Manchester United Women opened their season with a frustrating 2-1 defeat against the London City Lionesses, leaving new manager Eva Olid seeking answers and improvement from her squad. The loss was not just a setback in terms of points but also a concerning reflection of the team's performance under new leadership.
In her post-match comments, Olid expressed her disappointment, particularly with the first half, stating, "I think none of us are happy with the first half. We weren’t ourselves. Nothing that we’ve been working on was happening in the first half." This sentiment highlights the challenges the team faced in executing their game plan, which was evidently disrupted by the Lionesses' effective press.
Olid addressed her players at halftime, urging them to regain their confidence and to demonstrate the qualities they had been training to showcase. "At half-time, I said to them, ‘Listen, this is not us. We need to have confidence, believe, show that when we win the ball, that’s who we are,’" she explained. While there was a noticeable improvement in the second half, Olid emphasized that a strong performance for only 40 minutes was insufficient in a 90-minute match.
The manager acknowledged the effectiveness of London City’s pressing strategy, which disrupted United's attempts to play through the lines. Olid noted that her team struggled to provide adequate support to one another, which limited their ability to exploit spaces as planned. Despite the disappointing outcome, she remained optimistic about the potential for her squad, stating, "I totally believe that if we play with confidence, we can compete against everyone."
Looking ahead, Olid expressed eagerness for the upcoming challenge against Chelsea, recognizing the need for improvement but also the opportunity to test her team against one of the league's top sides. She remarked, "I’m looking forward to it. We want to play against the best." This upcoming match will be crucial for United to gauge their progress under Olid’s management.
Captain Maya Le Tissier also reflected on the match, aligning with her manager's assessment of their performance. She noted, "In the first half we weren’t good enough. We weren’t confident enough to get on the ball, and we didn’t have enough movement." Le Tissier highlighted the difficulties the team faced against London’s pressing tactics, which ultimately led to their inability to recover despite a late goal from Awujo, who scored her first league goal.
Le Tissier remained positive, praising Awujo's contribution and highlighting the importance of resilience within the squad. She stated, "It’s really nice for Sim as well to get a goal. She’s such a good player, and obviously coming off the bench, she made a huge difference too. It’s really nice for her, and it shows that we never give up. We’re always pushing to get goals."
As the team prepares for their next fixture, Le Tissier acknowledged the adjustment to a new managerial style and the importance of adaptability within the squad. She expressed optimism regarding the impact of new signings, stating, "I think our new recruits have made a big difference within the team, both on and off the pitch. Hopefully that continues as well." With a home game against Chelsea on the horizon, United will look to bounce back and demonstrate their potential under Olid's guidance.
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