Eva Olid accepts criticism as Man Utd endure winless WSL start
Eva Olid has lost her first two matches as Manchester United women's manager. She says the criticism that followed is normal.
United went down 2-1 away at London City Lionesses on the opening day of the Women's Super League, England's top flight. Then Chelsea visited Manchester and won 5-0. Those results left United bottom of the table, with zero points and one goal scored, according to BBC Sport.
Olid, 41, joined from Hearts in the summer. She replaced Marc Skinner, who left by mutual consent after five years in charge, Sky Sports reported.
The Spaniard wants United to play a new way. She wants an attacking game built on possession, keeping the ball for long spells and using it to prise teams open.
United managed just two shots on target across those two defeats. A shot on target is one the goalkeeper must save or that goes in. United also had less than 40% possession in both games. Possession is the share of time a team controls the ball.
Olid did not hide from that. She said the first two performances "have not been good". The team is "not happy" with them. She added it is normal to expect constructive criticism when results and displays fall short.
Next up is Arsenal away. United travel to Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal on Saturday at 17:30 BST.
Arsenal were unbeaten in 19 WSL games before that meeting. United have not won away at Arsenal since November 2022.
Arsenal manager Renee Slegers offered some sympathy. She said Olid has "had so little time" and that she understands the challenge of bedding in new ideas.
There is context behind United's slow start. The club lost several key players in the summer and moved towards a sustainable model focused on youth, BBC Sport reported. That means fewer established stars and more minutes for young players.
For fans, this is a test of patience. A new manager, a new style and a young squad rarely click in two weeks. The noise around a club the size of United only makes that harder. Saturday in north London will show whether the work on the training ground is starting to land, and whether United can give their supporters something to carry home together.
