Laura Hunter, a columnist for Sky Sports, breaks down the most pressing issues emerging from the second round of Women's Super League fixtures, giving readers a deeper look at the narratives shaping the women's game. Manchester United experienced a defining period under former manager Marc Skinner.
After clinching their inaugural major trophy in 2024, Skinner guided the team to the Champions League quarter‑finals in their very first European outing 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 a goal difference that is even worse than that of newly‑promoted Charlton Athletic. After years of incremental progress, the side appears to be sliding backward.
United are enduring their longest win‑less streak in league play since the club’s re‑formation in 2018, having failed to secure a victory in six consecutive matches. The two opening defeats – a small sample size, but telling – have exposed serious weaknesses. Both losses came under the watch of new head coach Eva Olid, instantly placing her under intense scrutiny.
It would be unfair to blame Olid entirely for United’s predicament. She inherited a squad already burdened with deeper structural problems.
After a 5‑0 drubbing by Chelsea, a team that fielded no recognised striker, Olid commented, "I don't like the heads down. Heads up and we have to continue." Her resolve must now be unwavering, but she also has a legitimate right to question the level of support she receives from the club hierarchy. Internally, such conversations are likely already underway. The lack of confidence displayed on the pitch mirrors a broader hesitancy within the club regarding its women’s programme.
Criticism has long been aimed at Manchester United for what many perceive as insufficient investment in the women’s side. The club’s strategic shift toward nurturing young talent – a cheaper, long‑term model – rather than recruiting established stars this summer is widely believed to have contributed to Skinner’s departure, which was publicly described as a mutual agreement. Skinner, now 43, had been vocal about needing more resources and authority to compete at the highest level; his requests were apparently met with resistance.
If the scale of the challenge facing Olid was not obvious before, it has now been starkly highlighted. United have matched the league record for the fewest shots taken by a non‑newly‑promoted team over their first two games, a dubious distinction they share with Leicester City, who were relegated last season after a similar output. Adapting to a new manager always entails a period of transition, but United’s situation is particularly grim.
They have never beaten Chelsea in the WSL, having lost all fourteen attempts. The recent five‑goal margin is unusual, underscoring how fragile the foundations built by Skinner have become. United’s next test comes against Arsenal on Sky Sports next Saturday – a match that promises to expose every shortfall and may force the team to rebuild from the ground up. Olid cannot allow performances to deteriorate further.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s emphatic win served as a reminder of their dominance. After a lacklustre 1‑1 draw with Aston Villa that attracted heavy criticism, manager Sonia Bompastor’s side responded with a clinical display. Bompastor summed up the philosophy: "When you have the chance to truly hurt a team, the best way to respect them is to score as many goals as you can." Chelsea showed no mercy, illustrating the gulf between elite and ordinary clubs. Chelsea’s forward Lauren James continued to be a potent weapon, registering 19 shots across two games – the highest tally in the league – and operating effectively as a false‑9 when the team lacks a traditional striker.
Her contributions, however, were complemented by the performances of others: Keira Walsh dictated the tempo, while Sjoeke Nusken and Wieke Kaptein dominated duels. Full‑backs Katie McCabe and Ellie Carpenter provided width, allowing James to exploit central spaces, and centre‑back Lucy Bronze even ventured forward to deliver balls into the final third.
This collective effort highlighted why Chelsea’s victory felt almost inevitable. Looking ahead, Chelsea will face Arsenal and then Lyon in the Champions League, both of which will pose far stiffer challenges than United. Their depth and tactical flexibility suggest they will not be as accommodating as United proved to be. Turning to Arsenal, the return of midfielder Freya Stanway has been a bright spot.
After leaving for Bayern Munich in 2022 and gaining valuable experience with the England national team, Stanway returned to the WSL as a more rounded player. In her debut for Arsenal, she completed 98 passes, and across the first two matchweeks she amassed 194 passes – the second‑most after Liverpool’s Grace Fisk – with 91 of those delivered into the final third, a league‑leading figure. Her precision and vision are opening new avenues for Arsenal, reducing the reliance on Mariona Caldentey as the sole creative hub.
Stanway’s ability to unlock defenses was evident in Arsenal’s recent win over Crystal Palace, where she created four clear chances. Although Alessia Russo was wasteful in front of goal, Stanway’s supply line ensures the Gunners will remain threatening in upcoming fixtures. Her development illustrates how strategic investment in youth can yield immediate dividends, a lesson United might heed. In summary, Manchester United’s early-season decline is a symptom of deeper issues: limited investment, a reliance on untested youth without adequate experienced support, and a lack of confidence that permeates both the squad and the broader club environment.
Eva Olid faces a daunting task of revitalising a side that has lost its competitive edge, while clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal demonstrate the benefits of balanced squad building and robust backing from their institutions. The coming weeks will be critical for United; they must halt the slide, rebuild confidence, and find a way to translate potential into results before the season’s momentum carries them further down the table.