To say it has been a rocky summer for Manchester United Women would be an understatement.

They have lost Mary Earps, they have lost their captain Katie Zelem and they have temporarily lost their training facilities to the men’s side who are using them while there is renovation work at Carrington.

GettyAfter five years and 125 appearances, Earps finally bid farewell to Man United this summer[/caption]

But they have not lost the high expectations that come with the club name.

We must wait to see what exactly the new Ratcliffe-era means for Man United – the signs so far have been mixed – but the club needs a better WSL showing this year.

After finishing as runners-up to Chelsea back in the 2022/23 season, the pressure was on Manchester United last season.

But their league plans did not quite go to plan in the end, and they found themselves outside of the top four for the first time ever since being promoted to the top tier.

The blow was significantly soothed by them winning their first ever piece of silverware – lifting the FA Cup at the end of an impressive run and complete a double for the men’s and women’s sides.

As with the men’s side, a cup run is unlikely to be satisfactory to fans or to the higher-ups unless it is supported by a strong showing in the WSL.

And the man tasked with doing that for another year is one who has always divided opinion.

Manager: Marc Skinner

He might have won the club their first ever piece of silverware last season but Marc Skinner has not always been a favourite amongst Man United fans.

On more than one occasion last season, he faced reported chants of ‘Skinner Out’ from disgruntled supporters after bad results.

GettyDespite the criticism levelled at him, Skinner nonetheless won United Women their first trophy[/caption]

GettyBut he has faced the anger of the fans on multiple occasions, and knows a good WSL run is needed this year[/caption]

But having signed a one-year contract extension in May 2024, he has admitted he is determined that this year he wants more than anything.

“I want to make the fans happy this year,” he told talkSPORT.

“I want to give them a team that not only embodies the spirit of Manchester United, the Manchester people, but I want to win for them as well.

“It’s hard. We’re in the hardest league in women’s football in the world. But I want to do that.

“If I could walk away at the end of the season knowing that we’ve done that for the fans, then I think that would be a really good space for us to leave.”

He added: “We’ve got to perform. I’m going to task this younger energetic group to really put that into play this year. I want people to be excited by what we do. Be very clear. There’s going to be teething problems at first because we’re getting to know each other. But once we get that click and once we get that rhythm this team will fly. I have no doubt about that.”

More trophies would help him Skinner on his mission, certainly.

But perhaps more important is putting together a team which shows the potential to one day be able to challenge for that all-important WSL title.

Star player: Ella Toone

Man United may have lost many big players recently – but there is one forward who is not going anywhere.

Ella Toone, the legendary Lioness and club hero, is still as committed as ever after six seasons with the club.

And having scored 53 goals in 164 appearances, you can see why the 25-year-old would be feeling so positive.

GettyToone scored the opener in the Women’s FA Cup final last season[/caption]

She is the side’s all-time top goal-scorer and their record appearance-makerGetty

Having been voted Player of the Year last season though, she told talkSPORT – in her characteristic manner – that she still wants so much more.

“As players, you don’t just come into Manchester United and just get by,” she admitted. “You want to win things.

“Playing in the Champions League is something that every footballer wants. I think we’ve got to make sure we have that aim and everyone’s going in the same direction. Make sure we get that because that’s where we want to be.

“I think that’s the team we’ve got and we’ve got players in it who want to play in the Champions League. That’s definitely an aim that I’m hoping we can achieve this season.”

One to watch: Phallon Tullis-Joyce

Stepping into Earps’ boots is going to be no easy feat – and it looks like the keeper who will be asked to do just that is Phallon Tullis-Joyce.

The 27-year-old signed for Man United at the start of last season – but only picked up four appearances, all in the group stages of the League Cup.

GettyTullis-Joyce is currently battling Safia Middleton-Patel for the No.1 sport at Manchester United[/caption]

Ultimately, they did not qualify for the knockout stages after conceding three goals across those games.

But when the American signed for the Red Devils, it was for – at the time – a record fee for a goalkeeper.

After all, she did win the NWSL Shield whilst with her former club OL Reign out in America.

Perhaps the responsibility of being the permanent number one will be exactly what she needs to prove her worth this season.

Transfer window

Well, it has certainly been a busy one for Man United – but the big question remains whether the signings that they have brought in will be enough to make up for the ones that they have lost.

Can anybody really replace Earps in goal? Two FIFA Best awards and a Euro 2022 final would suggest not.

United were already struggling defensively when they did have EarpsGetty

It is still unclear what the Ratcliffe era means for the long-term future of the women’s sideAFP

Man United conceded 32 goals last season – significantly more than the top four finishers, and it is hard to imagine that number going down now that they have lost such a key figure between the sticks.

A huge reassurance will no doubt come in the form of Grace Clinton though, one of last season’s breakout stars.

She has been recalled from her loan spell at Tottenham where she was immensely impressive.

Clinton is also bringing her best-mate Celin Bizet along with her from Tottenham as the Red Devils signed the forward late in the transfer window.

Meanwhile, with Zelem departing it is Lioness Maya Le Tissier who takes over as the new skipper.

She is a quiet and unassuming figure, who is always calm and dependable on the pitch – the kind of personality who you would back to become a truly iconic captain over the years.

Clinton has been brought back after a dream spell at Spurs, and will no doubt get far more game time at United nowGetty

GettyUnited need sustained support to make them WSL contenders once again and avoid some of the lows of last season[/caption]

Despite some questionable business and some huge losses over the years, Man United still boast a squad full of huge talent – added to Toone and Clinton are the likes of Leah Galton, Geyse and Gabby George.

They deserve a level of support which allows them the chance to really show what they can do.