Image via @manutdwomen on Instagram
Manchester United are undergoing a significant period of change this summer, with the squad set to look markedly different ahead of the 2026/27 season. Manchester United kick-off their season away to London City Lionesses on Friday 4thSeptember.
However, United will not only enter the new season without several pivotal and recognisable names, but they will also be without long-standing manager Marc Skinner. Skinner penned a deal for United in 2021, succeeding the club’s first manager Casey Stoney following her resignation. In August, the club released a statement that Skinner would depart the club by mutual agreement. His departure has paved the way for the appointment of head coach, Eva Olid, who now faces the challenges of not only making her mark on the Women’s Super League but also overseeing significant changes at a club that was only established in 2018.
Manchester United established their women’s team in 2018 and this summer has seen two of their inaugural players depart, leaving Ella Toone as the only remining player from the start of the club’s professional career.
The first of these departures was Leah Galton. It was announced that Leah Galton would depart the club following the expiration of her contract. Galton made 171 appearances for the club throughout her time scoring 41 goals. She is the club’s second all-time leading goal scorer behind Ella Toone and the club’s leading WSL goal scorer.
Galton was a part of the historic team who lifted the FA Cup in the 2023/24 season, as well as being a two-time FA Cup finalist. Galton will play a significant loss for United, not only through the attacking threat she provides but also through the experience she brought to the dressing room. Galton possessed a unique understanding of United’s development and identity and will leave a irreplaceable absence. Galton is currently a free agent and yet to sign for a club.
Another significant loss for United is fellow inaugural squad member, Millie Turner. Turner’s role as centre back was essential to United’s success especially during their FA cup winning campaign in 2024. Like Galton, Turner’s absence will be most noticed off the pitch with her leadership and comradery leaving a noticeable void within the squad.
This absence is reflected in her recent appointment as captain for the newly promoted Birmingham City, proving she is an established and influential leader in the WSL, qualities that defined her eight years at Manchester United.
Other significant losses in defence include Hannah Blundell and Gabby George. Blundell joined United in 2021, signing from Emma Hayes’ Chelsea. She went on to make 95 appearances for the club despite spending the 24/25 season on maternity leave. In January 2026, Blundell signed for fellow WSL team Everton on loan for the remainder of the season and has now signed a permanent deal with the Toffees.
George joined the team in 2023 from Everton and established herself as a versatile defender who could play both full-back and centre back, making 54 appearances in total. George has now signed a permanent deal with Brighton and Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee.
United have also lost Norwegian midfielder Lisa Naalsund to Birmingham City, and while the midfielder did not establish herself as a consistent first-team starter, she still provided valuable experience and flexibility in midfield. Her departure adds to the wider trend of established and experienced players leaving this summer.
Academy player, Sienna Wareing has also left the club to join West Ham, signing her first professional contract.
The final permanent departure and another serious absence for Manchester United is French attacker, Melvine Malard. Malard signed for United on a permeant deal after a loan spell there in the 2023/24 season. Malard has just come off her most successful season at the club, contributing 10 goals and 9 assists across all competitions.
Her form this season naturally attracted interest, and with only a year remaining on her contract, United ultimately sold her to Chelsea for a reported fee of £800,000, a club record sale.
This sale could arguably be the wisest long-term decision for the club, with future developments in this position holding greater value than holding onto a striker for a season before losing her for no money. Additionally, securing a substantial transfer fee allows the club to reinvest in the squad, giving an opportunity to explore and pursue younger attacking profiles.
Manchester United have also opted to send two young goalkeepers on loan. Kayla Rendell has joined WSL2 side Newcastle United, and academy graduate Safia Middleton-Patel has returned to Watford on loan after spending the back-half of 2023/24 season there.
Both moves provide good opportunities for the goalkeepers giving them both regular, starting experiences that would have been difficult to achieve at United. This opportunity is giving them the perfect time to develop, allowing them to return to United better-equipped and ready to challenge for a first-team position.
Despite these significant exits only three signing have been made for Manchester United’s new era.
Arguably their most experienced signing comes in the form of goalkeeper, Janina Leitzig. Leitzig has signed a permanent deal from Leicester City, bring a wealth of WSL experience to the team with over 65 WSL appearances.
Leitzig’s arrival is unlikely to be viewed as a permanent second-choice goalkeeper but instead will provide genuine competition for Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Competition for the number-one spot will strengthen both goalkeeper’s abilities overall enhancing Olid’s options in a crucial position.
A further defensive signing come in the form of young left back, Andrea Medina. The 22-year-old is a versatile defender signing from Spanish side Atlético Madrid on a three-year deal until 2029. The defender won the Copa de la Reina with Atlético in 2023 and internationally won the U20 Women’s World Cup with Spain. While the defender is not set to make an immediate impact, she brings an impressive squad depth to the back line also acting as a long-term solution for Manchester United’s new era.
Manchester United’s final signing arrives in the form of talented winger Monica Jusu Bah. The Swedish international signs from BK Hacken off the back of 16 goals and 8 assists last season. Jusu Bah has signed a permanent deal keeping her at the club until 2030. Jusu Bah given the opportunity, could be the perfect long-term solution for Malard’s absence in attack, yet how quickly she adapts to the fast-past nature of the WSL could be the defining factor in her success.
Overall, Manchester United have undergone a major transformation this summer, both on and off the pitch. The arrival of Eva Olid is the perfect example of an attempt to establish a new identity for the team with her signings set to be built around versatility and long-term potential.
However, the undoubtable question is will this short-term risk pay off this season or is it instead a ploy to set up for the future of the club.
