Manchester United have let the women team down with lack of depth in WSL and Champions League

When Manchester United relaunched their women’s side seven years ago, the ambition was clear: build a team capable of challenging at the very top of English football and eventually competing in Europe. Fast forward to today, and Marc Skinner’s side are about to embark on their maiden Women’s Champions League campaign. Add in a huge clash with Chelsea in the WSL on Friday night, and you could argue that United are exactly where they dreamed of being.

And yet, for all the progress, there’s a nagging sense that the club hasn’t done enough to prepare the team for this moment. The summer transfer window was supposed to be the final push to arm United with the depth required to battle with Chelsea, Arsenal, and Europe’s elite. Instead, it’s left Skinner staring at a gruelling calendar with a squad stretched to its absolute limit.

Man Utd have let the women’s team down with thin squad

Ella Toone Man United Women 2025-26

Nowhere has this been more obvious than in the opening weeks of the season. Against Liverpool, United were only able to name five substitutes, one of whom was a goalkeeper. That wasn’t a one-off. In fact, it’s become a pattern. In Champions League qualifiers earlier in September, United went into games with just two senior outfield options on the bench.

Carla Ward, working as a pundit for Sky Sports, didn’t mince her words. “I think Man Utd have let the women’s team down this year,” she said. “There’s an opportunity to bring more bodies in. They’re in the Champions League, they’re playing across all competitions. That’s such a small bench. It’s a thin bench.”

Her comments struck a chord with fans who have been watching the squad creak under the weight of injuries and heavy scheduling. For all the progress United have made, it feels like the club hierarchy underestimated just how big the jump into Europe’s elite competition would be.

Injuries highlight squad weakness

To be fair, United have been unlucky with injuries. Ten senior players have already missed matches this season, more than any other team in the WSL. Some of these have been minor knocks, others longer-term problems, but the cumulative effect has been devastating.

Millie Turner’s absence, for instance, has left Maya Le Tissier as the only recognised centre-back. At right-back, Jayde Riviere’s injury has forced midfielders to shuffle across in a makeshift solution. When the spine of a squad is disrupted this badly, it exposes the lack of depth everywhere else.

But injuries are part and parcel of a long campaign. Title challengers and Champions League hopefuls have to be able to withstand them. United, at present, simply cannot.

Chelsea comparison shows United’s shortcomings

Celin Bizet Man Utd Women 2025-26

If you want to see the gulf laid bare, look no further than Chelsea. Last weekend, Emma Hayes was without Lauren James, Lucy Bronze, Naomi Girma, Mayra Ramirez, Niamh Charles, and Kadeisha Buchanan. That’s half a starting XI out injured.

And yet, the Blues’ bench against West Ham was still stacked with internationals—eight of the nine substitutes were seasoned senior players. The only exception was Mara Alber, a promising 20-year-old from Hoffenheim. Chelsea can rotate, adapt, and still field elite-level quality.

United, by contrast, were missing five names and could only name five players on their bench—including a reserve goalkeeper. That’s the difference between a squad built to win on four fronts and one that’s being asked to punch above its weight.

Even Manchester City, who aren’t in the Champions League this year, boast enviable depth. Despite being without Lauren Hemp, Kerolin, Iman Beney, and Lily Murphy, City still named a nine-player bench against London City Lionesses, with seven senior first-teamers and five full internationals.

Disappointing summer window

Marc Skinner has carried his share of criticism since taking the reins in 2021, but this issue can’t be laid at his door. All summer long, he stressed the need for reinforcements—especially if United qualified for the Champions League group stage. “We then have to maintain two high-level games per week,” he explained, just before the window closed. “We’re probably going to need a couple more senior players to make sure that we have that balance week in, week out.”

He wanted two more signings in attacking areas, at the very least. Instead, United let Grace Clinton leave and brought in Jess Park, which balanced the numbers but did little to add depth. Clinton’s parting words—“the future of the club and I aren’t on the same page”—were a painful reminder that United still have work to do in convincing top talents of their long-term vision.

Meanwhile, Chelsea, Arsenal, and even London City Lionesses all broke the £1 million barrier for transfers. United, a club of vast financial stature, were nowhere near that bracket.

Quality signings, but not enough of them

It should be said that the players United did sign have been excellent. Julia Zigiotti Olme has transformed the midfield with her dynamism. Fridolina Rolfo, a two-time Champions League winner, has brought genuine world-class quality to the attack and the flexibility to cover at left-back. Jess Park, too, has already shown why City were reluctant to lose her permanently.

The problem isn’t quality—it’s quantity. United’s starting XI can go toe-to-toe with anyone, but when injuries bite or when fatigue sets in, there simply aren’t enough options. A Champions League campaign demands strength in depth. United don’t have it.

Fans demanding investment in Man Utd Women

Supporters have noticed, and they’re not staying quiet. At recent games, banners have been unfurled reading: “Invest in Man Utd Women.” The message is simple, powerful, and impossible to ignore.

It was especially visible during the 0-0 draw with Arsenal, a game where United’s lack of subs contrasted starkly with the Gunners introducing the likes of Beth Mead and Chloe Kelly from the bench. United fought bravely, holding on for a point, but it underlined the imbalance at play.

Skinner himself hasn’t hidden the need. “I’m going to stress, I think in the winter window, we need to add to the squad,” he said recently. “I think we need a bigger squad. But I can’t do anything about it right now, so my focus is making sure I’ve picked the right team at the right time, with the right changes.”

Is January too late?

The big fear is that January might come too late. United’s entire Champions League group stage schedule will be wrapped up before Christmas. The Chelsea game, the Manchester derby, and those heavyweight European ties against PSG and Wolfsburg will all have come and gone.

By the time reinforcements arrive, the damage may already be done. United might find themselves out of Europe and trailing too far behind in the WSL to mount a serious challenge.

Conclusion: United’s moment under threat

For years, Manchester United Women have been building towards this moment—big European nights, showdowns with Chelsea, and the chance to compete at the very top. But without proper backing, that dream risks slipping through their fingers.

Man Utd have let the women’s team down by failing to provide the squad depth required to meet the demands of this season. The talent in the starting XI is undeniable. The passion of the fans is unquestionable. What’s missing is the investment to ensure that when injuries hit and games pile up, the team can still compete.

The question now is whether the club acts quickly enough to stop this opportunity from passing them by.