Man Utd have confirmed that star full-back Ona Batlle has left the club to join European Champions Barcelona.
The Spaniard, widely regarded as one of the best right-backs in the women's game, becomes the second big name to leave United in a matter of days. On Friday, it was confirmed forward Alessia Russo would also leave the Red Devils this month, despite having their most successful WSL season to date last term, where they were narrowly pipped to the league title by Chelsea.
Like Russo, Batlle departs on a free transfer after United failed to renew her contract. The 24-year-old, capped 28 times by Spain, played such a key role in her teams' title charge, she was nominated for Barclays WSL Player of the Season award at the end of the campaign.
Batlle has signed a three-year deal at Barcelona, expiring in 2026. The double departure is a huge blow to United and manager Marc Skinner, who will embark on their maiden Champions League campaign in August. A short statement from the club read: "Manchester United can confirm that Ona Batlle will join FC Barcelona on completion of her contract at the end of June.
"Everyone at the football club thanks Ona for her fine service and wishes her luck in the next stage of her career."
The player herself posted on social media: "I would like to thank the opportunity to have been part of the history of this great club, of this great family. I feel like I'm leaving a part of myself behind; I have been very happy here, you made me feel at home. I will always be proud to say that I was a Red Devil. Once red, always red."
United narrowly missed out on both the WSL title and the Women's FA Cup to Chelsea, losing 1-0 at Wembley to the Blues in the final last month. Towards the end of the season Skinner claimed the club would move swiftly to replace Batlle and Russo if neither could be re-signed.
"The business team are working really hard to make sure they (Batlle and Russo) stay," he said. "But if that doesn’t happen and they don’t stay here, then we’ll go into the market to recruit, because we’ll have to.
"Our team is not about any one player. It’s bigger than anybody involved in the club. I hope they stay, but if I was them, I don’t think I’d want to leave this team, in my opinion, because of what we’re achieving and what we’re doing."
Similar to the case with Russo, Batlle was in talks with club over a new deal throughout the season, but an Barcelona, who were able to negotiate with her from January, have convinced the defender to return to her home country.
It will be Batlle's second spell at the Catalan giants, who earlier this month claimed their second UEFA Women's Champions League title. Batlle then joined Madrid CFF before a spell at Levante. She then joined United in 2020 and was named the club's Player of the Year in her first full season at the club.
England forward Russo, who announced her departure from United on Friday, will also leave on a free transfer with confirmation of a move to Arsenal widely expected in the coming days.
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