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Manchester United Women
The words "Manchester" and "United" surround a pennant featuring a ship in full sail and a devil holding a trident.
Full name Manchester United Women Football Club
Nickname(s) The Red Devils
Founded 28 May 2018; 6 years ago (2018-05-28)
Ground Leigh Sports Village
Ground Capacity 12,000
Owner Manchester United plc (75%)
INEOS (25%)
Co-chairmen Joel and Avram Glazer
Head coach Marc Skinner
League FA WSL
2019–20 FA WSL, 4th of 12
Third colours

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.

History

1970s–2001: Unofficial teams

Ratified 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.

An unofficial team called United Ladies of Manchester was formed circa 1970 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.

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. 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. The team became increasingly competitive throughout the 1990s at various levels of the FA Women's National League up until 2001.

2001–2005: Partnership and disbandment

It'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

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. 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. A media spokesman for Manchester United also claimed the club wanted to focus on its women's academy instead of its senior team.

2018–present: Current team

Man Utd Women 5 Lewes FC Women 0 11 05 2019-701 (47799278042)
Manchester United celebrate winning the Championship title in their inaugural season

In March 2018, Manchester United announced their intentions to reintroduce a women's football team. 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. 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. Casey Stoney was appointed as the club's first head coach on 8 June, 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. Three weeks later, their opening Championship encounter ended in a 12–0 victory away to Aston Villa. On 17 April 2019, United secured promotion to the FA Women's Super League following a 5–0 win against the same opposition. They clinched the FA Women's Championship title three days later following a 7–0 win at home to Crystal Palace. In May 2019, Manchester United were named FA Women's Championship Club of the Year at the 2019 FA Women's Football Awards.

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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Manchester United Women played their first game at Old Trafford, against West Ham United, during the men's March 2021 international break. Manchester United won the game 2–0.

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. 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. Skinner confirmed in March 2023 that the 12-month extension option was triggered, keeping him at the club until 2024. 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. 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.

On 12 May 2024, United defeated Tottenham Hotspur 4–0 in the 2024 Women's FA Cup final to win their first major title.

Ground

LeighStadium-May2008
The Leigh Sports Village has been the venue for the majority of the club's home games.

Following 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. United were to play their fixtures at Leigh Sports Village until this was completed, 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. Ewen Fields has also been used as a contingency plan, hosting United's FA Cup fifth round match against London Bees in February 2019. 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. 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.

Players

Current squad

Arsenal WFC v Manchester United WFC, 7 February 2019 (02)
Manchester United in February 2019 before a match against Arsenal
No. Position Player
3 England DF Gabby George
4 England DF Maya Le Tissier
5 Republic of Ireland DF Aoife Mannion
6 England DF Hannah Blundell
7 England MF Ella Toone
8 Spain MF Irene Guerrero
9 France FW Melvine Malard (on loan from Lyon)
10 England MF Katie Zelem (captain)
11 England MF Leah Galton
12 Wales MF Hayley Ladd
14 Canada DF Jayde Riviere
15 Wales DF Gemma Evans
No. Position Player
16 Norway MF Lisa Naalsund
17 Spain FW Lucía García
20 Japan MF Hinata Miyazawa
21 England DF Millie Turner
22 England FW Nikita Parris
23 Brazil FW Geyse
25 England DF Evie Rabjohn
27 England GK Mary Earps
28 England FW Rachel Williams
34 Scotland MF Emma Watson
91 United States GK Phallon Tullis-Joyce

Out on loan

No. Position Player
26 England MF Grace Clinton (at Tottenham Hotspur)
39 Wales GK Safia Middleton-Patel (dual registration with Watford)

Player of the Year

Season Player of the Year Players' Player of the Year
Name Nationality Position Notes Ref. Name Nationality Position Notes Ref.
2018–19 Zelem, KatieKatie Zelem  England Midfielder Inaugural winner N/A
2019–20 Ladd, HayleyHayley Ladd  Wales Midfielder
2020–21 Batlle, OnaOna Batlle  Spain Defender First non-British winner
2021–22 Toone, EllaElla Toone  England Forward Russo, AlessiaAlessia Russo  England Forward Inaugural winner
2022–23 Russo, AlessiaAlessia Russo  England Forward First to win both awards Blundell, HannahHannah Blundell  England Defender
2023–24 Toone, EllaElla Toone  England Forward First repeat winner and first to win both awards in the same season Le Tissier, MayaMaya Le Tissier  England Defender First shared award
Toone, EllaElla Toone  England Forward

Coaching staff

First-team

Position Staff
Head coach England Marc Skinner
Assistant coaches England Dan Bale
England Charlotte Healy
Goalkeeping coach England Ian Willcock
Strength & conditioning coach England Tommy Munday

Higher management

Position Staff
Director of football England Dan Ashworth (expected)
Head of women's football England Matt Johnson (interim)
For a full list see Management of Manchester United F.C.

Managerial statistics

Information correct as of 18 May 2024. Only competitive matches are counted.

List of Manchester United W.F.C. managers
Image Name Nationality From To P W D L GF GA Win% Honours Notes
BHA Women 0 Man Utd Women 2 WFAC 4th rd 03 02 2019-356 (46986268081) (cropped).jpg Stoney, CaseyCasey Stoney  England 8 June 2018 16 May 2021 &&&&&&&&&&&&&077.&&&&&077 &&&&&&&&&&&&&052.&&&&&052 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&06.&&&&&06 &&&&&&&&&&&&&019.&&&&&019 &&&&&&&&&&&&0213.&&&&&0213 &&&&&&&&&&&&&060.&&&&&060 &&&&&&&&&&&&&067.53000067.53 1 Championship title
20220202-Marc Skinner.jpg Skinner, MarcMarc Skinner  England 29 July 2021 present &&&&&&&&&&&&&094.&&&&&094 &&&&&&&&&&&&&058.&&&&&058 &&&&&&&&&&&&&018.&&&&&018 &&&&&&&&&&&&&018.&&&&&018 &&&&&&&&&&&&0212.&&&&&0212 &&&&&&&&&&&&&097.&&&&&097 &&&&&&&&&&&&&061.70000061.70 1 FA Cup title

Honours

  • Women's FA Cup
    • Winners: 2023–24
  • FA Women's Championship
    • Winners: 2018–19

Seasons

Key

  • QR2 = Second qualifying round
  • GS = Group stage
  • QF = Quarter-finals
  • SF = Semi-finals
Champions Runners-up Promoted Relegated

Season summary

Results of league and cup competitions by season
Season League FA Cup League Cup Champions League Top goalscorer
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 Sigsworth, JessicaJessica Sigsworth 18
2019–20 WSL 14 7 2 5 24 12 23 4th R4 SF James, LaurenLauren James 9
2020–21 WSL 22 15 2 5 44 20 47 4th R5 GS Did not qualify Toone, EllaElla Toone 10
2021–22 WSL 22 12 6 4 45 22 42 4th R5 SF Russo, AlessiaAlessia Russo 11
2022–23 WSL 22 18 2 2 56 12 56 2nd RU GS Russo, AlessiaAlessia Russo 13
2023–24 WSL 22 10 5 7 42 32 35 5th W GS QR2 Parris, NikitaNikita Parris 16

Records

Reserves and academy

Despite 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. The club's partner charity, The Manchester United Foundation, also works in coaching girls at all ages across the Greater Manchester region. 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. The club's development team had contested the WSL Academy Cup final against Arsenal the previous season.

Under-21 squad

No. Position Player
36 England FW Alyssa Aherne
38 England DF Jessica Simpson
42 United Arab Emirates FW Fay Al-Qaimi
44 England GK Jennifer Handy
46 England FW Megan Sofield
47 England DF Amelia Freeman
49 Wales FW Olivia Francis
50 England MF Amelia Oldroyd
51 England MF Ellie Adams
52 England DF Olivia Moulton
54 England DF Zaiba Ishaque
No. Position Player
55 England DF Lucy Newell
57 England DF Lucy Crook
58 England MF Phoebe Chadwick
59 England MF Tamira Livingston
60 England FW Aoife Farrall
63 England GK Kacey Bolton-Woollam
64 England GK Millie Crook
67 England MF Olivia Turner
England DF Amaris Ince
England DF Ruby Johnson
England MF Anna Fletcher

Out on loan

No. Position Player
37 England FW Keira Barry (at Crystal Palace until 30 June 2024)
43 Republic of Ireland MF Layla Proctor (dual registration with Huddersfield Town until 30 June 2024)
45 England MF Holly Deering (dual registration with Liverpool Feds until 30 June 2024)
48 Wales MF Mayzee Davies (dual registration with AFC Fylde until 30 June 2024)
56 England FW Eleanor Ashton (dual registration with Derby County until 30 June 2024)
Wales DF Bella Reidford (dual registration with Burnley until 30 June 2024)

Academy manager history

Position Staff
Under-21s manager England Charlotte Healy (2019–present)

Academy honours

Under-21 Team

  • Professional Game Academy
    • National play-off winners: 2023–24
    • Northern Division: 2023–24
  • FA WSL Academy League
    • National play-off winners: 2021–22
    • Northern Division: 2021–22
  • FA WSL Academy Cup: 1
    • 2021–22

Under-16 Team

  • U16 Professional Game Academy Cup: 1
    • 2023–24

Academy graduates

The following is a list of academy players who have made senior team appearances. Bold indicates the player is still at the club.

  • Wales Carrie Jones
  • England Ella Toone
  • England Emily Ramsey
  • England Fran Bentley
  • England Gabby George
  • Norway Karna Solskjær
  • England Katie Zelem
  • Scotland Kirsty Hanson
  • England Millie Turner
  • England Naomi Hartley
  • England Rebecca May
  • England Tara Bourne

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Manchester United Women Football Club para niños

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