, the resurgence of midfielder Freya Stanway has captured my attention.
Returning to the WSL after a stint with Bayern Munich, Stanway has evolved into a more complete player than the one who left England in 2022. Her passing range has expanded dramatically, and she has become a pivotal link in Arsenal’s build‑up play. On her debut, Stanway completed 98 passes, and across the first two matchweeks she amassed 194 passes – only Liverpool centre‑back Grace Fisk has logged more – with 91 of those delivered into the final third, the highest figure in the league. Such precision opens new avenues for Arsenal, reducing the reliance on Mariona Caldentey as the sole creative outlet.
Stanway’s four key chances already provided Arsenal with a breakthrough against Crystal Palace, although Alessia Russo failed to capitalise. Nevertheless, Stanway’s vision and distribution promise that Arsenal will continue to generate scoring opportunities even when other players are off form. In summary, Manchester United’s early-season woes reflect deeper structural issues, from insufficient investment to a squad that has not yet adapted to new leadership.
Eva Olid faces a monumental task of rebuilding confidence, tightening defence, and creating a more threatening attack if United hope to climb out of the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s dominant display serves as a reminder of the standards required at the top, and Arsenal’s midfield renaissance, highlighted by Stanway’s emergence, illustrates how strategic player development can reshape a team’s fortunes. The coming weeks will be decisive for all involved, and the narratives they generate will shape the rest of the season.