Skip to main content
Work with the NEU
United having a women’s team a total ‘no-brainer’
Manchester club are feeding their rivals, says ex-Arsenal captain

Recently retired Arsenal legend Kelly Smith believes it no longer makes sense for Manchester United to not have a women’s team, putting pressure on the club on Monday to finally start one.

Football for girls stops at 16 for United, with aspiring players having to forge their career at neighbours City or travel further to Everton or Liverpool.

For the club, the reason in the past has been it is not commercially viable but with the continued growth of the women’s game, players from rival clubs no longer believe that is a good enough excuse and see it as “disappointing” that one of the most iconic clubs in men’s football are behind the times when it comes to the women’s game.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
Olivia Smith, November 17, 2024
Women’s football / 17 July 2025
17 July 2025
England players celebrate with the trophy, July 31, 2022
Women’s football / 27 June 2025
27 June 2025
Detroit Prowl's Toya Shinaul, from left to right, Kelly Bernadyn, Sydney Hebel, Jasmine Hamilton and Allie Gorcyca walk out for the coin toss at the start of an AWFL women's football game against the Lansing Legacy, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025
Tackle Football / 24 June 2025
24 June 2025

LARRY LAGE writes about the growth of tackle football and how it provides female athletes opportunities in a game previously dominated by men

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk (right) celebrates scoring their
Men’s football / 4 April 2025
4 April 2025
JAMES NALTON discusses how in some ways, Slot’s Reds are being criticised for their own success and are right in wanting to change the narrative