Where does new arrival Ellen Wangerheim fit into Manchester United?
Analysis on the move for the highly-rated Swedish forward, including Marc Skinner's take on where the 21-year-old will play
Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Sweden international Ellen Wangerheim for an undisclosed fee. Wangerheim has signed on a three and a half year deal, which sees her at the club until June 2029.
The 21-year-old forward joins United from Hammarby IF, having made over 100 appearances and won the OBOS Damallsvenskan title and Swedish Cup in 2023.
Wangerheim said, “I am so excited. It feels amazing to be here. It’s a huge club with a big history. So sitting here in this shirt is a proud moment for me.”
Since the first reports of Wangeheim’s potential arrival, fans have questioned where she will play along the front line.
“I see her right now predominantly more on the right-hand side, but she can be a ‘nine’ for us at any point. She can join from the wide right, the wide left, and come in and invert. I see her adding quality and different skillsets to each of those three front positions. I also haven’t ruled out going two forwards with those forwards that we have now,” United manager Marc Skinner told The Cutback.
United already have a number of players who can play as the striker, with Elisabeth Terland, Melvine Malard, Fridolina Rolfo and January signing Lea Schuller all having played there under Skinner.
Then there’s Jess Park, who has been the consistent starter on the right wing this season. However, with Ella Toone’s injury, Park has started more centrally. All of this means a potential starting spot has opened up for Wangerheim on the right wing.
Skinner added about the need for United to have different ways of attacking, with the team struggling a little in front of goal this season.
“It just gives us more options to be more flexible. We were becoming too predictable. I want us to become more unpredictable because that’s always been where our strength has been,” Skinner said.
The signing of Wangerheim is the third addition to Skinner’s squad this window after Hanna Lundkvist and Schuller coming in already, showing the ambition to really strengthen the squad this month with big games in the league and cup in the second half of the season.
United will take on Burnley in the fourth round of the FA Cup this Sunday, before a midweek League Cup semifinal away to Arsenal on 21 January. A trip to Aston Villa in the WSL on 25 January caps off a tricky three-match week.
Then, in just over a month, all eyes will be on Skinner’s squad depth ahead of the return of the Women’s Champions League and United’s two-legged knockout tie against Atletico Madrid on 12 February and 19 February.
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