Manchester United Women players reportedly feel “disregarded” in comparison to their counterparts at rival clubs, amid ongoing concerns about the club’s treatment of the women’s team.
Recent reports suggest that United plans to relocate the women’s squad from their £10 million state-of-the-art training facilities to portacabins for the upcoming season to make way for the men’s senior team. This move comes as a disappointment to players who have expressed frustration over their perceived lack of priority compared to the men’s team.
The situation has become further complicated due to the involvement of the club’s new minority owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has admitted that the club still needs to confirm plans for the women’s team, while the men’s first team remains the primary focus.
The summer was pivotal for United Women, who secured the Women’s FA Cup, their first major trophy since the team’s relaunch in 2018. However, the season also saw the team record their worst-ever finish in the top flight (fifth place) and face significant player departures. Key figures including former captain Katie Zelem, forward Lucia Garcia, midfielder Irene Guerrero, and goalkeeper Mary Earps all left the club.
The high-profile exits follow a similar trend from the previous year, which saw Alessia Russo and Ona Batlle also depart after their contracts expired. According to SkySports, the exodus is indicative of ongoing issues with the club’s treatment of the women’s team.
An agent told SkySports: “When they compare their situation to their counterparts at Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City, they realize how much others are disregarding them. The issues raised by players in 2021 remain unresolved.”
The agent added that it is “extremely bad business” to let so many contracts expire without clear communication, support, and negotiation structures. The perception is that the women’s team is being used as a cost-cutting measure rather than being rewarded for their achievements. Additionally, there has been frequent turnover among coaching and sports science staff, raising further concerns.
One of the most notable departures this summer was England No. 1 Mary Earps. Despite United offering her a more lucrative contract than Paris Saint-Germain, Earps opted to join the French club, citing a desire to be at a team “not in transition” and one with ambitions to compete for trophies on all fronts.
United’s new sporting director, Dan Ashworth, has assured that the women’s team will be a key focus in his role, pledging to build on the success of their FA Cup victory and improve the overall support and infrastructure for the team.
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