Manchester United’s Women’s Team: Future Vision Under Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Manchester United’s Women’s Team Deserves a Clear Vision from Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recent admission that there is no detailed plan for the future of Manchester United Women has highlighted a significant oversight in the new ownership’s strategy.

Earlier this year, the 71-year-old billionaire acquired a minority stake in Manchester United, bringing renewed optimism after years of neglect under the Glazers. However, this optimism has not yet extended to the women’s team.

Ratcliffe’s apparent disinterest in Marc Skinner’s squad was evident in May when the team made history by winning their first major silverware, the FA Cup, by defeating Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley. While Spurs’ chairman Daniel Levy attended the match, Ratcliffe opted to watch a Premier League game against Arsenal at Old Trafford. A simple good luck message had to suffice for the women’s team.

It’s no surprise that United fans are frustrated by the INEOS CEO’s recent comments about the women’s team. When asked about their plans and developments, Ratcliffe admitted, “We haven’t got into that level of detail with the women’s football team yet. We’ve been pretty much focused on resolving the first team issues and that’s been pretty full-time for the first six months.”

This focus on the men’s senior side reveals a troubling complacency that threatens the club’s standing in the Women’s Super League (WSL). United only need to look at Liverpool to see the consequences of years of neglect and lack of vision.

The women’s team is approaching a critical period. Several senior players, including England international goalkeeper Mary Earps, are out of contract this summer. So far, there has been little progress in securing new deals.

Earps expressed her concerns candidly after a mixed season for the Red Devils. Despite the FA Cup win, their league performance was inconsistent, and they dropped out of the top four, with Liverpool overtaking them late in the season.

“The honest reality is that conversations are still ongoing,” Earps told Sky Sports. “I’ve been clear I don’t want to make an emotional decision. The beginning of the season was really tough. I felt really upset about things that were being said about me and things that came out that weren’t true. I’ve tried to be professional, keep my head down, work hard, and get on with my job, and that’s been hard. I’ve been a punching bag at times.”

Earps has asked the club for clarity on their future plans, but Ratcliffe’s comments suggest she might be waiting a while. The fast-paced nature of football means time is of the essence, and it remains to be seen how this uncertainty will impact current and prospective talent.

The success of Manchester United Women should not be an afterthought. Their recent FA Cup triumph risks being overshadowed by a lack of investment and strategic planning.

Polly Bancroft, United’s former head of women’s football, left at the end of the 2023/24 season after less than two years in the role. Matt Johnson has been appointed as an interim replacement while the club searches for a long-term successor.

As the WSL landscape rapidly evolves with increased investments from clubs like Liverpool and Tottenham, Manchester United must ensure they don’t fall behind their rivals. The women’s team is not a secondary priority and should not be treated as such.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s legacy at Manchester United will depend on the success of both the men’s and women’s teams. Anything less than a clear vision and strategy for the women’s team is a disservice to the players, fans, and the spirit of the club as a whole.