Pressure on Man Utd to strengthen women's side | OneFootball

Manchester United's 3-0 home defeat underlined that while the team has progressed there is still a long way to go before the Red Devils can compete at the very top.

The United women's team began for the 2018/19 season and immediately jumped up to the WSL. Since then there has been a steady progression which has seen them lift the FA Cup and reach the league stage of the Champions League – although they haven't been able to get to the same level as champions Chelsea.

Indeed, those levels have been apparent in the Champions League. While Marc Skinner's side were able to defeat the likes of Atlético de Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain it was a completely different story against Wolfsburg and OL Lyonnes – suffering two defeats by three-goal margins.

Against the French side, Skinner elected to bring in his more physical players ahead of the likes of Ella Toone, Jess Park, and Julia Zigiotti Olme – all three of which were introduced at half-time. However, that plan didn't work and Skinner himself admitted he needs new players to complete.

The United manager has made it very clear that he wants reinforcements with what is already a thin squad. With Millie Turner yet to return to injury, ever-present Maya Le Tissier and Dominique Janssen have been the central pair with left-back Gabrielle George stepping in when Janssen has been absent.

While Celin Bizet Dønnum will be out for about a year after announcing her pregnancy, United have been lucky not to sustain any long-term injuries, like the ACL issues suffered by several other WSL clubs this season.

That luck may not always hold which means that not only do United need to bring in quality, they also need quantity.

The aforementioned Zigiotti Olme was joined by Fridolina Rolfö and Jess Park this summer as new additions but strength across the board is still needed.

As well as defensive cover at centre-back and full-back (although Hannah Blundell's gradual return has helped in the wide defensive roles). United should be looking to add more in central midfield. Zigiotti Olme and Hinata Miyazawa have formed a superb partnership but their physicality is lacking while Lisa Naalsund has plenty of strength but is not at the same level as the other two technically. Meanwhile, United are yet to see the best of Simi Awujo.

Up front, a new central striker is needed with Rachel Williams turning 38 next year and Melvine Malard more suited to wider roles leaving Elisabeth Terland as the only remaining out-and-out number nine.

It's a big wishlist but if INEOS want to show their commitment to the women's team – even if it is something Jim Ratcliffe himself doesn't personally share – then they need to back their manager and bring in multiple new faces in January.