Women’s Super League 2022-23 previews No 9: Manchester United

It was a case of so near yet so far for Manchester United last season as they were pipped to the WSL’s final Champions League spot by Manchester City.

This is Marc Skinner’s second season in charge, having had a year to bed in his ideas and personnel. There will be belief in their ranks that they are in a strong position to take that next step and secure European football. Consistency is key and departures have been minimal. There is evidence that their star players, such as Alessia Russo and Ella Toone, are hitting something close to top form.

United have also recruited impressively. The Spain forward Lucía García and France defender Aïssatou Tounkara bring international flair and Nikita Parris’s arrival also caught the eye. The England winger signed after a difficult season at Arsenal and is looking to rediscover the form that earned her a move to Lyon. The Canada attacker Adriana Leon is also a strong acquisition, arriving from West Ham with an Olympic gold, and Rachel Williams brings a wealth of WSL experience.

Perhaps most exciting is the young talent Skinner has brought in. Maya Le Tissier is one of the buys of window. The defender, still only 20, has been a mainstay at Brighton in recent years, her consistency and performances earning plenty of praise. Grace Clinton is an attacking player with potential. Both are involved in the English youth pathway and there is a lot of hope that they will make that leap to the senior side.

United have had a strong pre-season, heading to France to play some of Europe’s finest. A win over Paris Saint-Germain and defeat by Bayern Munich will have given them a much stronger idea of where they are at. A tough opening fixture awaits at Tottenham. That will be the perfect opportunity