New Manchester United women's manager Eva Olid has called for her side to be "brave" and adopt an "attacking mindset" ahead of her first match in charge, a Women's Super League season opener away to London City Lionesses on Friday. The Spaniard, who joins from Hearts after Marc Skinner's departure, arrives amid fan frustration over a quiet transfer window and doubts over whether United can challenge for a top-three finish, with the club operating on a significantly smaller budget than rivals Arsenal and Chelsea.

Olid, who led Hearts to their first Scottish league title, said she was used to being doubted but believed she could again "make something impossible possible" given time. She wants to implement a more attacking, higher-risk style than United played under Skinner, acknowledging the switch is difficult after an underwhelming pre-season but insisting the club backed her approach when they hired her. She has brought in former assistant Gavin Beith and is reportedly planning further recruitment in January to suit her attacking philosophy, with the club also said to be focusing on developing young players.