With European football on the horizon, Manchester United will be striving for new heights on the dawn of the new WSL season.
After a strong season that nearly saw the Red Devils clinch the title in 2022/23, the side faced a period of regression the following season, finishing 5th in the WSL standings. The team bounced-back last campaign, stealing points from Arsenal and Manchester City to finish third on the league table.
As the dawn of the new campaign approaches, Manchester United will hope to qualify for the UEFA Women’s Champions League and make a case for themselves domestically.
The Halfway Line previews what you can expect from Manchester United ahead of the 2025/26 Women’s Super League (WSL) season.
United sign proven stars ahead of 2025/26 season
Despite the experienced likes of Rachel Williams, Millie Turner, Leah Galton and Dominique Janssen, Manchester United boasts a squad of fresh and young talent. When it came to the crunch time, those young stars flourished, but the side still cried out for a ceiling-raiser star.
Fridolina Rolfö is that star. An experienced winner with Barcelona, the Swedish channel-runner will bring more than just experience to the Manchester United side. Having plied her trade in both left-back and left-wing positions for United, we expect the 31-year-old to play a more attacking role for the Red Devils. Rolfö fills a hole in the left wing position that United have needed to bridge the gap on for seasons, so fans should naturally be excited.
Sweden compatriot to Rolfö, United also welcome midfielder Julia Zigiotti Olme to their ranks. Signing from Bayern Munich after a short one-year tenure in Germany, the playmaking midfielder returns to the WSL once more. A natural holding midfielder with impressive endurance, Manchester United have successfully recruited in a position they needed once again.
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Marc Skinner the man at the wheel for United
Awarded a contract extension at the closing stages of last season, United head coach Marc Skinner will be eager to bring success to the club in 2025/26. With an opportunity to make their Champions League debut ahead of the opening round qualifiers against PSV Eindhoven, Skinner will be ready to set the squad onto a path of success.
Questions have been asked of the United frontman during his tenure, after fans expressed their dissatisfaction toward the manager’s tactical style. Whatever one’s opinions are, you have to applaud his side’s efforts to clinch third spot up against the wealthy squad talents of those around them.
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Key players for Manchester United ahead of the new WSL season
Named in the PFA Team of the Year, Canadian right back Jayde Riviere is one to watch once again for the Red Devils this season. Riviere boasts an impressive technical flair, whilst also being a sound defensive player. The 24-year-old’s partnership with Celin Bizet began to come to fruition last season, and United fans will be hoping this continues to flourish going forward.
When you think of Manchester United, you think of Ella Toone. The childhood United is set for another season in Carrington and will be looking to lead her side to new heights. When Toone is firing, she is one of United’s most impressive talents. We saw strong glimpses of her best in the early stages of 2025, and she will be looking to recreate that form once more ahead of the new campaign.
Young skipper Maya Le Tissier didn’t put a foot wrong during the 2024/25 campaign, dictating the United last line with leadership and skill. The centre-back wasn’t awarded minutes during England’s Euros-winning summer campaign, but the high intensity environment will mean that she is fit and ready for a new campaign.
Manchester United 2025/26 predictions
With little to lose and plenty to win, Manchester United once again enter a new WSL season as the dark horse. With the pressure on Chelsea to perform once more, Arsenal to back up their Champions League feat, and Manchester City to rise from the dead, United have the opportunity to cease the underdog name.
The first stop will be the Champions League qualifiers, where the side will face PSV Eindhoven in the opening round of qualifiers. United reached the second stage two seasons ago, but fell out of the competition following a aggregate loss to Paris Saint-Germain. The goal is the league phase, and obtaining this feat will say a lot about United’s endeavours this season.
Silverware is still on the table, and the side will be hoping to clinch a domestic trophy. I don’t see them making a chase for the league title, but a domestic cup could be on the cards in the 2025/26 campaign.