Photo via BBC Sport

Criticism 'normal' after poor start - Man Utd's Olid

Manchester United Women's head coach Eva Olid has acknowledged that external scrutiny is entirely reasonable following an unrewarding start to the Women's Super League campaign. The 41-year-old Spanish tactician, recruited from Hearts to succeed Marc Skinner during the off-season, has overseen consecutive league losses.

United opened with a 2-1 defeat against London City Lionesses before succumbing to a 5-0 home blowout against Chelsea, leaving them bottom of the league table with zero points and a solitary goal scored. Although Olid intends to establish a possession-based attacking identity, her squad controlled under 40 percent of the ball in both fixtures and managed only two total shots on target.

Undeterred by the reaction, Olid insisted that early hurdles are part of growth and urged her squad to rediscover the defensive firmness established during Skinner's tenure, which previously reached the Champions League quarter-finals. The road ahead remains demanding, as United prepare to visit Emirates Stadium on Saturday to battle an Arsenal side riding a 19-match unbeaten streak in the WSL.

United have not claimed a victory at the venue since November 2022, yet Olid maintains that early setbacks will not determine how the season concludes.