Manchester United's WSL revival: Olid blends old strengths with new style ahead of City derby
Manchester United have won six straight in all competitions after a winless start, with Eva Olid adjusting her approach and rebuilding confidence before Sunday's derby against WSL leaders Manchester City.
Manchester United enter Sunday's derby against Women's Super League leaders Manchester City on a six-match winning run in all competitions, a sharp reversal from a winless opening three league games that left Eva Olid's side low on confidence. United now sit fifth, eight points behind an unbeaten City team they meet at 18:00 GMT.
The on-pitch shift came after Olid, appointed in the summer, acknowledged her players were struggling to adapt to a possession-heavy, high-risk attacking style. Defeats by London City Lionesses and Chelsea featured just two shots on target and under 40% possession in each match. Olid urged the squad to retain the defensive organisation that had been a strength, and the 1-1 draw at Arsenal was identified as the turning point.
Results against lower-ranked opposition followed, and the statistical contrast is stark. Across three successive WSL wins over West Ham, Liverpool and Charlton Athletic, United took the maximum nine points, scored six and conceded two, while passes ending in the final third rose from 197 in the first three games to 529. Shots increased from 10 to 42, and the team won more aerial duels.
Off the pitch, Olid described a "transitional period" that included candid discussions after the 5-0 defeat by Chelsea. She said the group is now more connected, while cautioning that difficult days may return. The poor start had individual consequences: vice-captain Ella Toone was left out of England selection for the first time under Sarina Wiegman, then scored in the 3-1 win at Charlton. Summer signing Andrea Medina has become an important squad member.
The international break gave Olid time to reorganise, including confirming her backroom staff: fellow Spaniard Jose Herrera as assistant coach and Gavin Beith, who worked with her at Hearts. Captain Maya le Tissier returned with renewed energy after impressing for England. Olid called the break "like a new start" and said the derby should add extra motivation, noting that against City "there has to be something else."
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
