Manchester United Women Football Club is a professional football club based in Leigh, Greater Manchester, England, that competes in the Women's Super League (WSL), the top tier of English women's football, after gaining promotion from the Championship at the end of the 2018–19 season.
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Full name | Manchester United Women Football Club | |||
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Nickname(s) | The Red Devils | |||
Founded | 28 May 2018 | |||
Ground | Leigh Sports Village | |||
Capacity | 12,000 | |||
Owner | Manchester United plc (75%) INEOS (25%) | |||
Co-chairmen | Joel and Avram Glazer | |||
Head coach | Marc Skinner | |||
League | Women's Super League | |||
2023–24 | WSL, 5th of 12 | |||
Website | Club website | |||
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History
edit1970s–2001: Unofficial teams
editRatified in 1921, the ban by The Football Association prohibiting women's football from being played at any of its clubs was formally lifted in 1971.[1]
An unofficial team called United Ladies of Manchester was formed circa 1970[specify] by a group of Stretford Enders. They trained at the club's training ground, The Cliff, and arranged matches against other clubs' unofficial women's teams. Matt Busby, manager of the men's team at the time, was reportedly supportive.[citation needed]
Manchester United Supporters Club Ladies began operations in the late 1970s and was unofficially recognised as the club's senior women's team. In their earliest form they were a charity team that played fundraising matches and played its first game in October 1977. In 1979, the team joined the Three Counties League under the auspices of the Women's Football Association and started playing competitively. With the league covering a large area, United's committee campaigned for a local league and in 1982 the Women's FA approved the creation of the Manchester & District League, of which Manchester United Supporters Club Ladies was a founding member and won the first three seasons.[2] In 1989, the combined Manchester & Merseyside League, North West Women's League, and the Three Counties League merged to form the North West Women's Regional Football League. The league was spread across four divisions and included 42 teams. At the same time, the team approached Manchester United F.C. for support and more formal backing. The club agreed and the team was allowed to use the name Manchester United Ladies FC, matches were advertised in the club's programme and the team was allowed to train at The Cliff.[3][4] The team became increasingly competitive throughout the 1990s at various levels of the FA Women's National League up until 2001.[5]
2001–2005: Partnership and disbandment
editIt's very disappointing. The progress of women's football can be really helped by professional clubs taking women's teams under their umbrella and it's a blow to the game that a great club like Manchester United will no longer be doing this.
—Ray Kiddell, FA vice-chairman, 2005[6]
In 2001, the team formed an official partnership with Manchester United. However, the club began to stagnate with a string of successive mid-table finishes in the third division.[4] The team were disbanded four years later, in 2005, shortly after Malcolm Glazer's completed takeover with the new regime deeming the women's team to not be part of the "core business" and unprofitable.[7] A media spokesman for Manchester United also claimed the club wanted to focus on its women's academy instead of its senior team.[6]
2018–present: Current team
editIn March 2018, Manchester United announced their intentions to reintroduce a women's football team.[8] Manchester United Women Football Club were founded on 28 May 2018, following the club's successful application to join the newly-formed 2018–19 FA Women's Championship.[9][10] It marked the club's return to women's football after a thirteen-year absence; though the club's academy continued via the Manchester United Foundation, with the likes of Izzy Christiansen and Katie Zelem being produced by United's Centre of Excellence academy.[6][11] Casey Stoney was appointed as the club's first head coach on 8 June,[12] with their inaugural 21-player squad announced just over a month later.
The team's first game back was on 19 August 2018, where they won 1–0 in an away game against Liverpool in the FA Women's League Cup, with Lizzie Arnot scoring their first competitive goal in thirteen years.[13] Three weeks later, their opening Championship encounter ended in a 12–0 victory away to Aston Villa.[14] On 17 April 2019, United secured promotion to the FA Women's Super League following a 5–0 win against the same opposition.[15] They clinched the FA Women's Championship title three days later following a 7–0 win at home to Crystal Palace.[16] In May 2019, Manchester United were named FA Women's Championship Club of the Year at the 2019 FA Women's Football Awards.[17]
The 2019–20 season was the team's maiden FA WSL campaign. The season opener was a Manchester derby, held at the City of Manchester stadium. Manchester City won the match 1–0 in front of a then league record attendance of 31,213.[18][19] United's first top-flight campaign was ended prematurely after the season was curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic with the team awarded fourth place on a points per game basis.[20] The last game was a 3–2 victory over Everton on 23 February 2020, with Leah Galton scoring twice and Ella Toone scoring once for Manchester United in the first game played at Everton's new Walton Hall Park stadium.[21] In the FA Cup, Manchester United lost 3–2 to Manchester City in the fourth round, the first time they had lost in the first knockout round of a competition.[22] However, they repeated their best League Cup finish by reaching the semi-finals for the second consecutive year, losing 1–0 to eventual cup winners Chelsea.[23]
Manchester United Women played their first game at Old Trafford, against West Ham United, during the men's March 2021 international break.[24] Manchester United won the game 2–0.[25]
On 12 May 2021, Manchester United announced that Casey Stoney would stand down from her role as head coach at the end of the season.[26] On 29 July 2021, Marc Skinner was announced as the new head coach on a two-year contract, with the option for a further year.[27] Skinner confirmed in March 2023 that the 12-month extension option was triggered, keeping him at the club until 2024.[28] Later that season the team reached a major cup final for the first time, losing 1–0 to Chelsea in the 2023 Women's FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.[29] After finishing as runners-up in the WSL, the team qualified for the UEFA Women's Champions League for the first time ahead of the 2023–24 season. United were drawn against Paris Saint-Germain in the second qualifying round and earned a 1–1 draw at home before a 3–1 defeat in the second leg ended the debut European campaign.[30]
On 12 May 2024, United defeated Tottenham Hotspur 4–0 in the 2024 Women's FA Cup final to win their first major title.[31]
For the 2024–25 season the club will play three games at Old Trafford, an increase from two which they had played in the previous two seasons.[32]
Ground
editFollowing the club's acceptance into the 2018–19 FA Women's Championship, it was revealed that the women's team would be based in Broughton, Salford at The Cliff training ground; subject to completion of redevelopment work.[10] United were to play their fixtures at Leigh Sports Village until this was completed,[33] however the stadium has become the club's official home ground as the return to The Cliff never materialised. Moss Lane served as a backup venue, during the teams early years, when Leigh Sports Village is unavailable.[34] Ewen Fields has also been used as a contingency plan, hosting United's FA Cup fifth round match against London Bees in February 2019.[35] In March 2021, it was announced that the women's team would play their first ever game at Old Trafford later that month against West Ham United.[36] In March 2022, the team played for the second time at Old Trafford and the first with fans present, beating Everton 3–1 in front of a club record 20,241 fans.[37]
Players
editCurrent squad
edit- As of 16 August 2024[38]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Player of the Year
editSeason | Player of the Year | Players' Player of the Year | ||||||||
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Name | Nationality | Position | Notes | Ref. | Name | Nationality | Position | Notes | Ref. | |
2018–19 | Katie Zelem | England | Midfielder | Inaugural winner | [39] | — | ||||
2019–20 | Hayley Ladd | Wales | Midfielder | [40] | ||||||
2020–21 | Ona Batlle | Spain | Defender | First non-British winner | [41] | |||||
2021–22 | Ella Toone | England | Midfielder | [42] | Alessia Russo | England | Forward | Inaugural winner | [43] | |
2022–23 | Alessia Russo | England | Forward | First to win both awards | [44] | Hannah Blundell | England | Defender | [45] | |
2023–24 | Ella Toone | England | Midfielder | First repeat winner and first to win both awards in the same season | [46] | Maya Le Tissier | England | Defender | First shared award | [47] |
Ella Toone | England | Midfielder |
Coaching staff
editFirst-team
edit- As of 22 November 2023.
Position | Staff |
---|---|
Head coach | Marc Skinner |
Assistant coaches | Dan Bale[48] Charlotte Healy |
Goalkeeping coach | Ian Willcock[49] |
Strength & conditioning coach | Tommy Munday |
Higher management
editPosition | Staff |
---|---|
Director of football | Dan Ashworth[50] |
Head of women's football | Matt Johnson (interim)[51] |
For a full list see Management of Manchester United F.C. |
Managerial statistics
editInformation correct as of 18 May 2024. Only competitive matches are counted.
Image | Name | Nationality | From | To | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Win%[nb 1] | Honours | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Casey Stoney | England | 8 June 2018 | 16 May 2021 | 77 | 52 | 6 | 19 | 213 | 60 | 67.53 | 1 Championship title | [12][52] | |
Marc Skinner | England | 29 July 2021 | present | 94 | 58 | 18 | 18 | 212 | 97 | 61.70 | 1 FA Cup title | [53] |
Honours
editSeasons
editKey
edit- QR2 = Second qualifying round
- GS = Group stage
- QF = Quarter-finals
- SF = Semi-finals
Champions | Runners-up | Promoted | Relegated |
Season summary
editSeason | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Champions League | Top goalscorer[nb 2] | |||||||||
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Division | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Pos | Name | Goals | ||||
2018–19 | Championship | 20 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 98 | 7 | 55 | 1st | QF | SF | N/A | Jessica Sigsworth | 18 |
2019–20 | WSL | 14 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 24 | 12 | 23 | 4th | R4 | SF | Lauren James | 9 | |
2020–21 | WSL | 22 | 15 | 2 | 5 | 44 | 20 | 47 | 4th | R5 | GS | Did not qualify | Ella Toone | 10 |
2021–22 | WSL | 22 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 45 | 22 | 42 | 4th | R5 | SF | Alessia Russo | 11 | |
2022–23 | WSL | 22 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 56 | 12 | 56 | 2nd | RU | GS | Alessia Russo | 13 | |
2023–24 | WSL | 22 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 42 | 32 | 35 | 5th | W | GS | QR2 | Nikita Parris | 16 |
Records
editReserves and academy
editDespite not having a senior women's team for many years, Manchester United have continued to run a girls regional talent club up to under-16 level in accordance with FA regulations.[54] The club's partner charity, The Manchester United Foundation, also works in coaching girls at all ages across the Greater Manchester region.[4] Ahead of the 2019–20 season, Manchester United entered a full-time U21 team into the FA WSL Academy League for the first time, managed by Charlotte Healy.[55][56] The club's development team had contested the WSL Academy Cup final against Arsenal the previous season.[57]
Under-21 squad
editNote: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
editNote: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Academy manager history
editPosition | Staff |
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Under-21s manager | Charlotte Healy[55] (2019–present) |
Academy honours
editUnder-21 Team
- Professional Game Academy
- FA WSL Academy League
- FA WSL Academy Cup: 1
- 2021–22[62]
Under-16 Team
- U16 Professional Game Academy Cup: 1
- 2023–24
Academy graduates
editThe following is a list of academy players who have made senior team appearances. Bold indicates the player is still at the club.
Notes
edit- ^ Win% is rounded to two decimal places
- ^ Goals in all competitions (FA Women's Championship or Women's Super League, Women's FA Cup, FA Women's League Cup and UEFA Women's Champions League are counted.)
References
edit- ^ "History of women's football". www.thefa.com.
- ^ "Women's Football in Trafford · Manchester United". Exploring Trafford's Heritage.
- ^ Turner, Kate (30 April 2018). "Hidden History of Women's Football at Manchester United". Unlocking the hidden history of women's football.
- ^ a b c Wigmore, Tim (7 November 2017). "Why Do Manchester United Still Not Have a Women's Team?". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
- ^ "From A Left Wing: The Ladies of Old Trafford". From A Left Wing. 29 July 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
- ^ a b c Leighton, Tony (21 February 2005). "United abandon women's game to focus on youth". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- ^ Manchester Evening News (20 June 2005). "'United gave us a water bottle and then they dumped us'". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
- ^ Sports staff (22 March 2018). "Manchester United announce women's team and apply to join Women's Super League". The Independent. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
- ^ Staff writer (28 May 2018). "Manchester United get Women's Championship licence; West Ham join top flight". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- ^ a b Staff writer (29 May 2018). "Manchester United get Women's Championship licence". ITV News. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
- ^ Moore, Glenn (22 March 2018). "Manchester United take vital step forward in announcing women's team – but there's still work to be done". The Independent. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- ^ a b Boswell, Zinny (8 June 2018). "Casey Stoney named Manchester United women's head coach". Sky Sports. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
- ^ "Lizzie Arnot: Scotland cap hails 'amazing' late goal for Manchester United Women". BBC Sport. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- ^ Kelly, Ciaran (9 September 2018). "Manchester United transfer news LIVE Pogba discusses Barcelona transfer as Man Utd Women thrash Aston Villa Ladies 12–0". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
- ^ Garry, Tom (17 April 2019). "Manchester United Women promoted after 5–0 victory over Aston Villa Ladies". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
- ^ a b "Man Utd Women 7–0 Crystal Palace Ladies: Women's Championship title sealed by win". BBC Sport. 20 April 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ^ Bonsu, Benny (18 May 2019). "The winners from the 21st annual FA Women's Football Awards". givemesport.com. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
- ^ Bath, Adam (7 September 2019). "Manchester City Women 1 United Women 0". www.manutd.com. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
- ^ "Record crowd watch City women win Manchester derby". Reuters. 7 September 2019.
- ^ "Chelsea named Women's Super League champions, Liverpool relegated". www.bbc.co.uk. 5 June 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
- ^ Ludbrook, Sam (23 February 2020). "Everton Women 2 United Women 3". www.manutd.com. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
- ^ Plant, Michael (25 January 2020). "United Women 2 City Women 3". www.manutd.com. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
- ^ Ibson, Ben (29 January 2020). "Manchester United Women 0 Chelsea Women 1". www.manutd.com. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
- ^ "MU Women to play first-ever match at Old Trafford". Manchester United (Press release). 16 March 2021.
- ^ "James scores in historic Old Trafford win". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Stoney steps down as Women's Head Coach". Manchester United (Press release). 12 May 2021.
- ^ "Marc Skinner appointed as Women's head coach". Manchester United (Press release). 29 July 2021.
- ^ "Marc Skinner contract: Man Utd trigger 12-month option". 90min. 30 March 2023.
- ^ "Sam Kerr secures Chelsea third successive Vitality Women's FA Cup win". www.thefa.com.
- ^ Wrack, Suzanne (18 October 2023). "PSG's Martens ends Manchester United's Women's Champions League dream". The Guardian.
- ^ a b Sanders, Emma (12 May 2024). "Women's FA Cup final: Manchester United beat Tottenham to win first major trophy". BBC Sport.
- ^ "WSL: Man Utd to play Man City at Old Trafford". 31 July 2024.
- ^ Duncker, Charlotte (18 June 2018). "Manchester United Women's team set to make surprise transfer announcements". Manchester Evening News. MEN Media. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- ^ Flynn, Brian (13 September 2018). "Robins Strengthen Links with Manchester United". altrinchamfc.com. Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
- ^ "Manchester United Women venue update for FA Cup clash against London Bees". www.manutd.com.
- ^ "Manchester United Women to play first ever game at Old Trafford". The Guardian. 16 March 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
- ^ Garry, Tom (27 March 2022). "Manchester United set season-high WSL attendance record as Alessia Russo leads comeback win over Everton". The Telegraph.
- ^ "Man Utd Women Player Profiles". www.manutd.com. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ Higgins, Adam (9 May 2019). "Zelem is United Women's Player of the Year". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ Plant, Michael (18 September 2020). "Ladd is United Women's Player of the Year". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ Bostock, Adam (16 May 2021). "Batlle is United Women's Player of the Year". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ Nelson, Joe (7 June 2022). "Toone wins Player of the Year Award". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ Nelson, Joe (6 June 2022). "Russo wins Players' Player of the Year Award". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ Rowe-Willcocks, Helen (29 May 2023). "Alessia Russo named Player of the Year". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
- ^ Rowe-Willcocks, Helen (29 May 2023). "Hannah Blundell wins United Women Players' Player of the Season". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
- ^ "Toone is United Women's Player of the Year". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
- ^ "Toone and Le Tissier share Players' Player of the Year". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
- ^ "United Women add new assistant to backroom staff". www.manutd.com.
- ^ Theivam, Kieran (19 September 2019). "'Don't be nice. You want it more than them' — a day with Manchester United Women". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
- ^ https://www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/11667/13111471/john-murtough-man-utd-football-director-stepping-down-with-dan-ashworth-set-to-replace-him [bare URL]
- ^ Harpur, Charlotte. "Man Utd to appoint Johnson as interim head of women's football".
- ^ "All 2018–19". www.manutd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
- ^ "Marc Skinner appointed as United Women head coach" (Press release). Manchester United. 29 July 2021.
- ^ "From A Left Wing: The Ladies of Old Trafford". 29 July 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
- ^ a b "Healy launches WSL Academy side". Twitter. 29 July 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
- ^ "Full-Time : Division". full-time.thefa.com.
- ^ Jamet, Sylvain (22 April 2019). "Arsenal defeat Manchester United 5-0 to win the FA WSL Academy Cup". Daily Cannon.
- ^ "UNITED WOMEN'S U21S WIN NATIONAL TITLE". www.manutd.com. 2 May 2024.
- ^ "Women's Under-21s win Northern title". www.manutd.com. 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Man Utd thrash Chelsea to win WSL Academy League & complete youth double". 90min.com. 27 April 2022.
- ^ Bince, Alan. "Manchester United Women U-21 Crowned Champions of Women's Academy League Northern Division". Sports Illustrated: Manchester United.
- ^ "WSL Academy Cup final: Birmingham City 1 United Women U21s 4". www.manutd.com. 9 March 2022.
External links
edit- Official website (in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish)
- MU Women's News – Manchester United official website
- MU Women's Videos – Manchester United official website