Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the most pressing issues emerging from the second round of Women's Super League fixtures, offering readers a deeper look at the narratives shaping the women's game today. Manchester United experienced a landmark season under 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 secured places in three domestic cup finals. Those achievements suggested a club on the rise, a platform from which to build further success.
The reality now feels starkly different. Skinner has departed, and United find themselves perched at the bottom of the WSL table, with a goal difference worse than that of newly promoted Charlton Athletic. After several years of incremental progress, the team appears to be sliding backward. United are enduring their longest winless streak in the league since the women's side was re‑established in 2018 – six matches without a victory.
Their opening two defeats, while a small sample size, have already exposed serious weaknesses. Both losses came under the watch of new manager Eva Olid, putting immediate pressure on her tenure. It would be unfair to blame Olid entirely for United’s predicament. She inherited a squad already grappling with deeper structural problems.
After a 5‑0 drubbing by Chelsea – a side that fielded no recognized striker – Olid remarked, "I don't like the heads down. Heads up and we have to continue." Her call for confidence reflects the broader lack of belief that seems to permeate the club’s women’s programme. Olid must now adopt a defiant stance, but she also has a legitimate reason to question the support she receives from the club hierarchy. Internally, conversations about resources, recruitment strategy and long‑term vision are likely already underway.
The team’s on‑field hesitancy mirrors the club’s overall reticence to invest heavily in the women’s side. Criticism of United’s investment levels has been abundant. The decision to focus on youth development – a cheaper model – rather than bringing in established stars this summer was cited as a key factor in Skinner’s exit, which was publicly described as a mutual separation.
The 43‑year‑old coach had repeatedly asked for more tools and authority to compete at the highest level, requests that appear to have been met with resistance. If the challenges facing Olid were not crystal clear before, they have now been laid bare in a brutally stark fashion. United have matched the record for the fewest shots taken by a non‑newly promoted side across their first two games, a dubious distinction they share with Leicester City, who were relegated last season after a similar lack of attacking output. Every team needs an adjustment period after a managerial change, but United’s adaptation has been painfully slow.
Their inability to ever beat Chelsea in the WSL – 14 attempts and counting – underscores a chronic problem. The recent 5‑0 loss is not just another defeat; it is a continuation of a pattern where United fail to compete with the league’s elite.
The upcoming clash with Arsenal, broadcast live on Sky Sports, will be a crucial test. United have so many areas requiring improvement that it is difficult to prioritize. Perhaps the only direction forward is upward, but that will demand a rapid and comprehensive overhaul.
Olid cannot afford to let performances deteriorate further. Chelsea, on the other hand, used their victory as a statement of intent.
After facing criticism for a 1‑1 draw with Aston Villa, Sonia Bompastor’s side responded emphatically, reminding 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, exploiting United’s defensive frailties and reinforcing the gap between the league’s top and bottom tiers. Lauren James once again proved to be Chelsea’s offensive engine.
While other players such as Keira Walsh, Sjoeke Nusken and Wieke Kaptein dominated the midfield duel count, it was James who converted the chances into a humiliating five‑goal haul. Her 19 shots across two games lead the league, and she offers a versatile option as a false nine when Chelsea lack a traditional striker due to injury or form.
However, Bompastor must use James judiciously; reliance on a single player is unsustainable over a long season. Chelsea’s next fixtures – against Arsenal and then Lyon in the Champions League – will test whether their dominance can be replicated against equally formidable opponents. Turning back to United, one bright spot has been the emergence of Arsenal’s midfield dynamo, Emma Stanway.
Returning to the WSL after a stint at Bayern Munich, Stanway has already completed 98 passes on her Arsenal debut and amassed 194 passes in the first two weeks, with 91 directed into the final third – the highest in the league. Her vision and passing range provide Arsenal with a new creative outlet, reducing the reliance on Mariona Caldentey as the sole architect of attacks. Stanway’s influence was evident in Arsenal’s recent victory over Crystal Palace, where her precise distribution helped create multiple scoring opportunities, even if Alessia Russo failed to capitalise. With Stanway pulling the strings, Arsenal’s attack becomes less predictable and more difficult to defend against.
In summary, Manchester United’s early-season woes highlight a club at a crossroads. The combination of managerial turnover, insufficient investment, and a lack of confidence on the pitch has created a perfect storm. Eva Olid faces a daunting task: to rebuild belief, secure the necessary backing from the club, and develop a playing style capable of competing with the league’s powerhouses. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s emphatic win serves as a reminder of the standards United must aspire to, and Arsenal’s rising talents like Stanway illustrate how strategic player development can shift the balance of power.
The next few weeks will be pivotal for United; how they respond could determine whether this season becomes a footnote in a period of decline or the first chapter of a resurgence.