United's season so far: A new leader and misfiring attack
Conner Roberts takes a closer look at Manchester United's season so far as the team prepares to return from the winter break
The season so far
The feeling around the fan base is a mixed bag. The team’s results heading into the winter break were not awful, with just the one defeat to league leaders Chelsea, who are yet to lose a game themselves. Performances overall from an attacking point of view seem to be lacking with United scoring less, having less shots and less average possession than the 2023-24 campaign so far.
Despite this, the defensive side of the team has massively improved with only three goals conceded in the WSL with goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce looking extremely good between the sticks keeping United in a lot of games so far, as shown by the expected goals against (10.9) - the highest in the top four. Maya Le Tissier has also stepped into the captain role brilliantly, leading by example, vocal on and off the pitch and putting in solid performances at the back.
Biggest surprise of the season
Lack of real attacking output. United started the first quarter of the season with a new system with manager Marc Skinner talking about wanting the team to be “the same but different” in pre-season. This saw Ella Toone and Grace Clinton playing as two No. 10s and the width on the left by Leah Galton from full-back creating a back three when United had possession.
After three draws in a row, the last of those being a very disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Aston Villa, the shape of the team went back to something similar to what we saw last season with traditional wingers again and Clinton occupying the centre No. 10 role. The team do look more suited to this setup, albeit performances are still a bit lower than many fans think this team is capable of.
The position of Dominique Janssen has also been a surprise with many fans expecting her to come in and start in the centre-back role, where she has previously played for Wolfsburg. Instead she has played in defensive midfield position for United so far this season.
While Janssen certainly has those capabilities and provided a couple of assists from that position, at times the midfield balance still looks off. I personally still think she would be more suited to the centre-back position but while the team has only conceded three in the WSL so far this season, the same argument can be made - if something is working, don’t disrupt it. The concern now is with Hayley Ladd joining Everton on a permanent deal United don’t have much cover in that position.
Expectations for the rest of the campaign
The target for the second half of the season has to be aiming for the top three in the WSL and a successful run in the cups. Having been to back to back FA Cup finals fans will be excited at the potential possibility of three finals in three years in that competition. In the League Cup, United have a tough route to the final with Manchester City in the quarter-final and the possibility of Arsenal or Brighton in the semi-final, both teams United have failed to beat so far this season. The League Cup is a competition United have never won or even reached the final in before. It’s not a priority for many fans, but personally I would like to see us go all the way in that competition this season.
What do United need in January?
A back up goalkeeper. It was no secret that United were in the market for a goalkeeper in the summer window with Saf Middleton-Patel stepping into that role. She’s a very good, promising young keeper but she has zero WSL experience. This is one of the most important positions to bring someone in to provide that cover for Tullis-Joyce, should she pick up an injury. Middleton-Patel can potentially be loaned out to further her own development.
Player contracts is another big talking point now we are into the winter transfer window with key players such as Clinton, Millie Turner and Jayde Riviere all out of contract at the end of the season. Despite these players having another year option it’s crucial United get these players tied down to a new deal before other clubs undoubtedly start taking an interest. There is obvious concern with the players out of contract after previous years of seeing key players depart at the end of theirs, however I don’t think United fans will need to worry for too much longer with one or two of those.
Will you be amending your pre-season prediction?
No. I predicted United would finish third at the start of the season and I still believe the team will finish there or higher. The defensive record alone shows that the team will not be beaten easily so I don’t expect many dropped points between now and the end of the season.
I see no reason why we can't or won't finish 2nd.
City are a two player team (Shaw/Hemp), so you take Hemp away, & that hugely reduces the chances for Shaw.
Arsenal don't have a clue who their manager is, so whilst there is such confusion, I can see them dropping points, whereas, we have a fairly settled squad & a manager who knows how to get the very best out of them.
Chelsea are obviously the run away winners of the league, no doubts there.