How Manchester United turned around their WSL form

Manchester United have climbed to fourth in the Women’s Super League after an eight-match unbeaten run, with head coach Eva Olid blending her possession-focused approach with a return to the defensive organisation that had been missing during the team’s poor start.

United were without a win in their first three league games, including a 5-0 defeat by Chelsea. Olid said the players were trying to do too much and needed time to adapt to her high-risk, attack-minded style.

The shift began around a 1-1 draw with Arsenal. Olid urged the team to retain the strengths they already had while introducing her ideas gradually. United then won three successive league games, scoring six goals and conceding two, before drawing 1-1 with Manchester City on Sunday. Elisabeth Terland scored United’s equaliser in the 89th minute, ending City’s perfect start to the season.

The improvement is reflected in the numbers. Across their first three league matches, United had 39.3% possession, took 10 shots and scored twice, while conceding eight goals. In their next four, they averaged 57.9% possession, took 53 shots, scored seven and conceded three. Passes into the final third rose from 197 to 642 across the respective three- and four-game periods.

Olid also pointed to difficult discussions after the Chelsea defeat, saying the team needed “honest conversations” about how to reconnect. She described the period as a transition and said the squad had worked to identify problems and find solutions.

The October international break gave Olid time to reorganise her staff and work with the players. Assistant coach Jose Herrera and Gavin Beith, who had worked with Olid at Hearts, joined the coaching team. Olid said the break felt “like a new start”.

United captain Maya Le Tissier returned from international duty with renewed energy, while summer signing Andrea Medina had become an important member of the squad. Vice-captain Ella Toone, who missed out on England’s initial selection before being called up as a replacement, scored in the 3-1 win over Charlton.

Olid called the draw with City one of the team’s best performances for its fight, work rate and pressing, but cautioned that the season remained long and United still had to improve.