2024/25 Season Preview: Man Utd have something to prove but optimism is justified
Manchester United are looking to bounce back from a mixed 2023/24 campaign that resulted in the club's lowest ever WSL finish but also delivered a first major trophy in the FA Cup.
Manchester United kick off their sixth season as a Women’s Super League club.
2023/24 Recap
WSL
The 2023/24 season delivered both immense highs and massive lows for United fans. It came off the back of a campaign in which Marc Skinner’s team built on ironclad defensive foundations were in the title race until the final day, forcing Chelsea to set an all-time WSL points record to keep hold of the trophy. Anything less than that would always be considered a disappointment, but few expected such a dramatic step backwards in terms of the results that played out.
Where they had won league 18 games in 2022/23, United managed only 10 in 2023/24. It was the solitary point from a possible 18 against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, compared to 10 the year before, and draws against Leicester, Brighton, West Ham and Tottenham that did the damage in terms of falling out of the top three and missing out on Champions League qualification.
The real salt in the wound was home and away defeats to Liverpool, which saw the significantly improved Merseysiders jump ahead and consign United to fifth place – their lowest since arriving in the WSL five years earlier. Losing to Liverpool at Leigh Sports Village a week before Christmas, having taken the lead inside just three minutes, left a particularly sour taste in the mouth that lingered rather uncomfortably during the second half of the season.
Champions League
United’s momentous Champions League journey ended all too prematurely in the qualifying rounds. Unseeded in the ‘league path’, the draw wasn’t kind when Paris Saint-Germain came out of the pot and Marc Skinner irked plenty when his frustration was perceived as an unfair slight on some of the smaller clubs on the other side of the qualifying bracket. The home leg at Leigh was something of a baptism of fire when the pace of PSG forward Tabitha Chawinga in particular caused all kinds of problems, but United ultimately held their own to claim a respectable draw to take over to France.
There were jokes in the press room after that game about the bedbug epidemic gripping Paris at the time, but PSG were no joke on the pitch at Parc des Princes. They were clinical in ways that United just weren’t, scoring three of their five attempts on goal to claim a 3-1 victory on the night and a 4-2 win on aggregate. It looked like it could be game on with 20 minutes when Leah Galton had the ball in the net and United were building a head of steam, but it was – perhaps harshly – ruled out when she was adjudged to have committed a foul in jumping for the ball. Ella Toone also went on to strike the post in stoppage time, leaving it a case of ‘what if’. As it goes, PSG went all the way to the semi-finals.
League Cup
United had every right to feel aggrieved by an early exit from the League Cup in January. It was a tough all-WSL group, compared to the other in the northern section which had only one top flight team, and defeat to Manchester City was certainly disappointing how it happened. But once all the football had been played, having beaten Everton, Liverpool and Leicester, United had still done enough to reach the quarter-finals on merit as one of the two best runners-up.
What changed everything was Aston Villa fielding an ineligible player. January signing Noelle Maritz was cup-tied after playing for Arsenal in the competition before Christmas, which was regrettably overlooked by Villa staff when she was named on the bench for their final game against Sunderland. Villa were winning 3-0 when Maritz was subbed on at half-time and went on to score seven by the end of the game. Her presence on the pitch didn’t change the course of the result, but Sunderland were awarded the win due to the rule breach. Sunderland then ended up winning that group to claim an automatic place in the knockout stage as a direct consequence. Unfortunately for United, because Villa’s other results still stood, a better goal difference meant they still finished ahead in the runner-up rankings, which knocked Skinner’s side out. Some argued United should have done more in their own games to avoid such fate. But had Villa not made their selection faux pas, the Red Devils would have gone through and it felt unfair that they were punished for another club’s mistake.
FA Cup
The FA Cup in 2024 was a historic moment for Manchester United Women. Defeat to Chelsea in the 2023 final was devastating because of how it happened, with United seeing an early goal disallowed and missing other chances, only for Sam Kerr to snatch victory for the Blues in the second half.
In a way, last season proved the perfect revenge. United were paired with Chelsea in the semi-finals in April and it produced one of the greatest days the Leigh crowd has ever witnessed. In contrast to WSL form during the second half of the season, United blitzed Chelsea from the very start and fans were nothing short of delirious when Lucia Garcia broke the deadlock in the opening minute. Rachel Williams got the second just over 20 minutes later. Two crosses, two headers. Lauren James pulled one back for Chelsea in first half stoppage time, but already denied by a flying Mary Earps save. That wasn’t a patch on the truly world class stop from Earps to keep James out in the second half, with the United goalkeeper at her brilliant best all afternoon. Overall, it was an incredible effort from all to hold onto that lead and LSV erupted at the final whistle. It was a first ever win against Chelsea and Earps, by then just weeks away from her eventual exit to PSG, celebrated more than anyone.
Prior to that, United had put five past a plucky Newcastle, a slightly trickier time against Southampton, but then breezed past Brighton with four more goals. The final against Tottenham on a blisteringly hot day at Wembley, for which Skinner’s wool-led fashion choices were rightly questioned, was ultimately a comfortable procession. Ella Toone’s stunning goal at the end of the first half, which was destined for the top corner as soon as it left her boot, set the tone, with FA Cup hero Williams doubling that lead to kill Tottenham’s fight after the interval. Garcia, whose stumble down the steps from Wembley’s royal box later on was met with roars of laughter from teammates, put the icing on the cake with a quickfire third and then a fourth.
Summer Transfers
United’s summer business followed the usual pattern seen in previous years, with the departures coming first. Fans were sorely disappointed that the handful of high profile exits weren’t announced sooner, meaning there was no opportunity to bid farewell to Katie Zelem, Lucia Garcia or Mary Earps, all of whom have played huge roles in the United story.
But there is plenty of reason to feel positive about the squad going into the new season. Melvine Malard, an immediate fan favourite during her 2023/24 loan, is back on a permanent deal and should now go from strength to strength with a year already under her belt. Former Arsenal and Wolfsburg defender Dominique Janssen brings immense experience and invaluable versatility, adept at centre-back, left-back and defensive midfield, but recruitment has mainly focused on young developing talent. The rest of the arrivals are all 23 or younger, with United very specifically targeting what Skinner has branded the “young and hungry”, whilst also chasing those who can add physicality to the squad. Elisabeth Terland was last season’s joint-second WSL top scorer with 13 goals, while full-back Anna Sandberg’s reported price tag makes her Sweden’s most expensive ever player. Simi Awujo is an established Canada midfielder but this is a first foray into professional club football after coming from the US college scene, putting her in a similar boat to international teammate Jayde Riviere in January 2023. Norway winger Celin Bizet has also joined from Tottenham after impressing over the last couple of years in the WSL.
In:
Dominique Janssen (DF) - Wolfsburg - free transfer
Melvine Malard (FW) - Lyon - undisclosed fee
Elisabeth Terland (FW) - Brighton - free transfer
Anna Sandberg (DF) - Hacken - undisclosed fee
Simi Awujo (MF) - University of Southern California - free transfer
Celin Bizet (FW) - Tottenham - undisclosed fee
Out:
Lucia Garcia (FW) - Monterrey - free transfer
Katie Zelem (MF) - Angel City - free transfer
Mary Earps (GK) - Paris Saint-Germain - free transfer
Irene Guerrero (MF) - Club America - undisclosed fee
Gemma Evans (DF) - Liverpool - undisclosed fee
Alyssa Aherne (FW) - Sheffield United - loan
Nikita Parris (FW) - Brighton - undisclosed fee
Returning Players
United haven’t just been boosted by fresh faces. Grace Clinton, recently crowned 2023/24 PFA Young Player of the Year, is back from a breakout loan at Tottenham. She was a huge reason for Spurs’ resurgence last season and is, in many ways, like a new signing herself – but one who already has the benefit of knowing how the club works. Clinton, now 21, played her way into the senior England squad while she was away and was handed United’s No.8 shirt on her return. The plan is for her to fill that traditional No.8 role too, box-to-box, all-action, and getting forward to score goals. She was also very close to Celin Bizet at Tottenham, which stands to benefit the Red Devils now as well.
Then there are those back from injury. Hinata Miyazawa was getting minutes in the final weeks of last season after recovering from a broken foot suffered in December. She had actually been playing fairly regularly before that four-month layoff halted her progress, but there is now a feeling that the 2023 World Cup Golden Boot winner, with a year to settle and adapt, will kick on. Gabby George has made her return to action during pre-season after suffering an ACL injury in just her fourth game following last summer’s arrival from Everton. Emma Watson, a player Skinner teased more than once would have had regular opportunities despite her very young age, is in a similar position to come back, ruled out for the season last summer before even kicking a ball.
No.1 Goalkeeper
Aside from Clinton, the existing United player that fans are most excited for this season is Phallon Tullis-Joyce. The American now takes over as starting goalkeeper, having spent 2023/24 playing a back-up role to Earps and only getting opportunities in the League Cup. It was in that competition that Tullis-Joyce demonstrated exactly what she is capable, pulling off a stunning reflex save in the narrow 1-0 win over Liverpool. In the days before the new season begins, Skinner has already declared she is “the best shot-stopper” he has ever worked with, an immense vote of confidence straightaway.
Tullis-Joyce, likely signed last year with the expectation that Earps would indeed move on, has already been a starter in France and the NWSL and so is plenty experienced. She’s also a bright and bubbly character, which has served to make her popular with teammates and fans alike, having also thrown herself into community work last season to win a PFA award.
Safia Middleton-Patel will take up a new role as this season’s number two.
New Captain
With Zelem’s departure came the need for United to choose just a third club captain since reforming in 2018. In the footsteps of Katie and inaugural skipper Alex Greenwood is Maya Le Tissier. Despite her age, turning 22 in April, the centre-back was already showing signs of leadership and has been a crucial player since the moment she arrived from Brighton two years ago. Consistency and reliability also appear to be at the root of the choice to hand Le Tissier the armband. She was the only player on the pitch for every minute for United in 2023/24, determined to be invovled at every turn, while she hasn’t missed a WSL game since January 2020 - 91 consecutive league games across two clubs.
Ella Toone, who tragically lost her father at the age of just 59 earlier this month, has been installed as the new vice-captain - Skinner had previously preferred a wider ‘leadership group’ with no specific named deputy to Zelem. Her passion for United should make the role a good fit as a leader by example.
Dominique Janssen, brought in for her experience as much as her defensive solidity, is also set for a major leadership role, albeit without a formal label.
The Squad
Anna Sandberg
Gabby George
Maya Le Tissier (captain)
Aoife Mannion
Hannah Blundell
Ella Toone (vice-captain)
Grace Clinton
Melvine Malard
Leah Galton
Hayley Ladd
Simi Awujo
Jayde Riviere
Celin Bizet
Lisa Naalsund
Dominique Janssen
Elisabeth Terland
Hinata Miyazawa
Millie Turner
Geyse
Evie Rabjohn
Rachel Williams
Emma Watson
Keira Barry
Jess Simpson
Safia Middleton-Patel (GK)
Phallon Tullis-Joyce (GK)
The Manager
Marc Skinner has had plenty of critics over the past year, with some dissenting fan voices heard as early as March 2023. But he now begins his fourth season as United manager after sufficiently impressing the new sporting hierarchy. A new one-year contract was agreed in the weeks leading up to the FA Cup final but only announced in the days that followed the momentous victory at Wembley.
Skinner spoke of the need for investment and recruitment throughout last season, despite the club spending handsomely during the summer of 2023. Injuries played a part in not having certain players available, leaving the squad completely threadbare at the back at times, while there is sometimes a reluctance to use new signings quickly which has had mixed results – it worked for Lisa Naalsund and Jayde Riviere, but not for others like Irene Guerrero, Adriana Leon and Aissatou Tounkara, who pretty soon moved on.
There are also murmurings that United have spent pre-season working on different ways to play, which should arm Skinner, who has previously been accused of lacking in-game fluidity, with more options to change things.
On a personal level, he has said he feels refreshed and reinvigorated after last season became psychologically and physically draining.
The Hierarchy
United come into this season with a more robust structure and hierarchy than in the past. Polly Bancroft’s tenure as the club’s first ever head of women’s football was ultimately brief, leaving at the end of last season to take up a role as chief executive at Grimsby Town. Matt Johnson, director of operations at the Manchester United Foundation – which includes responsibility for the girls’ regional talent centre, is currently serving a six-month spell as the interim replacement. Harvey Bussell remains the dedicated head of women’s recruitment, now into his second year on the job and, in Skinner’s eyes, more in tune with “exactly what is required” to build the squad as a result.
But while some of co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments surrounding the women’s setup have been clumsy, new chief executive Omar Berrada and new sporting director Dan Ashworth are two people well versed in the development and furtherment of the women’s game in England. Berrada played a huge role in Manchester City’s growth and was a WSL board member until 2021, while Ashworth has overseen enormous strides in women’s football in previous roles with the FA, Brighton and Newcastle.
While fans may have shared concerns about Ratcliffe’s priorities, Ashworth has said and done all the right things to suggest that taking United Women to the next level is firmly in his sights. In his own words, “delivering a successful women’s team” is a “key objective” of his job. To that end, he has made himself visible and available on several occasions already for both manager and players.
Pre-season
There was controversy before the players returned for pre-season following reports of primary access to the new women’s team building at Carrington being handed to the men’s squad while their own facilities are being revamped.
New temporary buildings have been constructed for the women to use during that time, although comments more recently from Marc Skinner and Grace Clinton have sought to dampen the outcry about a potential fall in the standard of facilities on offer. Canteen use and outdoor facilities haven’t been affected, but while the short-term buildings were going up, United briefly relocated to St George’s Park for a special training camp. They later returned to Carrington but also spent time at the Marbella Football Center in Spain.
There were no high profile friendlies or exhibition games like Arsenal and Chelsea played on tour in the United States, with the club preferring to keep things behind closed doors. But a lot of work is understood to have gone into fitness and improving physicality, where the squad arguably lacked in 2023/24.
2024/25 Fixtures
United begin the season against West Ham at Old Trafford on 21 September. A trip to Chelsea crops up on matchday three, just four days after facing Liverpool in the League Cup group stage. But there are favourable runs of games from mid-November until Christmas, and again from late January through to the end of April where it should be possible to string plenty of wins together.
Where things gets super tricky is the final run-in, with Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal one after the other in the last three WSL fixtures of the season.
At the time of writing, broadcast picks up to the end of October have been confirmed. Fixture dates/kick-offs from November onwards remain subject to change.
WSL: 21 September - West Ham (H) - 12:00 (WSL YouTube)
WSL: 29 September - Everton (A) - 14:00 (WSL YouTube)
LC: 2 October - Liverpool (H) - 19:00 (WSL YouTube)
WSL: 6 October - Chelsea (A) - 12:00 (Sky Sports)
WSL: 13 October - Tottenham (H) - 12:30 (Sky Sports)
WSL: 19 October - Brighton (A) - 12:30 (WSL YouTube)
WSL: 3 November - Arsenal (H) - 12:00
WSL: 17 November - Leicester (A) - 15:00
LC: 22 November - Everton (A) - 19:00
WSL: 8 December - Liverpool (H) - 12:00
LC: 11 December - Newcastle (H) - 19:00
WSL: 15 December - Crystal Palace (A) - 14:00
FAC: 12 January - FA Cup fourth round
WSL: 19 January - Man City (A) - 13:00
WSL: 26 January - Brighton (H) - 12:00
WSL: 2 February - Tottenham (A) - 14:00
FAC: 9 February - FA Cup fifth round
WSL: 16 February - Crystal Palace (H) - 12:00
WSL: 2 March - Leicester (H) - 12:00
FAC: 9 March - FA Cup quarter-finals
WSL: 16 March - Liverpool (A) - 14:00
WSL: 23 March - Aston Villa (A) - 14:00
WSL: 30 March - Everton (H) - 12:00
FAC: 13 April - FA Cup semi-finals
WSL: 20 April - West Ham (A) - 15:00
WSL: 27 April - Chelsea (H) - 12:00
WSL: 4 May - Man City (H) - 12:00
WSL: 11 May - Arsenal (A) - 14:00
FAC: 18 May - FA Cup final