This is looking to be one of the best FA WSL seasons yet, with clubs across the league signing top players such as Pernille Harder, Jess Fishlock, Steph Catley, Jessie Fleming and Rachel Daly.
Casey Stoney's side finished 4th in the curtailed 2019/20 season, behind the usual top three: Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City who have rotated the two Champions League positions between themselves since 2014.
But this campaign, the FA WSL has three Champions League spots available and it might be time for a different club to represent the WSL on the world stage.
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United can break into the top trio
Manchester United have only been in existence for three years, compared to Arsenal and Chelsea who have been around for over 25 years, and Stoney is well aware that her club is still catching up to the more established women's sides.
Stoney is confident that this campaign they can better their fourth place finish of the 2019/20 season:
"This is our third year in existence, we're building it slowly, we've got a fantastic squad, and I'm proud of the work we've done in the window and the squad we’ve got is capable of achieving things.
"It's quite apparent that some clubs have bigger budgets than others, but what we believe in at this club is developing and coaching our players. We believe in the long-term plan and vision that we’ve got in place.
"It's natural, in the men's game you have bigger budgets at the top than the bottom. It’s showing in the women’s game now."
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Having players like Harder in the league should be motivation to play harder
Stoney believes that going up against the best players in the world should serve as motivation for her squad to be as good as the players they're going up against. Prove that they can get the better of the likes of Pernille Harder.
The Danish international signed for Chelsea for a women's football record breaking transfer fee of £300,000 from Champions League runners-up VfL Wolfsburg.
"She's a world class player, but what a great test if she plays on Sunday. If I was a player I'd want to take her on and compete against her and match her or better her."
"It's a great test, they're a good team, I watched them last weekend [in the Community Shield], the strength in depth they have is very strong.
"They made a record signing this week, it's a great test, but at the end of the day it's 11 v 11 with a goal at either end. We'll have a real good go, compete and I believe in the players."
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United must grow with the league
"We keep working hard, we have to work extremely hard, make sure we're getting enough detail in developing our players, we want to keep improving and we know that means pushing into the top three.
"If you look at the quality from all across the world, Europe, America, Australia, players want to come here now, some of it might be Covid related but it means the league is competitive and it will be one of the most competitive leagues ever, which is great for the game in this country."
