Q&A: How new-look Man Utd have answered pre-season questions with perfect start

Manchester United have begun the Women’s Super League season with three wins from as many games after what had appeared a troubled build-up.

Here, the PA news agency takes a closer look at how things have been going for the Red Devils.

What happened last season?

United, having achieved their competition bests of finishing runners-up in both the WSL and FA Cup in 2022-23, made history in the latter last term as they beat Tottenham 4-0 at Wembley to claim their first major trophy.

But they came fifth in the league, concluding those matches with a 1-0 loss at Liverpool and then a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Chelsea at Old Trafford. Boss Marc Skinner, who had faced some fan criticism, was handed a contract extension following the cup success.

And then the summer?

There were some notable departures from the squad as the England trio of goalkeeper Mary Earps, captain Katie Zelem and 2023-24 top-scorer Nikita Parris left, along with Spain forward Lucia Garcia. Incomings included Elisabeth Terland, scorer of 13 WSL goals for Brighton last season, and the return of 21-year-old England midfielder Grace Clinton after being on loan at Tottenham.

Meanwhile, there was renewed questioning of United’s Ineos leadership in terms of their commitment to the team after the Guardian reported the women’s side were to be moved into portable buildings to accommodate the men during renovation work at the club’s training ground.

What has happened since?

With new sporting director Dan Ashworth having stressed how delivering a successful women’s team was key to his role, Skinner defended the training ground situation, and ahead of United’s campaign opener spoke of the energy he had seen within the group in pre-season.

The team then beat West Ham 3-0 in that opener at Old Trafford, won 1-0 at Everton eight days later and on Sunday recorded another 3-0 victory, over Tottenham at Leigh Sports Village. As well as a hat-trick of clean sheets for keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, those matches have seen both Clinton and Terland score twice.

Weren’t they supposed to play Chelsea?

While United have so far defeated three teams that finished below them last season, they had been scheduled to face champions Chelsea at Kingsmeadow on October 6, but that game was postponed after it was confirmed the Blues would be opening their Champions League campaign on October 8.

What comes next?

Some tricky-looking assignments lie ahead, with Skinner’s team next Saturday set to go to a Brighton outfit currently lying a place below them in fourth with nine points from four games. Then after the international break, United’s first match is a home clash with Arsenal, last season’s third-placed finishers who are sixth at the moment having won only once in their first four league games this term.