Manchester United are losing ground in the WSL title race and recent performances have done little to inspire a fanbase growing frustrated with the direction of travel.
A glance at the table may suggest things aren’t too bad. After all, the Red Devils are unbeaten six games in and have a fixture outstanding, albeit against 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 triumph at home to West Ham United at Old Trafford. For the first time in a while, things were looking up.
However, the optimism was short-lived as cracks started to show in the narrow victory over an injury-struck Everton side just a week later. United won the game courtesy of an early goal from Grace Clinton, but failed to make the most of four further attempts on target, and the Merseyside club were able to create four of their own.
An ultimately comfortable win over Tottenham Hotspur in early October sort of silenced critics, although Spurs did enjoy spells of pressure at 0-0. But United haven’t won a league match since. Brighton away ended in a 1-1 draw, Skinner’s side scored late to clinch a point against Arsenal, and last weekend registered just a single shot on target in a 0-0 draw at home to Aston Villa.
Despite the fact Villa are struggling at the wrong end of the table and are without a win this season, Robert De Pauw’s side still dominated possession and created the better chances at Leigh Sports Village. In a league where even just a few dropped points often isn’t good enough for the title, simply ‘not losing’ doesn’t cut it. At the top end of the WSL, it’s win or bust.
If United fail to pick up any points in their game in hand against Chelsea later this month, they will find themselves nine points behind the London club. Even at this early stage of the season, that figure seems insurmountable given how past seasons have unfolded.
The excuse of it being a “new team” still finding its feet, and remaining unbeaten, both of which Skinner highlighted after the Villa game – is already not tolerated by an increasingly disgruntled fanbase. United were active in the transfer market over the summer and bolstered 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 glimpse at the club’s social media platforms suggests patience from supporters is wearing extremely thin. As things stand, United do not look like a team capable of challenging for honours this season, perhaps even a top three finish, and something desperately needs to click soon.
United will face Leicester City in the WSL this coming weekend , which is already an absolute must-win game. A League Cup fixture against Everton may provide an opportunity to build some fluidity, but the huge clash against Chelsea will follow before the next international break.
The next few weeks could make or break, but one thing is certain, something has got to give.
