Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the most pressing issues emerging from the second round of Women's Super League fixtures, giving readers an inside look at the narratives shaping the women's game. Manchester United experienced a landmark period 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 maiden European campaign and secured places in three additional domestic cup finals. All signs pointed toward a club on an upward trajectory, a platform from which to build further success. The reality today could not be more different. Skinner has departed, and United now sit at the bottom of the Women's Super League table, boasting a goal‑difference that is even worse than that of newly promoted Charlton Athletic.
After years of methodical development, the side appears to be in clear 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 results have exposed serious weaknesses that raise alarms for the new manager, Eva Olid, who now faces immediate pressure to turn things around. It would be unfair to lay the blame for United’s predicament solely at Olid’s feet.
She inherited a squad beset by problems that run deeper than two poor performances. After a 5‑0 drubbing by Chelsea – a side that fielded a line‑up without a recognised striker – Olid remarked, "I don’t like the heads down.
Heads up and we have to continue." Her defiant tone signals a willingness to fight, yet she also has a legitimate reason to question the level of support she receives from the club hierarchy. Internally, those conversations may already be taking place. The lack of confidence displayed on the pitch mirrors the broader hesitancy the club has shown toward its women’s programme.
Critics have long highlighted the insufficient investment and interest from the parent club. United’s decision to focus on youth development – a cheaper model – rather than bring in established talent this summer was cited as a factor in Skinner’s departure, which was publicly described as a mutual separation. Skinner, now 43, had repeatedly asked for more resources and greater control over player recruitment.
Those requests were apparently met with resistance, leaving the team with a thin squad and limited tactical options. If the challenges facing Olid were not obvious before, they have now been laid bare in stark terms. United have matched the record for the fewest shots taken by a non‑newly‑promoted side over their first two games, a dubious distinction they share with Leicester City, who were relegated after a similar start last season. 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 latest 5‑0 loss is simply another chapter in a long‑standing pattern of defeat against the London club. It is also rare for United to lose by such a wide margin, underscoring how fragile the foundation built by Skinner has become. Looking ahead, United travel to Arsenal next Saturday for a match broadcast live on Sky Sports.
With so many areas requiring improvement – defensive organisation, creative midfield play, and finishing efficiency – it is difficult to pinpoint a single starting point. Perhaps the only direction is upward. Olid cannot afford to let performances deteriorate further.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s victory served as a reminder of their collective strength when they are challenged. After criticism for a 1‑1 draw with Aston Villa, Sonia Bompastor’s side responded emphatically, with Bompastor noting, "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, exploiting every weakness.
Their display was a textbook example of elite teams capitalising on the mistakes of weaker opposition. Lauren James continued to be Chelsea’s attacking talisman, but this week she faced stiff competition from midfielders like Keira Walsh, Sjoeke Nusken, and Wieke Kaptein, all of whom dominated duels and contributed to the flow of the game. Full‑backs Katie McCabe and Ellie Carpenter provided width, allowing James to find space in central areas, while Lucy Bronze, playing from centre‑back, occasionally stepped into the final third to create chances.
James amassed 19 shots across two games – the highest in the league – and remains a potent option as a false nine when Chelsea lack a traditional striker due to injury or loss of form. However, Bompastor will need to manage James wisely, as relying on a single player each week is not a sustainable strategy. Chelsea’s upcoming fixtures include a clash with Arsenal and a Champions League tie against Lyon later in the month.
Both opponents will pose far greater challenges than United, making it unlikely that Chelsea will enjoy another easy win. Turning back to the WSL, Arsenal’s midfielder Freya Stanway has caught my eye in the opening weeks. Returning to the league after a stint with Bayern Munich, Stanway has evolved from a solid England international into a more dynamic playmaker.
In her debut for Arsenal, she completed 98 passes, and over the first two matchweeks she accumulated 194 passes – only Liverpool centre‑back Grace Fisk has logged more. Remarkably, 91 of Stanway’s passes were aimed into the final third, a league‑leading figure that highlights her vision and willingness to drive attacks.
Stanway’s precision opens up new avenues for Arsenal, reducing the reliance on Mariona Caldentey as the sole creator. Her four key passes against Crystal Palace helped the Gunners carve out opportunities, even though Alessia Russo was unusually wasteful in front of goal. With Stanway supplying quality service, Arsenal are unlikely to find themselves short of chances.
Overall, the early weeks of the season have exposed a stark contrast between clubs that are investing heavily and those that are struggling to keep pace. Manchester United’s slide to the bottom of the table underscores the risks of under‑investment and a lack of clear strategic direction. For Eva Olid, the task ahead is daunting: rebuild confidence, tighten the defence, and create a more threatening attack, all while navigating the club’s internal dynamics.
If United can harness the resilience shown by players like James and the tactical acumen demonstrated by coaches such as Bompastor, there is still a pathway back to respectability. However, without additional resources and a renewed commitment from the club’s leadership, the odds remain stacked against them. The season is still in its infancy, and football is rarely predictable. Yet the early indicators suggest that United must act swiftly if they hope to avoid a season that could become a cautionary tale for other clubs attempting to balance fiscal prudence with competitive ambition.
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