Manchester United rebuild WSL form ahead of Manchester City derby
United find a balance after difficult start
Manchester United head into Sunday’s derby against Women’s Super League leaders Manchester City on a six-match winning run in all competitions, a marked turnaround after a difficult opening to the season.
Eva Olid’s side had failed to win their first three league matches and were struggling to adapt to the new manager’s possession-focused, high-risk approach. The team had less than 40% possession and managed only two shots on target in defeats by London City Lionesses and Chelsea. A 5-0 loss to Chelsea prompted what Olid described as honest conversations about how to move forward.
Defensive structure provides a platform
Olid urged her players to retain the strengths they already knew, particularly their defensive organisation, while introducing her preferred style progressively. “The things they were good at before, they need to keep and at the same time, little by little, we need to implement our new style,” she said before United’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
That result offered a foundation for improvement. In their next three WSL games, United collected nine points, scored six goals and conceded two. They also increased their possession and became more productive going forward: after recording 197 passes into the final third across their first three league fixtures, they made 529 in the following three. Their shots rose from 10 to 42 over those respective three-match spells.
United have since extended the run with victories in other competitions, including their first win of the season against Sheffield United in the Women’s League Cup. They are now fifth in the WSL, eight points behind unbeaten Manchester City.
Conversations and a reset helped restore confidence
Olid said the team had come through a “transitional period” and was now more connected. The manager also used the international break to reassess her methods, organise the coaching staff and spend more time working with the squad. Jose Herrera joined as assistant coach, alongside Gavin Beith, who had worked with Olid at Hearts.
“I feel now we are connected,” Olid said. “That doesn’t mean we won’t have more less good days, but I think we have that understanding of each other.”
Individual performances have lifted too. Vice-captain Ella Toone scored in the 3-1 win at Charlton after missing out on an England selection, while summer signing Andrea Medina has become an important member of the team. Captain Maya le Tissier returned from international duty with renewed energy after impressing for England.
United now face a derby challenge against a City side at the top of the table. Olid said the occasion itself should help motivate her players: “It’s a derby. I think the players are always motivated, but against City, there has to be something else, no?”