Manchester United Women have not started their new era in a good way.
The Marc Skinner era came to an end pretty abruptly in the summer. His departure was announced at the start of August, with pre-season having already started and a month before the new campaign.
A lack of investment was one of many reasons for Skinner’s departure, though fans felt the club had also stagnated on the pitch under the Englishman. Two days later, Skinner was replaced by Eva Olid, who had led Hearts to a first-ever Scottish Women’s Premier League title.
It brought the start of a new era, and fans were optimistic, even with the lack of movement in the transfer window. But the new Women’s Super League season couldn’t have started any worse.
Man Utd sit bottom of the table after two games, one of two teams to have lost both matches. But what has gone wrong for Eva Olid so far? And are there any signs of fortune changing soon?
Man Utd Women’s woes
Baptism of fire
When the WSL fixtures were announced earlier in the summer, Man Utd fans will have been groaning. Their start to the season could hardly have been harder. And that was before considering a new manager would be in charge, for her first taste of WSL football.
First up were London City Lionesses. The capital club finished sixth in the WSL last season and lost more than they won in their maiden top-flight season. But they were laying the foundations as part of their long-term goal to dominate domestic and European football. Some big-name signings were made, including the arrivals of Danielle van de Donk and Grace Geyoro. But they paled in comparison to the transfers London City made this summer. Alexia Putellas, Kadidiatou Diani, Mapi Leon and Nicole Anyomi were all added to the ranks, as well as Mary Earps among others. Arguably the best player in the world in Putellas, and one of the best forwards in Diani. Opening the season at home, London City wanted to impress with the world watching. And they beat Man Utd 2-1 at Hayes Lane.
Then came Chelsea. The Blues may not be the defending champions for the first time in seven years. And they’re not the same team that dominated English football under Emma Hayes. But they remain one of the best teams in England. And they travelled to Leigh Sports Village in the second weekend of the season a wounded beast. Chelsea had opened their campaign with a disappointing draw against Aston Villa, despite peppering the Villans goal. They had a point to prove against an opponent they have usually come out on top against. But no one could have predicted the 5-0 win for the Blues.
Up next are Arsenal. The second-best side in England last season and Champions League semi-finalists. They also worked hard to improve their squad in the summer, signing the likes of Georgia Stanway, Ona Batlle, Lisa Baum and Selina Cerci. And, like Chelsea, they go into this weekend’s clash after a disappointing start to the season. Their players have a point to prove.
Toothless in attack
Man Utd’s attack has already come under fire this season. The Red Devils have scored just one goal across their two games, Simi Awujo’s last-minute consolation against London City Lionesses. What’s worse, though, is that they’ve managed just two shots on target — Awujo’s against London City and Elisabeth Terland against Chelsea. But it’s not a problem with accuracy. Man Utd aren’t getting into positions to test their opponents’ defence.
Only Charlton Athletic (five) have taken fewer shots in the WSL this season than Man Utd’s six. They managed four against London City Lionesses and just two in the drubbing to Chelsea. That’s not the reaction fans will have wanted after an opening-day defeat. Awujo has taken two of those shots despite playing 49 minutes, while Lea Schuller’s one shot has come with just 31 minutes played.
It could just be a slow start. But it is in stark contrast to last season. Man Utd averaged 14.0 shots per game in the WSL last season, ranking fourth in the league, with 5.18 efforts on target. As a collective, Man Utd also created 10.55 chances per game last season. That’s down to just three in 2026/27.
Outgoings have played their part. Melvine Malard was one of three players to share top spot for Man Utd league goals last season, scoring six. She was joined by Terland and Jess Park. The Frenchwoman led the club for shots, with 57, and only Terland (26) had more efforts on target than Malard’s 24. But Malard is now a Chelsea player. And Man Utd didn’t make any signings to replace her goals — evidence of a lack of backing from the higher-ups.
Monica Jusu Bah was the only forward signed in the summer, arriving from BK Hacken, having scored 16 goals and provided seven assists across all competitions last season. But she started on the wing against Chelsea, and struggled with the rest of her attacking teammates..
Their own worst enemies
Man Utd’s defence may be an even bigger worry. They have conceded seven goals, the most in the league. But two of them have been their own fault. The Red Devils have made seven errors leading to shots in total, with two leading to goals. Manchester City and Aston Villa are the other teams to have made two errors leading to goals. But Man City sit top of the table, and Aston Villa aren’t company Man Utd want to be keeping.
Dominique Janssen has been responsible for both errors leading to goals for Man Utd. Both came against Chelsea at the weekend. The first was for Chelsea’s opener, as she misjudged a long ball over the top, missing her jump allowing Wieke Kaptein to play in Sjoeke Nusken. She then gave the ball away in a dangerous area for Chelsea’s fourth, again with Kaptein benefitting.
The Red Devils have been very easy to get at under Olid so far. They’re not on the ball as much, ranking 11th for their 587 touches per game in the WSL. In Skinner’s final season, they ranked fourth with 686.68 touches. Of course, the level of opponents plays a part, but it still makes for worrying reading. With that lack of possession, Man Utd are facing more shots. They’ve faced an average of 18 per game this season, up from just 11.14 last year. That was the third-best in the league. Now they’re the second-worst.
Man Utd’s change in system also isn’t working right now. They’re doing a lot of defending in front of their own box, as opposed to at the other end of the pitch. The Red Devils averaging 7.64 possessions won in the attacking third per game under Skinner last season. That’s down to just 2.5 under Olid’s first two matches. Possessions won in the middle third are also down from last season, and quite drastically too (21.41 to 10.5). There has, naturally, been an increase in possessions won in the defensive third from 18.32 to 22, but the low increase also shows that Man Utd not winning enough key battles in front of their box.
Something has to change, and quickly, if Man Utd want to avoid turning a slow start into a season-long worry.