With 3 wins in 3 different competitions in the last three games, Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United journey is back on track as they have managed to open both gates to the Champions League next season. The Red Devils are just a couple of points off of a place in the top-4 in the points table and are also a step closer to the Europa League title but the manager will need all his players to be at their best for them to stand a shot at glory. Mourinho knows that a few players in the squad have not been up to the mark this season and will hope to let go of players who are underperforming. There are also a number of players who have let the fans down with their lack of performances. Here are two such players who have not been at their best for Manchester United this season:
Marouane Fellaini:
Though a favorite for most managers, Fellaini is one of the least skillful players at Old Trafford at the moment. At 29, Fellaini stands as one of the most experienced players in the squad while his versatility only adds to his appeal for first team action. Although he is not the first choice midfielder in the league challenge for Mourinho anymore, Fellaini, is the first option in the squad to replace a midfielder in the first team but the Belgian hardly deserves such a role in the team. Fellaini loves to use his height and physical approach to the game to give his side an advantage but that is not a ploy that can win United many games. He can be used to close games down late in the game but he is far from a player who will be effective in the first team. It is hard to see Mourinho stick with him for the years to come and Fellaini will be rated as one of the most underperforming players at Manchester United this season.
Fellaini has put in some bizarre performances for Manchester United this season.
Daley Blind:
Another player who is still in the team for his versatility, Blind does not deserve to start games constantly for Manchester United this season. Blind has all the attributes that can make him a successful defender but he is nowhere consistent enough to play regularly for a team that wants to fight for the title. He can play at the heart of the backline but is effective on the flank. But when playing as a left-back, Blind is at times a liability at both ends of the field. He is not as quick as he used to be and hardly adds any potency in attack while he is also at times found wanting against wingers who love to take on their man. He is disciplined to a certain extent and can help the Red Devils in cup competitions but Blind is not the player Mourinho needs in a squad that wants to challenge for the title. Surely, the Dutch international will be branded as an underperforming lad and his future will be up in the air if he continues to play this way.
Blind has the potential to overturn his mediocre performances into good ones.
Manchester United
Manchester United Women Appoint Eva Olid as Head Coach Following Marc Skinner Departure
Manchester United Women have completed the appointment of Eva Olid as their new head coach, replacing Marc Skinner following his departure earlier this week after five years in charge.
The 40-year-old Spanish manager arrives following her remarkable Hearts tenure where she guided the Scottish club from their second tier toward their inaugural Scottish Women’s Premier League title success during the 2025-26 campaign, establishing herself as proven elite-level coach capable of delivering under pressure.
Olid brings genuine championship-winning pedigree combined with demonstrated ability to maximise individual player potential whilst implementing attacking football philosophies aligned with Manchester United’s stated developmental vision.
Her Hearts achievement particularly resonates given her success developing young talent within constrained resources, suggesting optimal alignment with Manchester United’s commitment toward homegrown and academy player development.
Spanish Coach Brings Championship Experience and Tactical Philosophy
Olid’s Hearts success represents remarkable achievement elevating the club from Scotland’s second tier toward domestic championship triumph, demonstrating genuine coaching capability extending beyond simply managing established elite performers.
Her five-year Hearts tenure suggests sustained excellence rather than temporary success, validating Manchester United’s confidence in her ability to deliver long-term competitive improvement.
Director of Women’s Football Matt Johnson specifically highlighted Olid’s ability to implement exciting football styles whilst maximising individual player development, suggesting Manchester United identified coaching philosophy genuinely aligned with their stated institutional objectives.
Olid Replaces Skinner Amid Championship Expectations
Olid’s appointment follows Skinner’s departure amid reports suggesting frustration regarding limited summer recruitment investment despite competing elite clubs substantially strengthening their squads. That context suggests Manchester United’s new coach arrives recognising genuine recruitment constraints, potentially enabling more realistic expectations regarding competitive objectives during her inaugural campaign.
Olid’s expressed excitement regarding Manchester United’s infrastructure combined with her emphasis upon academy development and support staff quality suggests she identifies genuine institutional strengths despite recruitment limitations.
Her willingness to commit until June 2028 with optional extension suggests confidence in Manchester United’s competitive direction despite their recent managerial transition.
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Manchester United
Marc Skinner Departs Manchester United Women After Five Years as Manager Following Breakdown in Club Relations
Marc Skinner has officially departed Manchester United Women following five years in charge, with the club announcing his exit on August 3 ahead of the upcoming Women’s Super League campaign.
The 43-year-old manager leaves despite signing a new two-year contract extension with optional 12-month additional commitment last summer, suggesting fundamental breakdown in working relationships between Skinner and club ownership rather than mutual agreement regarding future direction.
Skinner’s departure comes amid reports suggesting he actively pushed for increased recruitment investment as competing elite clubs substantially strengthened their squads during the current transfer window. His exit represents particularly frustrating timing given Manchester United’s simultaneous departure of multiple established performers including Alessia Russo, Katie Zelem, Hannah Blundell, Leah Galton, Millie Turner, Melvine Malard and Lucia Garcia during recent transfer windows.
Recruitment Frustration Appears Central to Manager Departure
Skinner’s reported frustration regarding limited reinforcements combined with Manchester United’s stated preference toward youth development rather than competitive recruitment appears fundamental to his exit. Multiple sources suggest the manager genuinely believed the club required significant investment to remain competitive within elite Women’s Super League structures, particularly as rival institutions substantially strengthened their attacking options during this transfer window.
INEOS ownership’s approach toward the women’s programme contrasts sharply with Skinner’s apparent expectations regarding competitive resource allocation, suggesting philosophical differences regarding club investment strategy extending beyond merely this transfer window.
Supporter Reaction Reveals Genuine Divisive Legacy
Skinner’s departure has generated genuinely divided supporter reaction, with some celebrating the exit whilst others passionately defend his contributions including the 2024 FA Cup triumph. That polarised response suggests his tenure proved consistently controversial, combining genuine trophy success with periods of frustrating competitive inconsistency and persistent squad instability through repeated departures.
This exit feels genuinely significant for Manchester United Women’s competitive trajectory. Rather than securing elite manager commitment, they experience significant leadership disruption during crucial pre-season preparation period.
Whether Skinner’s resignation request or eventual termination ultimately proves correct remains unclear, though his departure validates broader concerns regarding Manchester United’s commitment toward genuine women’s football competitive investment.
Also read: Wales Duo Olivia Francis and Ellen Jones Join Wolves Following Promotion to Women’s Super League 2
Manchester United
Manchester United Trigger Janina Leitzig Release Clause From Leicester as Proven WSL Goalkeeper Arrives
Manchester United have secured goalkeeper Janina Leitzig from Leicester City by activating her release clause, completing her permanent transfer on a three-year contract through June 2029. The 27-year-old stopper arrives following established elite-level experience accumulated across Bayern Munich’s Champions League structures and three seasons establishing herself as Leicester’s consistent performer across 69 competitive appearances.
Leitzig brings proven Women’s Super League credentials eliminating adaptation uncertainties, having competed against WSL opposition across multiple seasons while maintaining consistent performance standards. Her immediate impact at Leicester earning both Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year recognition during her debut season demonstrated rapid integration capability within English football structures despite arriving from Bayern Munich initially on loan.
Proven League Experience Removes Performance Uncertainty
Leitzig’s established WSL record provides Manchester United genuine advantage regarding goalkeeper recruitment, enabling them to assess her against familiar opposition rather than speculating regarding continental performance translation. Her three Leicester years provided comprehensive exposure to English football’s weekly demands while establishing baseline performance standards against championship-level competition.
Director of Women’s Football Matt Johnson specifically highlighted her Champions League experience combined with proven WSL consistency as decisive factors, suggesting Manchester United prioritised de-risked recruitment over speculative investment in continental talent unfamiliar with English football.
Internal Competition Defines Manchester United Integration
Neither Manchester United nor Leitzig presented her arrival as automatic starting position claim, with the goalkeeper emphasising her desire to compete within the club’s “excellent group of goalkeepers.” That language suggests genuine competitive environment where even established performers must prove capability rather than assuming predetermined roles based upon previous status.
Her challenge involves displacing Phallon Tullis-Joyce from the starting position, suggesting Manchester United’s recruitment philosophy prioritises creating competitive pressure driving performance elevation across the entire goalkeeper department. That approach feels genuinely sophisticated for squad development, using recruitment to elevate collective standards rather than simply replacing underperforming individuals.
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