Manchester United have successfully won a licence to establish a professional women’s team in the FA Women’s Championship, starting later this year.
The team will be called “Manchester United Women” and will be based at The Cliff – the club’s historic training ground in Salford, once redevelopment work has been completed.
Speaking of the successful application, Manchester United’s Executive Vice Chairman, Ed Woodward, commented:
“The board is delighted that the FA has approved the application. The new women’s team will build on the success of the Girls’ Regional Talent Club and have the same philosophy as all Manchester United sides, creating a pathway from academy to first team.
“We will be making some exciting announcements in the coming days and weeks. Starting a professional team from scratch is challenging but rewarding and we will make every effort to provide the support and experience for the new women’s team to be successful and to uphold the fine traditions of our great club.”
The FA approved the return of United, after a 13 year absence, to senior women’s football in the 12-team second tier of Women’s football in England after another restructure where they will reportedly be joined by Charlton, Leicester City, Lewes, and Sheffield United.
The Reds are widely expected to be managed by former England international Casey Stoney, who won 130 caps and is currently part of Phil Neville’s England Women’s national team setup as a coach.
The new top flight division – to be renamed the FA Women’s Super League – will become an 11 team league containing full time professional clubs and West Ham United will move to join Manchester City Women and newly crowned – and renamed – WSL champions Chelsea Women for the start of the new season.
Below the second tier FA Women’s Championship will be a regionally split FA Women’s National League North and South while a fourth tier is divided into four regions and will also adopt FA Women’s National League One branding.