Manchester United's manager Eva Olid faced a challenging start to her tenure in the Women’s Super League, as her team fell 2-1 to London City Lionesses in Bromley. The defeat marked Olid's first match in charge, and she expressed disappointment in her team's performance, particularly during the first half, where she felt they "lost 50 minutes".
In the opening stages of the match, United struggled significantly, failing to register a single shot and finding themselves under constant pressure from the Lionesses. Eder Maestre’s squad capitalized on United's mistakes, effectively pressing and creating scoring opportunities. This lack of offensive production in the first half proved detrimental, as the Lionesses took control of the match early on.
After the break, Manchester United showed signs of improvement, with Simi Awujo scoring in stoppage time. However, it was too late to change the outcome of the match. Olid highlighted the need for her players to believe in their abilities, stating, "I always say that it’s a process. In three weeks, I try that the team believe that we can be a team that dominate with the ball and attack." She emphasized that mental barriers hindered their performance, particularly in the first half.
Olid noted that the team’s second-half performance was more reflective of their potential, as they began to build through midfield and find players in advantageous positions. She remarked, "If we play 90 minutes like the second half, it will be another game." The manager acknowledged the importance of starting strong and maintaining that level of play throughout the match.
Despite the disappointing result, Olid remained optimistic about her team's ability to compete. She pointed out that when United plays with confidence, the gap between them and teams like London City is not as significant as it may appear. She stated, "If we are with confidence, the gap is not that big. If we are playing as in the second half, I don’t think the gap is that big." This confidence will be crucial as they prepare to face other competitive teams in the league.
Another area of concern for Olid was her team's defending during set pieces, an issue that had plagued them in the previous season. London City exploited this weakness, scoring from dead-ball situations. Olid acknowledged the need for improvement but noted that their pre-season performances had shown they could defend set plays effectively.
Despite the setback, there were positives for Olid to take from the match, particularly the impact of substitutes like Monica Jusu Bah and Awujo, who both contributed significantly in the latter stages of the game. Olid praised their efforts, especially considering their limited preparation time with the team.
As Manchester United looks to build on their second-half performance, Olid's focus will be on instilling confidence in her players. She emphasized the importance of every player being willing to receive the ball and contribute to the team's attacking efforts. The challenge now is to ensure that the version of United that emerged after halftime is the one that takes the field from the very first whistle in future matches.
In summary, while the opening match of the season did not yield the desired result for Manchester United, Olid's commitment to fostering a confident and cohesive team remains strong. The journey ahead will involve addressing weaknesses and harnessing the potential that was evident in their improved second-half display.
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