2023–24 Manchester United W.F.C. season explained

Club:Manchester United Women
Season:2023–24
Mgrtitle:Head coach
Manager:Marc Skinner
Chrtitle:Co-chairmen
Chairman:Joel and Avram Glazer
Stadium:Leigh Sports Village
League:Women's Super League
League Result:5th
Cup1:FA Cup
Cup1 Result:Winners
Cup2:League Cup
Cup2 Result:Group stage
Cup3:Champions League
Cup3 Result:Second qualifying round
League Topscorer:
Nikita Parris
(8 goals)
Season Topscorer:
Nikita Parris
(16 goals)
Highest Attendance:43,615
(v. Manchester City,
19 November 2023)
Lowest Attendance:League: 4,060
(v. Brighton & Hove Albion,
4 February 2024)
All: 1,804
(v. Everton, 9 November 2023, League Cup)
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Prevseason:2022–23
Nextseason:2024–25

The 2023–24 season was Manchester United Women's sixth season since they were founded and their fifth in the Women's Super League, the professional top-flight women's league in England. The club also competed in the FA Cup, League Cup and, for the first time in their history, the UEFA Women's Champions League.[1]

The season saw Manchester United Women win their first major trophy, beating Tottenham Hotspur 4–0 at Wembley Stadium in the 2024 Women's FA Cup final on 12 May 2024. It was the team's second major cup final, reaching the Women's FA Cup final for the second consecutive year after finishing as runners-up to Chelsea the previous season. It was the first time since Birmingham City in 2012 that the FA Cup had not been won by Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester City and the first time since 2005 that none of those teams contested the final.[2]

For the fourth consecutive season, Manchester United Women played at Old Trafford. They hosted Manchester City in the Manchester derby on 19 November 2023, setting a new team attendance record of 43,615 during a 3–1 defeat.[3] The final match of the season, against Chelsea on 18 May 2024, was also held at Old Trafford.[4] United lost 6–0, setting a new team record margin of defeat. The result also meant United finished 5th in the WSL, the team's worst finish in the top-flight, having also set new team records for most league defeats and most league goals conceded.

On 24 December 2023, it was announced that Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos had purchased a 25% stake of Manchester United. While the Glazers remained majority shareholders, Ineos took control of football operations including "all aspects of women's football operations" and began a string of structural and personnel changes.[5] On 20 January 2024, Omar Berrada was announced as CEO starting July 2024, moving from the City Football Group.[6] He replaced interim CEO, Patrick Stewart, who had been in the role since November 2023 following the departure of Richard Arnold.[7] A further change at boardroom level was announced on 22 February 2024 with Polly Bancroft intending to stand down as head of women’s football at the end of the season to take the position of Chief Executive at Grimsby Town[8] Matt Johnson moved to the role on an interim basis following Bancroft's departure.[9]

Pre-season and friendlies

DateOpponents H / AResult
F–A
ScorersAttendance
28 August 2023Leicester CityH2–2Fuso 10', Thomas 45'0
2 September 2023EvertonH1–0Galton 37'0
6 September 2023Bayern MunichN2–3Galton 15', Geyse 22'0
13 September 2023LiverpoolH3–1Toone (2) 10', 14', Geyse 68'0
17 September 2023Tottenham HotspurN1–0García 26'0
5 January 2024PSVN2–1Riviere 34', Parris 90+4'

Women's Super League

See main article: 2023–24 Women's Super League.

Matches

DateOpponentsH / AResult
F–A
ScorersAttendanceLeague
position
1 October 2023Aston VillaA2–1García 79', Williams 90+2'12,5335th
6 October 2023ArsenalH2–2Galton 27', Malard 81'8,3121st
15 October 2023Leicester CityH1–1Le Tissier 67'4,9036th
22 October 2023EvertonA5–0Malard 14', Parris (2) 58', 90+3, Williams (2) 77', 85'1,9904th
5 November 2023Brighton & Hove AlbionA2–2Toone 78', Williams 90+8'3,4446th
12 November 2023West Ham UnitedH5–0Geyse 3', Turner 42', Parris 45+1', García 88', Malard 90'4,3963rd
19 November 2023Manchester CityH1–3Zelem 21' (pen.)43,6154th
26 November 2023Bristol CityA2–0Miyazawa 50', Parris 55'14,1384th
10 December 2023Tottenham HotspurA4–0Blundell 29', Toone 51', Malard 59', Ladd 84'2,1524th
17 December 2023LiverpoolH1–2Toone 3'6,3034th
21 January 2024ChelseaA1–3Ladd 43'20,4734th
28 January 2024Aston VillaH2–1Parris (2) 7', 33'6,3474th
4 February 2024Brighton & Hove AlbionH2–0Parris (2) 9', 64'4,0604th
17 February 2024ArsenalA1–3García 90+6'60,1604th
3 March 2024West Ham UnitedA1–1Williams 4'3,1714th
17 March 2024Bristol CityH2–0Naalsund (2) 9', 90+5'4,2544th
23 March 2024Manchester CityA1–3Casparij 74' (o.g.)40,0864th
31 March 2024EvertonH4–1Turner 57', Toone (2) 60', 65', Galton 90'4,9024th
21 April 2024Tottenham HotspurH2–2Malard 13', Le Tissier 90+2'4,6974th
28 April 2024Leicester CityA1–0Toone 83'5,2114th
5 May 2024LiverpoolA0–14,5675th
18 May 2024ChelseaH0–628,7375th

Table

Women's FA Cup

See main article: 2023–24 Women's FA Cup.

As a member of the first tier, United entered the FA Cup in the fourth round proper.

DateRoundOpponentsH / AResult
F–A
ScorersAttendance
14 January 2024Round 4Newcastle UnitedH5–0Toone 28', Parris (2) 37', 55', Williams 71', Malard 90+1'4,731
11 February 2024Round 5SouthamptonA3–1Toone 8', Williams (2) 74', 82'4,554
9 March 2024Quarter-finalBrighton & Hove AlbionA4–0Turner 8', Parris 17', García 45+1', Naalsund 59'3,701
14 April 2024Semi-finalChelseaH2–1García 1', Williams 23'6,876
12 May 2024FinalTottenham HotspurN4–0Toone 45+3', Williams 54', García (2) 57', 74'76,082

FA Women's League Cup

See main article: 2023–24 FA Women's League Cup.

Group stage

Manchester United entered the League Cup at the group stage having been eliminated from the 2023–24 UEFA Women's Champions League in the second qualifying round. They were placed in Group B, the only remaining Northern group with four teams, alongside fellow WSL teams Everton, Leicester City, Liverpool and Manchester City. Finishing second in the group, Manchester United were originally in a position to qualify as one of two best second-placed teams following the conclusion of the group stage. However, an independent tribunal deducted three points Aston Villa on 29 January for fielding an inelligible player, awarding Sunderland with a victory and promoting them to group winners in Group A. Aston Villa progressed as a best-placed runner-up at the expense of Manchester United on goal difference.[10]

DateOpponentsH / AResult
F–A
ScorersAttendanceGroup
position
9 November 2023EvertonH7–0Parris (3) 28', 69', 78', Williams 30', Ladd 57', Geyse 84', Galton 89'1,8042nd
22 November 2023LiverpoolA1–0Parris 41'1,9582nd
14 December 2023Leicester CityH3–1García 2', Naalsund 20', Zelem 65' (pen.)2,0681st
24 January 2024Manchester CityA1–2Parris 90+5'4,8182nd

Group B

Ranking of second-placed teams

UEFA Women's Champions League

See main article: 2023–24 UEFA Women's Champions League.

Qualifying round

Having finished second in the 2022–23 Women's Super League, Manchester United made their UEFA Women's Champions League debut in the second qualifying round. The draw took place on 15 September 2023,[11] with United drawing Paris Saint-Germain.[12]

DateRoundOpponentsH / AResult
F–A
ScorersAttendance
10 October 2023Second qualifying round
First leg
Paris Saint-GermainH1–1Malard 70'4,827
18 October 2023Second qualifying round
Second leg
Paris Saint-GermainA1–3Naalsund 47'10,358

Squad statistics

See also: List of Manchester United W.F.C. records and statistics.

Numbers in brackets denote appearances as substitute.

Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward

No.Pos.NameLeagueFA CupLeague CupEuropeTotalDiscipline
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
3DF Gabby George300000104000
4DF Maya Le Tissier22250402033220
5DF Aoife Mannion2(2)01(2)000003(4)010
6DF Hannah Blundell21(1)150402032(1)140
7FW Ella Toone20(2)6532(2)02029(4)920
8MF Irene Guerrero0(3)00(3)010001(6)010
9FW Melvine Malard11(8)52(3)10(3)01(1)114(15)710
10MF Katie Zelem (c)221502(1)12031(1)230
11FW Leah Galton13(5)23(1)00(3)12018(9)300
12MF Hayley Ladd7(4)21(2)02(1)10010(7)330
14DF Jayde Riviere12(3)030202019(3)030
15DF Gemma Evans4(8)01(2)040009(10)010
16MF Lisa Naalsund11(6)2413(1)12120(7)500
17FW Lucía García13(9)344411(1)022(10)840
20MF Hinata Miyazawa6(6)10(1)0200(2)08(9)100
21DF Millie Turner22251202031330
22FW Nikita Parris16(5)83(2)33(1)50022(8)1620
23FW Geyse13(6)11(1)01(2)11(1)016(10)220
25DF Evie Rabjohn00000(1)0000(1)000
26MF Grace Clinton000000000000
27GK Mary Earps22050002029010
28FW Rachel Williams2(19)52(3)5410(1)08(23)1110
34MF Emma Watson000000000000
36FW Alyssa Aherne000000000000
39GK Safia Middleton-Patel000000000000
49FW Olivia Francis000000000000
55DF Lucy Newell000000000000
58MF Phoebe Chadwick000000000000
91GK Phallon Tullis-Joyce000040004000
Own goals10001

Transfers

In

DatePos.NameFromRef.
1 July 2023DF Evie Rabjohn Aston Villa[13]
1 July 2023FW Olivia Francis Pontypridd United[14]
6 July 2023DF Gemma Evans Reading[15]
17 July 2023DF Lucy Newell West Bromwich Albion[16]
18 August 2023FW Geyse Barcelona[17]
25 August 2023MF Emma Watson Rangers[18]
6 September 2023MF Hinata Miyazawa MyNavi Sendai[19]
14 September 2023MF Irene Guerrero Atlético Madrid[20]
DF Gabby George Everton[21]
GK Phallon Tullis-Joyce OL Reign[22]

Out

DatePos.NameToRef.
27 June 2023MF Chloe Williams Blackburn Rovers[23]
30 June 2023DF Ona Batlle Barcelona[24]
DF Tara Bourne Sheffield United[25]
MF Jade Moore Birmingham City
FW Alessia Russo Arsenal[26]
DF Aïssatou Tounkara Paris Saint-Germain
3 July 2023DF Niamh Murphy Blackburn Rovers[27]
4 July 2023GK Emily Ramsey Everton[28]
27 July 2023MF Ella Kinzett Sheffield United[29]
6 August 2023DF Sasha McTiffin Hofstra Pride[30]
10 August 2023DF Emma Taylor Blackburn Rovers[31]
11 August 2023FW Kirsty Hanson Aston Villa[32]
26 August 2023MF Rebecca May Derby County[33]
30 August 2023DF Maria Thorisdottir Brighton & Hove Albion[34]
6 September 2023MF Carrie Jones Bristol City[35]
11 September 2023FW Adriana Leon Aston Villa[36]
12 September 2023MF Vilde Bøe Risa Atlético Madrid[37]
14 September 2023FW Ivana Fuso Birmingham City[38]
FW Martha Thomas Tottenham Hotspur[39]
GK Sophie Baggaley Brighton & Hove Albion[40]

Loans out

Date fromDate toPos.NameTo
17 July 202330 June 2024DF Lucy Newell West Bromwich Albion
28 July 2023FW Eleanor Ashton Derby County[42]
8 August 2023MF Bella Reidford Burnley[43]
14 August 2023MF Grace Clinton Tottenham Hotspur[44]
24 August 2023FW Keira Barry Crystal Palace[45]
14 September 202321 October 2023DF Jess Simpson Bristol City[46] [47]
15 September 20235 January 2024FW Alyssa Aherne Everton[48] [49]
22 October 202330 June 2024MF Layla Proctor Huddersfield Town[50]
5 November 2023MF Holly Deering Liverpool Feds[51]
17 December 2023MF Mayzee Davies AFC Fylde[52]
19 January 2024GK Safia Middleton-Patel Watford[53]
24 March 2024FW Fay Al-Qaimi Stoke City[54]
21 April 2024GK Jennifer Handy Liverpool Feds[55]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Old Trafford could host Man Utd's European games . BBC Sport.
  2. Web site: Women's FA Cup final: Manchester United beat Tottenham 4–0 . Sky News.
  3. Web site: City win Manchester derby to boost WSL title hopes . BBC Sport.
  4. News: United Women to play Chelsea at Old Trafford . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 21 December 2023 . 21 December 2023.
  5. Web site: Club statement . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 24 December 2023.
  6. Web site: Omar Berrada appointed as new CEO . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 20 January 2024.
  7. Web site: Richard Arnold to leave role as Manchester United chief executive . The Guardian . 15 November 2023.
  8. Web site: Polly Bancroft to leave United for CEO role . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 22 February 2024.
  9. Web site: Man Utd: Matt Johnson set to be named new head of women's football . BBC Sport . 27 March 2024.
  10. Web site: Villa stay in League Cup despite ineligible player . BBC Sport.
  11. News: Women's Champions League: What we know about next season . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 22 May 2023 . 27 May 2023.
  12. News: United Women discover Champions League opponents . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 15 September 2023 . 15 September 2023.
  13. News: Evie Rabjohn agrees to join Manchester United Women . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 3 May 2023 . 27 May 2023.
  14. News: Manchester United snap up highly-rated Wales Under-17 captain . clwbpeldroed.com . CLWBPeldroed . 25 June 2023 . 4 September 2023.
  15. News: United Women sign Gemma Evans . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 6 July 2023 . 6 July 2023.
  16. Web site: Lucy Newell departs Albion Women . www.wba.co.uk.
  17. News: United Women sign Geyse . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 18 August 2023 . 18 August 2023.
  18. News: United Women sign Emma Watson . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 25 August 2023 . 25 August 2023.
  19. News: United Women sign Hinata Miyazawa . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 6 September 2023 . 6 September 2023.
  20. News: United sign Irene Guerrero . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 14 September 2023 . 14 September 2023.
  21. News: Gabby George joins United Women . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 14 September 2023 . 14 September 2023.
  22. News: United complete signing of Tullis-Joyce . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 14 September 2023 . 14 September 2023.
  23. News: Chloe's officially ours! . Blackburn Rovers F.C. . 27 June 2023 . 27 June 2023.
  24. News: Ona Batlle to join FC Barcelona . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 19 June 2023 . 19 June 2023.
  25. News: Four players to leave United Women . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 30 June 2023 . 30 June 2023.
  26. News: Alessia Russo to depart Manchester United . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 16 June 2023 . 16 June 2023.
  27. News: Here to stay! . Blackburn Rovers F.C. . 3 July 2023 . 3 July 2023.
  28. News: Emily Ramsey departs United Women . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 4 July 2023 . 4 July 2023.
  29. News: Kinzett signs for Blades . Sheffield United F.C. . 27 June 2023 . 27 June 2023.
  30. Web site: Sasha McTiffin - Hofstra Pride . Hofstra University Athletics.
  31. News: Emma's home! . Blackburn Rovers F.C. . 10 August 2023 . 10 August 2023.
  32. News: Kirsty Hanson departs United Women . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 11 August 2023 . 11 August 2023.
  33. Web site: Derby County Women Sign Midfielder Rebecca May . www.dcfc.co.uk . 26 August 2023.
  34. News: Maria Thorisdottir departs United Women . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 30 August 2023 . 30 August 2023.
  35. News: Carrie Jones departs United Women . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 6 September 2023 . 6 September 2023.
  36. News: Leon departs United Women . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 11 September 2023 . 11 September 2023.
  37. News: Vilde Bøe Risa departs United Women . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 12 September 2023 . 12 September 2023.
  38. News: Ivana Ferreira Fuso departs United Women . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 14 September 2023 . 14 September 2023.
  39. News: Martha Thomas departs United . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 14 September 2023 . 14 September 2023.
  40. News: Sophie Baggaley departs United . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 14 September 2023 . 14 September 2023.
  41. News: United sign Melvine Malard on loan . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 15 September 2023 . 15 September 2023.
  42. Web site: Derby County Women strengthen squad with five new signings . Derby County F.C. . 29 July 2023 . 28 July 2023.
  43. Web site: Clarets complete Reidford signing . Burnley F.C. . 8 August 2023 . 8 August 2023.
  44. News: Grace Clinton joins Tottenham Hotspur on loan . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 14 August 2023 . 14 August 2023.
  45. News: Keira Barry joins Crystal Palace on loan . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 24 August 2023 . 24 August 2023.
  46. News: Jess Simpson joins Bristol City on loan . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 14 September 2023 . 14 September 2023.
  47. Web site: Dougherty . Noah . Simpson returns to Manchester United . Bristol City FC . 21 October 2023.
  48. News: Alyssa Aherne joins Everton on loan . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 15 September 2023 . 15 September 2023.
  49. News: Alyssa Aherne returns from loan spell at Everton . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 5 January 2024 . 5 January 2024.
  50. Web site: New Signing Layla Proctor from Manchester United Women speaks to HTWTV . Huddersfield Town Women Youtube . 22 October 2023.
  51. Web site: Liverpool Feds sign Holly Deering . Liverpool Feds Twitter . 5 November 2023.
  52. Web site: AFC Fylde signs Mayzee Davies . AFC Fylde Women Twitter . 17 December 2023.
  53. News: Safia Middleton-Patel joins Watford on loan. ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 19 January 2024 . 19 January 2024.
  54. News: Fay Al-Qaimi joins Stoke City on a dual registration . Twitter.com . Stoke City . 24 March 2024.
  55. News: Welcome to the club Jen Handy. The GK joins us on a dual registration from Man United and is straight into the matchday squad today. twitter.com . Liverpool Feds . 21 April 2024.