PREVIEW: Can Manchester United build on last season’s success? | OneFootball

Last season, Manchester United enjoyed their second-best league run, finishing third behind champions Chelsea and runners-up Arsenal. The Red Devils won 13, drew five and lost four over the 2024-25 season, cementing third place with 44 points and a +25 goal difference.

A marked improvement from their fifth-place finish (and 35 points) the previous season, United’s success was based on the strength of their defence: they only conceded 16 goals, four of which came in their final game (against Arsenal), keeping 13 clean sheets in 22 games.

Defensive consistency

Contributing to this defensive record was the consistency of the back line: goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce started every game, with new club captain Maya Le Tissier a constant presence in defence. Millie Turner was her usual partner at centre-back, with Jayde Riviere at right-back and Gabby George on the left.

Tullis-Joyce, Le Tissier and Riviere all earned places in the PFA Team of the Season, and Tullis-Joyce shared the Golden Glove with Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton.

Ahead of this season, however, the backline that was so consistent is riddled with changes. George is struggling for form after suffering an injury at the end of last season and Turner sustained a fracture in her foot during the FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea.

The signing of Julia Zigiotti Olme has also posed a challenge for head coach Marc Skinner: last season, Dutch international Dominique Janssen joined the club and immediately shifted from a defensive role into midfield, as the central midfield area was light following the departure of Katie Zelem.

In their pre-season friendlies and Champions League (UWCL) qualifiers, Zigiotti has been playing that role, with Janssen returning to her more traditional centre-back or left-back position.

While Skinner is likely experimenting with formation and waiting for Turner to regain full fitness, this is yet another defensive change and it is likely that Le Tissier and Janssen will need time to develop the symbiotic relationship of Le Tissier and Turner.

The impact of European football

United’s top three finish last season gave them the opportunity to enter the qualifying rounds of the 2025-26 UWCL. Winning their round two qualifiers, United are guaranteed European football of some kind – either the UWCL or the inaugural Europa Cup.

The impact of additional games on player load is undoubtedly a concern – one only needs to look at Manchester City’s injury record last season to appreciate the importance of squad depth.

Thus far, United’s activity has been restricted to two signings: the Swedish duo Julia Zigiotti Olme and Fridolina Rolfö. Both are strong additions – particularly the acquisition of Rolfö on a free transfer from Barcelona – however there are still areas of weakness in United’s squad, particularly if they are hit by injuries.

In their recent UWCL qualifier against Hammarby, United only named eight players on the bench compared to Hammarby’s 12, with two of United’s substitutes being goalkeepers and four of the rest being newly promoted from the youth setup.

This highlights the club’s major weakness – that it will only take a few injuries for the quality available for Skinner to dwindle, and major reinforcements are still needed.

Fan pressure on head coach Skinner

Skinner, who joined from Orlando Pride in 2021, is now the WSL’s longest-serving head coach. His tenure has brought both highs and lows: a first major trophy with the 2024 FA Cup and a second-place league finish in 2023, but also growing criticism over an overly defensive style of play and a lack of tactical flexibility.

Across his four seasons, United have finished 4th (2021–22), 2nd (2022–23), 5th (2023–24), and 3rd (2024–25). The challenge for Skinner now is to establish United as consistent top-three contenders alongside Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City.

Although the women’s side was only reformed in 2018, expectations are rising for United to match the standards of the league’s established powers – and with those expectations comes pressure for the head coach.

Player to watch: Elisabeth Terland

Terland’s strong pre-season form makes her a natural player to watch this year. In her debut United season she notched 10 goals and five assists in 20 games; at times she lacked the service to have a greater impact.

With Zigiotti and Rolfö joining the team, United have more dynamism in midfield and more ways of initiating the press, reducing Terland’s workload and freeing her up to stay forward. This should provide greater service for the Norwegian striker, and the early indications are positive: she scored four goals in two games during UWCL qualifying.

Key signing: Julia Zigiotti Olme

Whilst there are only two signings to choose from, the potential impact of Zigiotti is unparalleled. Her impact can be seen across the pitch, from the defensive line to the forwards: her position in central midfield frees Janssen to start in defence, providing more cover there.

One of her biggest strengths is that even when playing in a deeper midfield position, she is able to transition quickly, initiating the press and making high intensity forward runs.

Can they make the top three again?

There are major barriers facing United this year: they are guaranteed European football in some capacity, increasing the load on a squad that is already light in depth.

There are also greater opponents in the league this season: Manchester City will be buoyed by the returns of golden boot winner Bunny Shaw and WSL all time top scorer Vivianne Miedema, who both missed a significant number of games last season.

London City Lionesses may be a new face in the top-flight, but the quality of their signings suggests they are aiming straight for the top three, with names such as Danielle van de Donk, Nikita Parris, Alana Kennedy, and Katie Zelem joining their ranks.

If United fail to keep up the momentum generated by the FA Cup win and top three finish, it is likely pressure on Skinner – and the club as a whole – will increase, and it will be increasingly difficult to challenge the rest of the WSL elite again.