Are Man Utd judged differently to other WSL sides?
Manchester United's women's team have faced renewed scrutiny following the departure of manager Marc Skinner, reigniting long-standing criticism of the club's investment in the side since it turned professional in 2018. Sources close to the club say they feel unfairly treated by the media, with tensions boiling over last season when The Athletic was banned from post-match huddle questions. The debate centres on whether United, as one of the world's biggest football clubs, are held to a different standard than their WSL rivals, and whether that scrutiny is justified given the team's results and off-field decisions.
Under Skinner, United twice finished in the WSL's top three, reached three consecutive FA Cup finals, won a first major trophy and reached the Champions League quarter-finals in their debut European campaign, yet still drew criticism from fans over performances against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City. Concerns over facilities date back to 2021, when Casey Stoney resigned citing a lack of resources, and resurfaced in 2024 when the women's team were moved out of Carrington to make way for the men's side, alongside co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's comments describing the women as "an opportunity". The club has also lost key staff and players, including England internationals Alessia Russo and Mary Earps on free transfers, and top scorer Melvine Malard, who joined Chelsea this summer for £850,000, with no replacement yet signed.
- Man Utd Women face fresh scrutiny after Marc Skinner's exit as manager.
- Critics cite underinvestment, lost trophies and departures of star players.
- Debate over whether United face tougher judgement than WSL rivals.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Despite achieving top-three WSL finishes, reaching three FA Cup finals, winning a major trophy and progressing to the Champions League quarter-finals, Manchester United's women's team continues to receive disproportionate media criticism that other clubs with comparable investment levels do not face. This suggests the world's biggest football club is held to an arbitrary and unrealistic standard, measured against the men's team rather than judged fairly against WSL competition itself.
The case against
The criticism is grounded in substantive issues, not unfair treatment: the club downgraded facilities by removing the women's team from Carrington, acknowledged resource shortages since 2021, lost England internationals on free transfers, and heard dismissive comments from co-ownership about the women's project. Given Manchester United's vastly greater resources compared to WSL rivals, reasonable scrutiny of management failures and underinvestment in the women's team is simply appropriate accountability, not evidence of being judged by a different standard.