The expectations of Manchester United's women's team seem only to have grown since the Reds' first season in the Women's Super League. A stunning performance as a newly-built team in the Championship, United won the league and went into the WSL with great expectations. This season is a different level though.
United managed several solid and stable performances during last season while mixing them with some low key ones as well. Ending up fourth in the table when the season abruptly came to an end was indeed a surprise. And yet not.
It would have been fair to say that no one would have had that expectation for a newcomer in England's highest division. But after all - this is Manchester United.
The question is; do the expectations come from the fans or the Reds themselves? In an article published August 13th, head coach Casey Stoney told Sky Sport News:
"I know what we're capable of. We know we can put ourselves into that top three. That's our target - it has to be."
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Last season's standout performances
When United hosted Arsenal on September 17th last year at Leigh Sports Village the Reds showed why they belonged in the WSL. Arsenal, with top-scorer Vivianne Miedema at the helm, pushed the newcomers from Manchester hard all through the game.
Still, the Gunners had problems with being effective in front of the goal where Mary Earp showed her qualities as a goalkeeper well backed up by the team's formidable fighting defenders.
It was, therefore, a big disappoint for United when Arsenal player Danielle van de Donk managed to score a last-minute gasp in the 89th minute.
Another standout performance worth talking about, even though it ended with a 1-0 loss was United's away game vs Chelsea at Kingsmeadow on November 17th.
The Reds came from a winning streak, having not lost in five games straight, and put up a massive performance when they managed to make the London team's attacks relatively inefficient for most of the game.
For United, the encounter between the two teams felt unfair when Millie Turner took Chelsea forward Fran Kirby down inside the penalty area in the second half and had to see Maren Mjelde score from the spot. Even so, the Reds showed great courage and qualities in their game, which also was one of the reasons for ending up fourth when the league was decided.
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Players in, players out
United have announced the departures of Lizzie Arnot, Mollie Green, Amy Palmer, Charlotte Newsham and Fran Bentley who has gone on loan to Blackburn.
Lizzie Arnot's name will forever be in the history books of the Manchester United saga after scoring the only goal in the side's first competitive match, a 1–0 win against Liverpool in the FA Women's League Cup on August 19th, 2018.
Two of United's three new signings are young, promising talents but the Reds have also added one player that is going to provide the team with a lot of significant experience; Lucy Staniforth.
United brought the 27-year-old midfielder in from Birmingham after she'd agreed on a two-year-deal with the Reds.
With her 16 senior appearances for the Lionesses and having been a part of the squad for 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup and 2020 SheBelieves Cup, Staniforth will bring a lot into United's midfield. After the deal was announced her first word about her new club address was:
"I'm really happy to have signed with Manchester United; it's the biggest club in the world, and I'm so proud to be part of it. I've been impressed with the performances from last season and the club's future ambitions. I wanted to come here to win trophies and make history with this club, and I'm just excited to get started."
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Two announcements in July
In the middle of July United made two announcements about new signings. Ona Batlle, a Spanish full-back who has spent the beginning of her career in Barcelona youth academy and the last two season within Levante.
Batlle, who is seen as one that will play a big part in Spain's football future, has five senior international caps and has been part of the senior Spain national team since 2019. Batlle said:
“It’s an honour and a pleasure to sign for Manchester United; to work with Casey and be a part of this team is a fantastic opportunity. To have the chance to come over to play in England and really push myself as a player is very exciting. I can’t wait to meet my new team-mates and help to contribute to as much success as I can.”
The next day young German Ivana Fuso from the Swiss side FC Basel was presented as a new player into the Reds squad.
The 19-year-old can play in various attacking positions and is currently named captain for the U19 German national team. The deal with United will keep her in Manchester for two years. Fuso also has experience from playing in the Frauen Bundesliga where she has been a part of SC Freiburg. On this signing, Casey Stoney said:
“Ivana is a talented young attacking player with a lot of potentials, and I’m delighted she has signed for the club.
“She is an intelligent player who is fantastic in possession and will add so much to our attacking play. I’ve also been impressed with the leadership skills she possesses at such a young age, and I know she will fit in well with the squad.
“I’d like to welcome Ivana to the team; we are all looking forward to working with her.”
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Players to look out for
Except for the new signings, the players that one should keep an eye out for the season ahead must be Lauren James and Jackie Groenen.
James proved to be an essential part of United's attack, and although she just ended up with six goals on the scoresheet at the end of the season, because of an injury at the end, it will be exciting to see if James is going to break her goalscoring record during the new season.
The Dutch central midfielder Groenen was brought for her excellent range of passing and her ability to dictate the pace and flow in the game. She wasn't the standout player looking back at her first season as she got a little isolated with her back to goal in the way Stoney chose to play. Still, she is one of the players who, if she ends up in position facing the goal with the ball at her feet, should be a joy to watch in the upcoming campaign.
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The prediction
Maybe the Reds, on paper, are a little bit behind the top three. But it is still Manchester United we are talking about. Accompanied by three or four other teams below last season's top three, they have a good chance to threat and push themselves into the competition for a spot into the UEFA Champions League.
With that being said, the most realistic take on this would be that they are going to end up defending their fourth place from last season.