Carla Ward has spoken bluntly about Manchester United and the club's commitment to its women's team this season. The Red Devils have started well but the former Birmingham City and Aston Villa boss took issue with Marc Skinner only naming four outfield players on the bench for Sunday's WSL win over Liverpool amid growing concerns from fans about squad depth.
Man Utd Women low on numbers
There were just 16 players out of a possible 20 in United's matchday squad for the trip to the Totally Wicked Stadium to face a struggling Liverpool side. Skinner's team dominated the match, barely allowing the hosts a kick of the ball in the first half, during which they scored twice and could have had several more goals by the break.
Liverpool, who named a full bench of nine players, came into the contest more in the second half when United's intensity dropped and had greater options for freshness. A lack of quality ultimately stopped the Merseysiders seriously mounting any sort of comeback attempt, but there were similar signs when the Red Devils had faced Arsenal a week earlier.
United named eights subs against the Gunners, including two goalkeepers and two academy players, whereas Arsenal were able to call on star like Beth Mead, Frida Maanum and Ballon d'Or nominee Chloe Kelly. It meant they ended the 0-0 draw in the ascendancy, where it had been much more even earlier in the contest, and there was a degree of United hanging on for a point.
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United's depth, although already thin, is being further affected by injuries.
Millie Turner, a regular starter alongside Maya Le Tissier in the centre of defence in recent seasons, is nursing a knee problem and has no set timeline to return. Versatile winger Leah Galton and box-to-box midfielder Simi Awujo are sidelined, while Hannah Blundell is not yet ready for first-team action as she builds fitness after a year out while pregnant and on maternity leave.
Left-back Anna Sandberg missed the Liverpool game through illness but should soon return, and Celin Bizet, Jayde Riviere and Gabby George have also each had spells out already this season because of more minor injury complaints.
Ward hits out at Man Utd hierarchy
Carla Ward, speaking as a WSL pundit for Sky Sports suggested that Manchester United should have done more during the summer to prepare the squad for a crucial season that sees the team in the Women's Champions League proper for the first time.
Based on her own, albeit very different, experience at Birmingham she also claimed that Skinner was making it clear to the hierarchy that he needs more players by naming such a small bench – the argument there would be that the boss could otherwise have filled out the squad with academy players.
"I think when you only name that many on the bench – and I've been there – you're sending a message to the board," Ward said. "I think Manchester United have let the women's team down this year. There's an opportunity to bring more bodies in – they're in the Champions League and playing across all competitions, so [Skinner] has got his hands tied.
She added: "You can question players going out on loan…Keira Barry and a couple of players might have been able to stay. That's such a small bench, a thin bench, and not many options."
Getty Images SportSkinner: 'Nothing I can do about it'
Marc Skinner spoke to reporters after the Liverpool game, fielding a question about squad depth, or lack thereof. He was open about the need for more recruitment, but stressed that it's not something which can be fixed right now. He also stated that efforts were made in summer that didn't materialise because of how the market suddenly changed.
"There's nothing I can do about it," Skinner explained. "Until that [January] window, there's nothing I can do. We have to invest in the window. I've said that and I'll be very clear on that. The club need to support these players with their incredible talent.
"There were reasons in the summer that it just didn't work. It wasn't for lack of trying, let me be very clear on that. The market shift changed massively, so we have to invest in that window and to support these [players]. Until then, we've got to find solutions, and that's my job to try and do that."
