“Red flags everywhere”: Fresh details emerge on Man United’s shocking treatment of women’s team

Fresh details have emerged regarding Manchester United’s shocking treatment of their women’s team, with one club employee telling Sky Sports that Marc Skinner’s side currently feel like “an afterthought.”

Over recent weeks, there have been several instances in which the women’s team have borne the brunt of decisions made by United.

A report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that the FA Cup winners were moved into portable buildings to make way for the men’s squad to use the women’s building while the men’s first team facilities are undergoing a revamp.

It was stated that the portable structures would house everyday zones such as the changing rooms, team meeting rooms, office spaces and communal areas for the women’s players and staff. Unsurprisingly, this decision did not go down well with some players in Skinner’s ranks, who were left disappointed.

Another report revealed that The Professional Footballers’ Association were set to step in on behalf of the women’s team amid concerns over the environment at United.

It was the second time in three years in which the PFA were made aware of concerns by United’s women’s team. In 2021 members of the squad approached the PFA for support in improving conditions at the club.

So far this summer, the women’s team have endured a mass player exodus, with several key stars parting ways with the club as free agents.

The likes of club captain Katie Zelem, Lucia Garcia, Mary Earps and Irene Guerrero have all left the side.

United offered Earps a new deal but she ultimately felt like the direction of the club did not align with her career ambitions – challenging for top honours and trophies on a regular basis. The goalkeeper elected to complete a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe previously admitted that he and INEOS don’t have a clear plan in place for the women’s team. In an interview with Bloomberg, the billionaire stated that at the moment, their primary focus is the men’s set-up.

In 2005, the Glazers scrapped the women’s team, citing that it was “not part of their core business” After years of pressure and criticism, they brought it back, effectively ending United’s status as the only Premier League club that did not have a women team.

According to Sky Sports, that decision was made “begrudgingly” and to this day, there is still a strong feeling that the women’s team is unwanted.

It’s understood that former chief John Murtough was keen on implementing changes in an effort to strengthen the women’s set-up but his ambition was not shared by the Glazers, who were reluctant to sanction signings and improvement initiatives.

Sky spoke to an agent who said, “The high turnover of key players is not an accident, it is an indictment on how Manchester United treat the women’s team.”

“When they compare their situation to their mates at Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, they realise how much they are being disregarded. The issues that were raised by players in 2021 are still a concern now.”

“It is also just extremely bad business to let so many contracts run down and to have a lack of clear communication, support, and negotiation structures. It has felt like the women’s team is an area to cut costs instead of actually rewarding your top players.”

“There has also been a high turnover of coaching and sports science staff in the past year. There are red flags everywhere.”

An employee associated with the women’s team also told the news outlet, “It’s hard not to feel like an afterthought; not just behind the men but the academy too.”

Sky note that United executives are conscious of the ongoing troubles and remain committed to fostering a “competitive but warm environment.”

Work is currently underway to have better structures and processes in place. Now that Dan Ashworth is in place as sporting director, his remit will include “strengthening the framework around the women’s team and introducing more stability.”

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