Manchester United Women have appointed Spanish coach Eva Olid as their new head coach, signing a two-year contract running until 2028 with the option of a further year. She replaces Marc Skinner, whose surprise departure was announced on Monday, and joins as the club says it is prioritising the development of homegrown young players over big-money signings.

Olid, 40, previously led Heart of Midlothian to their first Scottish Women's Premier League title before leaving by mutual agreement after a five-year spell at the Edinburgh club. United, who finished fourth in the WSL last season and reached the Women's Champions League quarter-finals and League Cup final, said her ability to develop individual players and implement an exciting style of football made her the ideal fit for their long-term vision. Both Olid and the club's director of women's football, Matt Johnson, described the appointment as the start of an exciting new era built on academy investment and sustainable growth.