Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterManchester United Womens new era under Eva Olid could hardly have got off to a more difficult start.A 2-1 defeat to London City Lionesses was followed by a 5-0 thrashing by Chelsea, leaving Olids side with plenty of questions to answer after just two Womens Super League games.With a new manager, a significantly reshaped squad and no European football this season, there are already reasons for concern at United.Latest Videos FromFourFourTwoWatch full video here: A huge summer of changeOlid was brought in to replace Marc Skinner after United finished fourth in the WSL last season, missing out on European football.The club have also seen a significant number of players depart this summer, with Hannah Blundell, Leah Galton, Gabby George, Melvine Malard, Lisa Naalsund and Millie Turner all leaving the club. You may like 'Its exciting to be a part of that change' Ella Toone on a new era for the WSL and Manchester United Watch London City Lionesses vs Manchester United: Free Streams Michael Carrick has done the minimum required so far at Manchester United: now the work REALLY begins In their place, United brought in Rebeca Bernal, Monica Jusu Bah, Janina Leitzig and Andrea Medina, but questions around whether the club had done enough business in the transfer window were rife amongst fans.The lack of investment in the womens team has long been a concern at Manchester United, and something Skinner struggled with over his five-year tenure.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.In April he said: "I'm absolutely passionate about what we do. But we have to make some changes in the summer. We have to make some changes to make sure that we can compete with what's clearly a financial market at times.The summer rebuild was then compounded by the arrival of Olid, who has never managed in the WSL before. Having only joined at the start of August, she has had limited time to implement her playing style and get a new squad up to speed.Poor results and worrying performancesUnited's opening two results have done little to settle those questions. What to read next London City Lionesses could really push Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea this season I was in a new team that won trophies, it can definitely happen with the right players England great speaks to FFT about the new campaign HENRY WINTER: Michael Carrick is hurting at Manchester United but Pro Ref error is only partly to blame Manchester United bordered on challenging under Michael Carrick, but can the now permanent manager prevent the Red Devils from their usual backslide in his first complete season? Manchester United 2026-27 season preview The defeat to London City was disappointing, with Alexia Putellas new side outplaying United for most of the match. Simi Awujo scored a consolation goal deep into stoppage time, but United offered little attacking threat before then.The Chelsea loss was more concerning.United managed just two shots compared to Chelsea's 24, while nobody in a United shirt received a FotMob rating above 6.5.Unsurprisingly, defenders Dominique Janssen and Maya Le Tissier were particularly low-rated, receiving scores of 2.8 and 4.6 respectively.It was not simply the result that was concerning. United were repeatedly exposed defensively, struggled to press Chelsea effectively and made a number of individual errors.There will be an inevitable adjustment period as Olid implements a new system, but the Chelsea performance suggested some of the problems go beyond simply learning a new style. United struggled to play out from the back, were slow off the ball and lacked creativity in attack.There have been positives, with Medina impressing in both games before being forced off injured against Chelsea. Bernal also made her debut and could provide another option in midfield. But there is clearly plenty of work to do.The pressure starts nowThere is still a long way to go in the season and two games should not define a campaign.But United's lack of European football means their progress will be judged almost entirely on their domestic results, while rivals around them have strengthened.Having made history last season by reaching the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time, United must return to European competition to show progress. But right now, finishing third in the WSL seems a long way off.For Olid, the challenge is to get the team on board as she establishes a new identity, while restoring confidence before a difficult starts develops into a rut.Two games do not make a season, but United have already given their new manager plenty to fix.TOPICSManchester UnitedManchester United WomenWSLWomen's Super LeagueAyisha GulatiWomen's Football WriterAyisha Gulati is the women's football writer at FourFourTwo. Fresh from a summer covering the Lionesses triumphant Euro 2025 campaign in Switzerland, she brings a passion for all things WSL, UWCL, and international womens football. She has interviewed names including Alessia Russo and Aitana Bonmati and enjoys telling stories that capture the excitement on and off the pitch.
