SPORTS minister Tracey Crouch said yesterday that Manchester United have “finally dragged themselves into the 21st century” after announcing plans to form a professional women’s team.

United, the only current Premier League club not to have a senior women’s side, submitted an application to the Football Association on Wednesday night to establish a team in the second tier of the Women’s Super League next season.

Crouch said: “May I just actually take this opportunity to congratulate Manchester United Football Club, who have finally dragged themselves into the 21st century and announced that they will be having a women’s football team.”