Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the headline‑grabbing moments from the second round of the Women’s Super League, pulling the most important narratives of the women’s game into sharper focus. Manchester United experienced a watershed under former manager Marc Skinner. In 2024 the club lifted its first major silverware, guided the side to the Champions League quarter‑finals in its maiden European foray, and reached three additional domestic cup finals.
Those achievements suggested a trajectory of steady growth and gave the team a solid platform from which to launch the next season. Fast forward to the present, and the picture looks dramatically different. Skinner has departed, and United now sit at the very bottom of the WSL table, sporting a goal‑difference that is even poorer than that of newly promoted Charlton Athletic.
After years of incremental building, the squad appears to be sliding into a noticeable decline. The Red Devils are currently enduring their longest winless streak in the league since the team was re‑established in 2018 – six matches without a victory. The two opening defeats, while a small sample size, have already exposed several worrying trends.
Both losses came under the stewardship of new boss Eva Olid, and the heavy defeats have immediately amplified the pressure on her nascent tenure. It would be unfair to lay the blame for United’s predicament squarely at Olid’s feet. She inherited a group of players and a set of systemic problems that run deeper than a couple of poor results.
After a 5‑0 drubbing by Chelsea – a side that fielded a line‑up without a recognised striker – Olid said, "I don’t like the heads down. Heads up and we have to continue." Her comments underline a need for confidence and resilience, but they also hint at an underlying lack of belief that has seeped into the squad.
Olid must now adopt a defiant stance, yet she also has a legitimate reason to question the level of backing she receives from the club hierarchy. Internal conversations about resources, recruitment policy and strategic direction are likely already underway.
The team’s on‑field timidity mirrors a broader sense of hesitation that seems to surround United’s women’s programme as a whole. Criticism of Manchester United’s investment – or perceived lack thereof – has been a recurring theme.
This summer the club chose to focus on youth development, an approach that is financially prudent but arguably less competitive than signing established stars. That decision was a key factor in Skinner’s departure, which was publicly framed as a mutual separation. The 43‑year‑old manager had openly expressed a desire for more tools and greater authority to shape the squad, and it appears those requests were met with resistance.
If the scale of the challenge facing Olid was not crystal clear before, it has now been laid bare in a stark fashion. United have matched the league 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 from the 2022‑23 season, a campaign that ended in relegation. All teams experience an adjustment period when a new manager arrives, but United’s situation is compounded by a historic inability to beat Chelsea in the WSL. They have lost all 14 previous meetings, and the recent 5‑0 loss is simply an extension of that bleak record.
While the margin of defeat is unusually large, the underlying pattern – an inability to compete with the league’s elite – remains unchanged. The solid foundation laid by Skinner now feels fragile.
United travel to Arsenal next Saturday for a live Sky Sports showdown, and the list of areas requiring improvement is extensive. From defensive organisation to creative midfield play, the team must find a way to turn the tide quickly, because there is little room for further decline. Chelsea, on the other hand, used their victory as a statement of intent. After a disappointing 1‑1 draw with Aston Villa that attracted criticism, Sonia Bompastor’s side responded emphatically, reminding opponents of their firepower.
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 to United, delivering a performance that was both clinical and ruthless. Lauren James continued to be the focal point of the Blues’ attack, while midfield dynamo Keira Walsh dictated tempo.
Arsenal’s Dutch duo Sjoeke Nüsken and Wieke Kaptein were relentless in duels, and full‑backs Katie McCabe and Ellie Carpenter provided width that allowed James to exploit central spaces. Even centre‑back Lucy Bronze ventured forward, delivering balls into the final third that James turned into shots. James has already recorded 19 attempts in just two league games – the highest tally in the competition – and she offers a versatile option as a false nine when Chelsea lack a traditional striker due to injury or form.
However, Bompastor will need to manage James’s usage wisely, as relying on a single player week after week is unsustainable. Chelsea’s upcoming fixtures include a clash with Arsenal and a Champions League tie against Lyon later in the month. Both opponents will present a sterner test than United, underscoring the gap between the league’s top tier and the struggling Red Devils. Another player who has caught my eye is Arsenal midfielder Lotte Wubben‑Moyano (formerly known as Lotte Stanway).
Returning to the WSL after a spell with Bayern Munich, she has displayed an evolved range of passing that benefits both club and country. In her debut, Stanway completed 98 passes, and across the first two matchweeks she amassed 194 passes – second only to Liverpool centre‑back Grace Fisk.
Remarkably, 91 of those passes were directed into the final third, a league‑leading figure. Her precision creates fresh attacking avenues for Arsenal and reduces the reliance on Mariona Caldentey as the sole creative outlet.
Stanway generated four clear chances in the recent win over Crystal Palace, illustrating how her vision can unlock stubborn defences. While Alessia Russo failed to capitalise on many of those opportunities, Stanway’s supply line ensures Arsenal will remain a threat throughout the season. In summary, Manchester United find themselves at a crossroads just weeks into the campaign. A combination of managerial change, limited investment, and a loss of confidence has left the side at the bottom of the table.
Eva Olid must rally her players, secure the club’s backing, and begin to rebuild the foundations that once promised progress. Meanwhile, Chelsea continue to assert their dominance, using heavy defeats as a platform to demonstrate why they are among the elite. The coming weeks will be decisive for both clubs as they strive to shape their narratives for the rest of the season.