A group of Manchester United fans have criticised the club's hierarchy for "disregarding " and "mismanaging" their women's team and have called for greater investment in Marc Skinner's side.
The Reds finished second in the Women's Super League last term, having been pipped to the title by Chelsea, who also came out on top in the FA Cup final. Despite missing out on silverware, United's league finish means the club have qualified for next season's Champions League for the first time in their history, acheiving a club record points tally in the process.
However, fans from the Barmy Army MUWFC Supporters' group have penned an open letter to the club, urging those at the top to ensure United is not "left behind" by Europe's elite as a consequence of inadequate funding.
The statement, released on Monday, reads: "It is our belief that since #MUWomen were reformed in 2018, the degree of investment and allocation of resources from the club, as well as the implemented organizational framework, have been inadequate in fulfilling the originally stated objectives.
"We strongly believe that the women’s team has been undervalued, disregarded, mismanaged, and frequently relegated to secondary status and an afterthought by the club’s hierarchy, which is a matter of great concern.
"Our sole request to the club’s hierarchy is that they accord equal treatment to the women's team, mirroring the level of regard and consideration bestowed upon the men’s team."
United's women's team was disbanded in 2005, shortly after Malcolm Glazer's completed takeover, with the new regime deeming the women's team to not be part of the "core business" and unprofitable. However, Manchester United Women was reformed in 2018, earning promotion to the WSL the following year.
Despite having shown enormous progress in recent years, fans from the Barmy Army MUWFC group still believe "significant improvements" must be made across all facets of women's team operations, with a need to upgrade training facilities and bolster the playing squad among the subjects raised in Monday's statement.
The open letter continued: "This is a crucial stage in the growth of women’s football, and we are concerned that #MUWomen will be left behind if the club fails to direct its effort in both time and investment into developing a winning team, not only in England but on the European stage.
"Success on the pitch presents an immense opportunity for commercial expansion and establishing a formidable presence within the world of football, all while achieving self-sustainability.
"We cannot afford to remain stagnant and allow the gap to widen any further. It is time to put words into action and show that we are not just here to take part."
READ NEXT:
