Manchester United plan to establish their first ever professional women’s team in the second tier of the Women’s Super League.
United are currently the only Premier League club without a women’s team having scrapped their side in 2005, so what’s behind the U-turn? And what happens next?
We asked Sky Sports News reporter James Cooper, who has been covering football in Manchester for over a decade…
Why have United never previously had a professional women’s team?
It’s my understanding that senior figures at Manchester United did not see any value in having a women’s team. I’m not talking about in the sense of bringing cash through the door, but in terms of value to the club’s brand.
There was a feeling that they should not be bullied into it. Even as recently as before Christmas, there was no inclination that this would come so quickly.
Why did they change their mind?
There has been a recognition among Manchester United’s top brass that they had got to a stage where not having a women’s team was becoming embarrassing.
They will tell you they were not forced into the decision, rather that it was a realisation. It’s a major U-turn and it will be interesting to see how it all fits together and what Manchester City make of it.
City have clearly proved that there is value in it. There is an argument that when you have got as much money as these clubs then it doesn’t matter if you are losing money on a women’s team, but it’s more about the message it sends out – especially to young girls in Manchester.
I’m told the initial investment will be around £5m. So in the context of Manchester United and their resources, we are not talking about a big spend. But what it will do is give the young players who come through their Foundation’s system a chance to play for the club professionally.
What’s the significance of the United Foundation?
United have not had a professional women’s team but what they have had is a number of girls teams up to the age of 16 run by the club’s foundation.
The problem is that as soon as they hit 16, they have nowhere to go. You have got girls who are Manchester United fans who have suddenly got to go somewhere else to play.
So in a sense, they have been a finishing school for other WSL clubs. This season I think 15 graduates of Manchester United’s Foundation have played international football for women’s teams.
That gives you an idea of the quality of coaching already in place. My youngest son played against the Foundation at U12 level and they had a central midfielder, a young girl, who was the best player I’ve ever seen at that level, male or female. It shows the calibre they already have.
What will their team look like in the Women’s Super League 2?
What they are going to do in their first year in the WSL 2 is to have the graduates who have come through from U16 level form the basis of the team and then put some talent around them.
Who are the other teams in the WSL 2?
There are 10 teams currently competing in the Women’s Super League second tier: Doncaster Rovers Belles, Millwall Lionesses, Durham Women FC, Brighton & Hove Albion, Tottenham Ladies, Oxford United Women, Sheffield FC Ladies, London Bees, Aston Villa Ladies FC and Watford Ladies FC.
Will they be able to compete with the big guns?
The problem they have is that they set standards very high. The men’s team is currently trying to get back on track and start winning big trophies, so what they don’t want is to suddenly be playing a massive game of catch-up with the Women’s Super League 1 sides like Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea.
They have to improve very quickly, because United need to get to a level where they are challenging with Manchester City from a women’s football perspective.
At the moment girls in Manchester have got their eyes fixed on the blue of Manchester City simply because there’s an opportunity there, but suddenly United might come in and spoil that party.
The parents and girls I speak to who are Manchester United fans are desperate to play for the club and they might be able to now.
Where will the team be based?
The new team will be based at the club’s old training centre, The Cliff. It has been almost redundant since the men’s team moved to Carrington, so this will breathe new life into it. It’s evidence of the root and branch study that Ed Woodward says he is doing at Manchester United.
What has been the reaction of the FA?
As soon as Manchester United throw their hat into the ring for any brand, then that brand immediately becomes stronger. The FA will be delighted that the WSL brand now stands to benefit
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