Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the headline stories emerging from the second round of Women's Super League fixtures, offering readers a deeper look at the pivotal narratives shaping the women’s game today. Manchester United experienced a watershed moment under former manager 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 adventure and secured places in three additional domestic cup finals. Those achievements painted a picture of steady progress and suggested a solid foundation on which to build. Fast forward to the present, and the picture is starkly different. Skinner has departed, and United now find themselves perched at the very bottom of the Women's Super League table, with a goal‑difference that is even worse than that of newly promoted Charlton Athletic.
After years of methodical development, the side appears to be in clear decline. United are enduring their longest winless streak in the league since the club’s re‑formation in 2018 – six matches without a victory. Although the sample size of just two opening defeats is small, both losses have exposed serious issues that demand immediate attention. The bruising defeats have placed fresh pressure on new head coach Eva Olid, who is only just beginning her tenure.
It would be unfair to lay the entire blame at Olid’s feet. She inherited a squad beset by problems that run deeper than two sub‑par 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 call for confidence is a necessary rallying cry, but it also hints at an underlying lack of belief within the group.
Olid’s defiant stance must now be matched by tangible backing from the club hierarchy. Internally, there are likely conversations about the level of support the women’s programme receives. The on‑field timidity mirrors the broader uncertainty that surrounds United’s commitment to its female athletes. Critics have long highlighted the club’s insufficient investment and waning interest in the women’s side.
During the summer, United opted to prioritise youth development – a cheaper model – over the acquisition of established stars. This strategic shift was one of the factors that led to Skinner’s departure, which was publicly described as a "mutual separation." The 43‑year‑old manager had openly expressed a desire for more resources and greater authority over recruitment, pleas that were apparently met with resistance from the board.
If the magnitude of Olid’s challenge was not evident before, it has now been laid bare in a harsh fashion. United have equalled the record for the fewest shots taken by a non‑newly‑promoted side over their first two league games, matching Leicester City’s dismal output from the 2022‑23 season – a campaign that ended in relegation. Adaptation periods are inevitable when a new coach takes charge, but United’s situation is compounded by a historic inability to overcome Chelsea in the WSL. They have failed in all 14 attempts to defeat the Blues, and the recent 5‑0 loss simply extends a pattern of frustration.
While losing by such a margin is rare for United, the result underscores how fragile the foundation built by Skinner now appears. Looking ahead, United face Arsenal on Sky Sports next Saturday.
The stakes are high and the areas for improvement are numerous, making it difficult to pinpoint a single starting point. The only realistic trajectory is upward, but that will require rapid learning, tactical adjustments, and perhaps a boost in morale. Olid cannot afford to let performances deteriorate further. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s victory served as a pointed reminder of their collective strength.
After a lacklustre 1‑1 draw with Aston Villa that drew criticism, manager Sonia Bompastor’s side responded emphatically, demonstrating that when they have the chance to dominate, they will do so decisively. "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 observed. Chelsea showed no mercy to United, exploiting every weakness and reinforcing the gap between elite and ordinary teams.
Lauren James continued to be Chelsea’s attacking fulcrum, but this week she was matched by the brilliance of others. Mid‑fielder Keira Walsh dictated the tempo, while Sjoeke Nusken and Wieke Kaptein won the majority of duels, adding physical presence in midfield.
Full‑backs Katie McCabe and Ellie Carpenter provided width and relentless runs, creating space for James to operate centrally. Even centre‑back Lucy Bronze contributed by advancing the ball into the final third, showcasing the fluidity of Chelsea’s play. James amassed 19 shots across two games – the highest in the league – and has shown the potential to function as a false‑9 when Chelsea lack a traditional striker due to injury or loss of form. However, Bompastor must manage James wisely, as relying on a single player each week is not a sustainable strategy.
Chelsea’s upcoming fixtures include a clash with Arsenal and a Champions League tie against Lyon later in the month, both of which promise tougher opposition than United. Turning to Arsenal, the resurgence of midfielder Freya Stanway has been a highlight of the early weeks. Returning to the WSL after a spell with Bayern Munich, Stanway has displayed an evolved range of passing and vision that benefited England during her international duties.
In her debut for Arsenal, she completed 98 passes, and across the first two matchweeks she logged 194 passes – only Liverpool centre‑back Grace Fisk exceeded that total. Remarkably, 91 of Stanway’s passes were directed into the final third, a league‑leading figure. Stanway’s precision opens new avenues for Arsenal, reducing the reliance on Mariona Caldentey as the sole creative outlet.
Her four key passes in the recent win over Crystal Palace helped the Gunners break through, although Alessia Russo failed to capitalise on many of those chances. Nevertheless, Stanway’s ability to supply quality balls should keep Arsenal threatening in future encounters.
In summary, Manchester United’s early-season struggles are a symptom of deeper structural issues, from limited investment to strategic choices that have left the squad under‑resourced. Eva Olid faces a daunting task: to restore confidence, improve tactics, and perhaps most importantly, convince the club hierarchy that the women’s programme deserves stronger backing. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Arsenal continue to set the benchmark for quality, showcasing why they remain at the forefront of English women’s football.