Marc Skinner's Manchester United: Formation, tactics and style of play

A new series showcasing the tactical profiles of every Women's Super League team in partnership with The Underrated Scout

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This piece is part of a special Team Profiles series with The Underrated Scout. Across the next few months we’ll be publishing pieces on the tactics, style of play and trends of every WSL team.

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After finishing well off the pace for Uefa Women’s Champions League qualification in the 2023-24 season, Manchester United entered this campaign with renewed urgency. Determined to take a step forward under Marc Skinner, the club made targeted reinforcements over the summer and focused on building a more consistent league performance.

So far, that strategy appears to be paying off. United are currently on track for a top-three finish and their second qualification for the Champions League. Despite this progress, the season hasn’t been without setbacks. Costly slip-ups against West Ham, Aston Villa and fierce rivals Liverpool, have raised broader questions about the team’s overall performance and consistency. Nevertheless, their resilience and depth have shone through, particularly in domestic cup competitions, reaching a third consecutive FA Cup final and showing they are becoming a serious force in knockout football.

In this analysis we’ll look at Skinner’s tactical adjustments, squad development, and key performances that have fuelled their rise, and whether this could finally be the year they deliver both silverware and a breakthrough on the European stage.