Manchester United are losing ground in the WSL title race and recent performances have done little to inspire a fan base growing frustrated with the direction of travel.
A glance at the table may suggest that things are not too bad. After all, the Red Devils are unbeaten in six matches and have an outstanding game, albeit against the reigning champions. Chelsea who they would do well to beat on current form.
Marc Skinner’s side kicked off the 2024/25 season with a comfortable 3-0 home win over West Ham United at Old Trafford. For the first time in a long time, things were looking up.
However, the optimism was short-lived as just a week later the cracks began to show in a narrow win over an injured Everton. united won the game courtesy of an early goal from Grace Clinton, but failed to make the most of four more attempts on goal, with the Merseyside club able to create four.
An ultimately comfortable win over Tottenham Hotspur in early October silenced the critics, although Spurs enjoyed periods of pressure in a 0-0 draw. But United have not won a league game since then. Brighton away ended in a 1-1 draw, Skinner’s side scoring late on to earn a point against arsenaland last weekend registered just one shot on target in a 0-0 draw at home to Aston Villa.
Although Villa are struggling at the wrong end of the table and are winless this season, Robert De Pauw’s side still dominated possession and created the better chances at Leigh Sports Village. In a league where even a few dropped points are often not good enough for the title, simply ‘not losing’ doesn’t cut it. At the top end of the WSL, it’s win or lose.
If United fail to pick up a point in their game against Chelsea later this month, they will find themselves nine points behind the London club. Even at this early stage of the season, that number seems insurmountable considering how past seasons have played out.
The excuse of being a “new team” still finding their feet and remaining unbeaten, both of which Skinner highlighted after the Villa game, is no longer tolerated by an increasingly disgruntled fan base. United were active in the transfer market during the summer and strengthened the squad with five quality new additions, while Melvine Malard also joined on a permanent deal after a successful loan spell last term. Fans understandably expect better.
A quick look at the club’s social media platforms suggests that fans’ patience is wearing thin in the extreme. As things stand, United don’t look like a team capable of challenging for honors this season, perhaps even a top-three finish, and something desperately needs to click soon.
United face Leicester City in the WSL this coming weekend, which is already a must-win game. A League Cup game against Everton may provide an opportunity to create some momentum, but the huge clash against Chelsea will follow before the next international break.
The next few weeks could be make or break, but one thing is for sure, something has to give.
