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. Manchester United experienced a landmark period 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 spots in three domestic cup finals. Those achievements suggested a club on an upward trajectory, a platform from which to build further success.
The current reality, however, could not be more different. Skinner has departed, and United now sit at the very bottom of the WSL table, possessing a worse goal difference than newly promoted Charlton Athletic. After several seasons of incremental progress, the side now 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. Although the sample size of two opening defeats is small, both games have exposed serious weaknesses that raise alarms for the newly appointed manager Eva Olid. The early setbacks have instantly placed considerable pressure on her tenure.
It would be unfair to blame Olid entirely for United’s predicament. She inherited a squad already burdened with deeper structural problems.
After a crushing 5‑0 loss to Chelsea – a side that fielded no recognised striker – Olid remarked, "I don’t like the heads down. Heads up and we have to continue." Her comment underscores a need for resilience, yet it also hints at an underlying lack of confidence that mirrors the club’s broader ambivalence toward its women’s programme.
Investments – or the lack thereof – have been a recurring theme in discussions about United’s women’s side. The club’s decision to focus on youth development, a more cost‑effective strategy, rather than bringing in established stars this summer was cited as a key factor in Skinner’s departure, which was publicly described as a mutual separation. Skinner, now 43, had openly expressed a desire for greater resources and authority, pleas that were apparently met with resistance from the hierarchy. If the scale of Olid’s challenge was not obvious before, it has now been laid out in stark terms.
United have matched the record for the fewest shots taken by a non‑newly promoted team over their first two fixtures, a dubious distinction they share with Leicester City’s relegated side from last season. While any team needs an adjustment period under a new manager, United’s situation feels particularly grim. The Blues’ dominance in the recent encounter was a reminder of their potency. After being criticised for a lackluster 1‑1 draw with Aston Villa, Chelsea responded emphatically, with manager Sonia Bompastor stating, "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, delivering a five‑goal thrashing that highlighted the gulf between elite and struggling sides.
Lauren James once again proved why she is Chelsea’s talisman. In this match she was supported by a midfield that included Keira Walsh, while Sjoeke Nusken and Wieke Kaptein dominated the duel count. Full‑backs Katie McCabe and Ellie Carpenter provided width, allowing James to exploit central spaces, and even centre‑back Lucy Bronze contributed by pushing the ball into the final third. James recorded 19 shots across two games – the highest tally in the league – and demonstrates the potential to function as a false nine when Chelsea lack a traditional striker.
Chelsea’s next challenges will be a clash with Arsenal followed by a Champions League tie against Lyon, both of which will test whether their attacking firepower can be sustained against higher‑calibre opposition. Turning back to the WSL, Arsenal’s newcomer Lotte Wubben‑Moy (formerly known as Stanway) has caught my eye. Returning to the league after a spell with Bayern Munich and a successful international career with England, her passing range has expanded dramatically. In her Arsenal debut she completed 98 passes, and across the first two matchweeks she amassed 194 passes – 91 of which were into the final third, the highest figure in the league.
Only Liverpool centre‑back Grace Fisk has logged more total passes. Stanway’s precision creates fresh avenues for Arsenal, reducing the reliance on Mariona Caldentey as the sole creative hub. Her four key passes in the recent win over Crystal Palace were more than enough to spark a breakthrough, even though Alessia Russo was uncharacteristically wasteful in front of goal. With Stanway supplying the ball, Arsenal’s attack should become less predictable and more threatening.
In summary, Manchester United’s early-season slump is a stark contrast to the optimism that surrounded the club after its 2024 triumphs. The combination of limited investment, a shift toward youth‑first recruitment, and the loss of a manager who demanded more resources has left the team scrambling. Eva Olid must now rally her players, restore belief, and deliver results before the situation deteriorates further.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s emphatic victory serves as a warning to all opponents about the level of performance required to compete at the top, and Arsenal’s emerging playmaker Stanway offers a glimpse of the creative spark that could lift her side in the weeks ahead.