Last month, we were brought another reminder of how far the women’s game still has to go to achieve equality and respect. Manchester United announced that their women’s team will be temporarily moved out of their training ground this season, to enable the men’s team to use the facilities while their own ground undergoes renovation.
Man United’s women’s team have been moved from their training ground into portable facilities so the men’s side can use their ground, as their own facilities at Carrington are being given a £50 million refurbishment over the course of the upcoming season. The women’s and academy facilities opened in October, a £10 million site also on Carrington, and described as ‘a dedicated space for the women and another sign of Manchester United’s commitment to building a strong position in the women’s game’. This absolutely feels like a slap in the face and an awful message sent out to young girls and boys that support the club – that the women’s team is still an afterthought and an easy target.
This isn’t the first time that the club have faced scrutiny over their treatment of the women’s team. In fact, Manchester United only announced their plans to reintroduce their women’s team. In March 2018. This came after a 13 year long absence as the Glazers, when taking over the club, disbanded the team in 2005, deeming it ‘unprofitable’ and not in their core plans. The team began in the Championship and were promoted to the WSL the following season. Last season, after being in the top flight for just five seasons, Man United Women won the FA Cup, beating Tottenham in an outstanding 4-0 performance. Despite this historic achievement, Manchester United cancelled their annual club awards evening for the men, women and academy, following the disappointment of the men’s team in the Premier League. The club didn’t show up for the FA cup final either, instead choosing to attend United men’s Premier league game against Arsenal which they lost.
We’ve already began to see the consequences of the club making such a poor and disappointing decision. United have already announced the departure of several key players, such as Lucia Garcia, who scored two in the FA Cup Final, as well captain Katie Zelem, who had been with the club ever since it was reintroduced. Winger Nikita Parris is also rumoured to leave, after turning down an offer from North Carolina Courage just this Spring to stay with the club. Perhaps the most notable departure of all, however, is goalkeeper Mary Earps who leaves Manchester after five years with the Red Devils. England’s number one was rumoured to be departing for a while, and appears to be joining PSG, wanting to compete for regular silverware. A summer of big departures whilst the women are pushed out of their own training ground isn’t a coincidence but rather symptomatic of deeper issues of sexism within the club.
The underlying message that Manchester United are tossing their women’s team aside and “not considering them as a first team” is also hugely detrimental for trying to attract new players into the squad. Although winning the FA Cup, last season the side finished fifth in the Super League – a huge disappointment given they had pushed Chelsea all the way to the final day the season prior. One reason for this was significant outcomings such as Russo and Battle, as well as new players such as Malard and Geyse seemingly struggle to gel with the squad. With many more huge departures this summer, the club need equally impressive incomings if they want to be challenging for the title, or eve top four, again. The last thing this team needs is further disruption and above all else, another glaring sign that the women’s team are at the bottom of the club’s priority list.
From hearing about this decision to expel the women from their own training ground, the PFA have sought discussions with Manchester United to see what can be amended. The only real solution, however, would be for the team to keep their own facilities which they thoroughly deserve. What we would really like to see is the Manchester United men’s side to stand against the decision and call out this sexist behaviour from the club – that would be true allyship. This can happen – we’ve recently seen this with Denmark Men’s national team, as they refused a pay rise in order to ensure that the women’s team receive equal pay.
There’s such a contrast in support for women’s teams in the WSL. From Arsenal using the Emirates as their main ground from next season, to West Ham not having played a game in their ‘men’s’ stadium since 2019. From Liverpool renovating Melwood for the women’s team to use, to Manchester United kicking out the women’s team from their own facilities, just because it benefits their male counterparts. We’ve come a long way but we still have a long way to go…
For more football related articles, click here.
Follow Sporting Her on social media by searching @SportingHerFootball, or use the links: Instagram // Twitter // TikTok
