Manchester United owner, Avram Glazer, was met with boos from fans during the Women’s FA Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur, in which United secured a dominating 4-0 victory. This win marked the club’s first major trophy since the women’s team was reformed in 2018. The Glazer family had previously disbanded the women’s team in 2005 due to lack of profitability, but the decision was reversed after years of pressure from fans and the growing popularity of women’s football. However, the absence of a women’s team under one of football’s biggest global clubs had been a point of contention among critics of the club’s ownership.
Despite the triumphant win, fans made their dissatisfaction with the Glazer family known during the medal ceremony when Avram Glazer was shown on the big screens at Wembley Stadium. The ongoing ownership issues are exacerbated by the fact that the Glazers continue to be the majority shareholders of Manchester United, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recent minority takeover aimed at managing football operations. Ratcliffe’s absence from the Women’s FA Cup final raised eyebrows, as he opted to attend the men’s team’s Premier League match against Arsenal instead. However, he did express his congratulations to the women’s team on their historic FA Cup victory.
The Women’s FA Cup triumph not only represents the first major honor for the reformed women’s team but also the first major honor since Ratcliffe joined the club earlier in the year. Despite this success, the women’s team has been vocal about their discontent with the club’s manager, Marc Skinner. Chants of ‘Skinner Out’ have been heard throughout an underwhelming season that sees the team currently sitting fifth in the Women’s Super League table. Skinner’s contract is set to expire soon, with ongoing negotiations that could be influenced by the recent FA Cup victory. The future of the team remains uncertain amidst these ownership and managerial issues.
The Glazer ownership of Manchester United has long been a point of contention among fans, with ongoing protests and criticism against the family’s management of the club. The lack of a women’s team for many years was a significant source of dissatisfaction among fans, leading to increased pressure for the team to be reinstated. Despite these challenges, the women’s team’s recent success in winning the FA Cup marks a significant milestone for the club and a positive step forward for women’s football. As ownership and managerial issues continue to be debated, the team’s achievements on the field provide a much-needed source of pride for supporters.
In addition to their triumph on the field, the Manchester United Women’s team has also been vocal about their dissatisfaction with the club’s management and coaching staff. Calls for change and improvement have been echoed by fans and players alike, highlighting the need for stronger leadership and support within the women’s team. As the team celebrates their historic FA Cup victory, the focus remains on addressing these internal issues to ensure continued success and growth in the future. The recent win has brought renewed attention to the women’s team and their importance within the larger Manchester United community, setting the stage for further progress and development in the years to come.
