At the start of the season, everything looked like a fairytale for Manchester United Women. They were unbeaten in their first seven WSL games, they were in the Women’s Champions League proper for the first time ever, and momentum was firmly on their side.

Fast-forward a few weeks, and suddenly the Red Devils are battling to stop a worrying slide — with three defeats in four games knocking the confidence out of a team that once looked ready to challenge the very best.

But here’s the truth:
United’s struggles were predictable — and the club only has itself to blame.

A Bright Start Masked a Big Problem

That early-season high was impressive, no doubt. United were dealing with a crisis-level injury list, with 10 senior players unavailable before October. Marc Skinner often had only two senior outfield players on the bench, yet somehow managed to guide the team through Champions League qualifiers, secure three wins in the league phase, and remain unbeaten in the WSL.

It was admirable.
It was brave.
It was also unsustainable.

Depth? What Depth?

Their recent 3-0 demolition in the Manchester derby exposed the obvious: United simply do not have the squad depth to compete on two major fronts.

Even though City have injury concerns of their own, they still looked fresher, sharper and more prepared. The difference?
No Champions League schedule dragging them through two games a week.

It’s not just United suffering, either. Arsenal, another Champions League side, are facing similar challenges. The reality across Europe is clear:
Small squads struggle. Big squads survive. Elite squads thrive.

Barcelona can get away with using the same number of players as United because their starting XI is stacked with world-class talent. United? Not quite.

When You Can’t Train, You Can’t Improve

The problem goes beyond injuries and rotation.

As Skinner said earlier in the season:
“You can’t coach much.”

With games coming fast and recovery time eating into training sessions, there’s less time to fix tactical issues or build new patterns of play. Everything becomes reactive instead of proactive.

This isn’t noticeable when the team is winning — but the moment form dips, it becomes a mountain to climb.

United’s current rut isn’t caused by one bad performance.
It’s the result of weeks and months without the space needed to improve.

So, What Now For Man Utd Women?

The Red Devils are now seven points off the pace in the WSL and desperately need strong results in their final Champions League matches to advance.

Skinner will continue to demand more.
The players will continue to fight.
But unless United finally build a squad designed for both domestic and European battles, seasons like this will repeat themselves.

The spiral didn’t come from nowhere — it came from predictable, avoidable cracks that are now impossible to ignore.

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Manchester United thought they had the job wrapped up at Old Trafford… until they didn’t.

Diogo Dalot’s tidy finish just before the hour mark looked like the moment that would push the Red Devils to a much-needed victory. But in classic 2025 Manchester United fashion, control slipped, intensity dipped, and West Ham pounced.

And of course—when things go wrong—Roy Keane is never far from the verbal action.

“They Weren’t Nasty Enough!” – Keane Fires Shots

After the 1-1 draw, Keane wasted zero time calling out what he sees as the real issue at United: timidity.

According to him, United “took their foot off the gas” right after scoring. Against a team in the bottom three, he expected more authority, more aggression, and definitely more hunger.

Instead, what he saw was a team “almost frightened” of finishing the job.

He slammed the players for hiding when pressure kicked in, criticized their lack of killer instinct, and even called out the relaxed body language during substitutions.

In typical Keane fashion, the message was simple:
United should never be this soft.

Amorim Also Frustrated: “The Game Was Ours To Win”

Manager Ruben Amorim didn’t sugarcoat anything either.

While he didn’t go full-Keane, he admitted:

• United lost control after scoring

• They failed to win second balls

• They should have killed the match earlier

• The inconsistency is becoming a real problem

For a team chasing European places, three draws in five games simply isn’t good enough.

West Ham Deserved Their Point

To be fair, West Ham didn’t just sit back and wait. They fought, pressed, countered, and eventually got their reward when Soungoutou Magassa slotted home the 83rd-minute equaliser.

United had late chances, but the story of their season resurfaced again:
moments created, moments wasted.

Where Do United Go From Here?

Sitting eighth on the table, United’s inconsistency continues to be their biggest opponent. Keane believes the team lacks bite. Amorim believes the team lacks control.

Fans believe the team lacks… well, everything except drama.

What’s clear is this: until United find their identity and intensity, nights like this will keep happening.

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Manchester United Rue Missed Chances As West Ham Strike Late

Manchester United fans were left frustrated once again as a late goal from Soungoutou Magassa denied the Red Devils all three points in a tense 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
What looked like a routine victory slipped away in the 83rd minute, leaving United stuck in eighth place and still searching for consistency.

How The Match Unfolded

West Ham almost stunned the home crowd early when Aaron Wan-Bissaka accidentally set up Mateus Fernandes, whose shot was only kept out thanks to a Casemiro deflection.

United responded with waves of pressure:

• Areola pulled off a superb save from Bryan Mbeumo

• Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, and Bruno Fernandes all came close

• Chaos in the West Ham box had fans on their feet

Despite United’s dominance, Jarrod Bowen kept the visitors dangerous, but new signing Senne Lammens was sharp to stop him.

United Looked In Control… Until They Weren’t

The second half opened with the same energy — Mbeumo kept asking questions of the West Ham defence, but Potts and Souček threw themselves into crucial blocks.

Eventually, the breakthrough arrived.

A loose ball from Casemiro fell to Diogo Dalot, who stayed composed and placed it beautifully into the bottom corner. Old Trafford erupted.
It felt like the game was finally in United’s hands.

But West Ham had other ideas.

Magassa’s First Goal Stuns Old Trafford

The Hammers pushed back with urgency, forcing United into panicked clearances.
Mazraoui even had to clear Bowen’s clever flick off the line to keep the lead alive.

Then the moment came.

In the 83rd minute, Soungoutou Magassa pounced — smashing home his first-ever goal for West Ham and shocking the home crowd.
Just like that… 1-1.
All United’s hard work undone in seconds.

Late chances for Mohamadou Kanté and Bruno Fernandes went begging, sealing another frustrating night for the Red Devils.

West Ham remain in the relegation zone, but this point might prove massive.
United, meanwhile, now have three draws in their last five games and still look far from convincing.

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