Manchester United's women's team head into the new Women's Super League season without a manager, after Marc Skinner left the role by mutual consent following five years in charge, and with a squad many observers see as under-strengthened. The timing has fuelled concerns that United risk falling behind their rivals, reviving longstanding questions about the club's commitment to the women's side, given previous controversies over training facilities, staffing losses and comments from owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Sources say Skinner and the club had become misaligned over strategy, with United pursuing a more sustainable, youth-focused model while Skinner pushed for greater squad investment, a frustration he voiced publicly after defeats to Manchester City and Chelsea last season. Despite operating on a wage bill of £5.9m in 2024-25 (against Chelsea's £14.5m), Skinner had reached a League Cup final and the Champions League quarter-finals, but United have made only modest signings this summer (defender Andrea Medina and goalkeeper Janina Leitzig) while rivals Arsenal and Chelsea have spent heavily, including Chelsea's £850,000 capture of United forward Melvine Malard.