Man Utd Are Spiralling – And Only Have Themselves To Blame For Predictable WSL Struggles

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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