Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the major talking points from the second round of Women's Super League fixtures, giving readers a closer look at the narratives shaping the women's game. Manchester United experienced a watershed moment under Marc Skinner. After clinching their first major trophy in 2024, the former manager guided the team to the quarter‑finals of the Champions League in their inaugural European campaign and secured places in three domestic cup finals. All signs pointed to a club on the rise, 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 very bottom of the Women's Super League, sporting a goal difference that is worse than that of newly promoted Charlton Athletic. After years of incremental progress, the side appears to be in clear decline.
United are enduring their longest winless streak in the league since the team was re‑formed in 2018 – six matches without a victory. Their opening two defeats, while a small sample size, have already exposed deep‑seated problems. Both losses came under the watch of new head coach Eva Olid, and the bruising results have instantly heightened the pressure on her tenure. It would be unfair to lay the blame solely at Olid’s feet.
She inherited a squad riddled with issues that run far deeper than two poor performances. After a 5‑0 drubbing by Chelsea – a team that fielded no recognised striker – Olid said, "I don't like the heads down. Heads up and we have to continue." Her defiant tone reflects the need to rally the players, but it also hints at a possible lack of backing from within the club. Internally, conversations about the level of support may already be underway.
The team's lack of confidence on the pitch mirrors the broader hesitancy the club has shown toward its women’s programme. Criticism of United’s investment – or the perceived lack thereof – has been plentiful. The club’s decision to focus on youth development, a cheaper model than recruiting established stars, was cited as a key factor in Skinner’s departure, which was publicly described as a mutual separation. Skinner, now 43, made it clear he wanted more resources and authority to compete at the highest level; those requests were apparently met with resistance.
If the scale of Olid’s challenge was not obvious before, it has now been laid bare in a stark fashion. United have equalled the record for the fewest shots taken by a non‑newly promoted side in their first two games, matching Leicester City’s 2022‑23 tally – a season that ended in relegation. While a period of adjustment is normal for any team under a new manager, United’s situation feels particularly acute. Their 14‑match winless run against Chelsea in the WSL underscores a longstanding difficulty: United simply do not beat Chelsea, and they rarely lose by a five‑goal margin.
The solid foundation Skinner built now feels precarious. Next up United face Arsenal on Sky Sports next Saturday, a match that will test every facet of their game.
With so many areas needing improvement, it is hard to know where to begin. The only realistic trajectory is upward, but Olid cannot afford a further slide in performance. 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.
"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," Bompastor said, and Chelsea delivered. Their display was a reminder of the gap between elite and ordinary teams.
Lauren James once again proved to be Chelsea’s X‑factor. This week, however, she faced stiff competition from midfielders such as Keira Walsh, Sjoeke Nusken and Wieke Kaptein, who each dominated the duel count.
Full‑backs Katie McCabe and Ellie Carpenter provided width, allowing James to exploit central spaces, while Lucy Bronze even ventured forward from centre‑back to create chances. James accumulated 19 shots in two games – the highest in the league – and shows promise 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 schedule remains demanding, with upcoming clashes against Arsenal and Lyon in the Champions League.
Both opponents will present far tougher challenges than United, underscoring the importance of maintaining high standards. Turning to Arsenal, the return of Bethany Stanway has been a highlight of the opening weeks. After a stint with Bayern Munich, Stanway has come back to the WSL as a more complete player.
Her passing range has expanded, and she recorded 98 passes on her debut for Arsenal. In the first two matchweeks she amassed 194 passes, only Liverpool centre‑back Grace Fisk surpassing her total, and she delivered 91 passes into the final third – a league‑leading figure. This precision creates new attacking avenues for Arsenal, reducing the reliance on Mariona Caldentey as the sole creator. Stanway’s four key passes helped Arsenal break through against Crystal Palace, even though Alessia Russo was unusually wasteful with her chances.
Overall, the early stages of the season have highlighted a stark contrast between clubs that are investing heavily and those that are still finding their footing. Manchester United’s slide to the bottom of the table serves as a cautionary tale of how quickly progress can stall without sufficient resources and strategic vision. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s dominant performance illustrates the power of depth, experience, and a clear tactical philosophy. As the weeks progress, United must decide whether to double down on youth development or to seek immediate reinforcement to halt the decline.
Their upcoming encounter with Arsenal could provide a glimpse of what is possible when a team blends youthful energy with experienced leadership. For fans, the message is clear: the women's game continues to evolve rapidly, and clubs that fail to adapt risk being left behind. The next few fixtures will be crucial in determining whether Manchester United can arrest their slide or whether they will continue to drift further down the league hierarchy.