A Historic Night at Old Trafford Awaits Manchester United Women!
Manchester United's women's team is about to make history with their Champions League clash against Paris St-Germain. This match, set to take place at the legendary Old Trafford in Manchester on Wednesday, 12 November, with a 20:00 GMT kickoff, marks the first time the women's side will grace the iconic stadium in a European competition.
The significance is hard to overstate. Old Trafford has witnessed the legendary Busby Babes, the European Cup triumph in 1968, and the Champions League successes under Sir Alex Ferguson. Now, Marc Skinner's team steps onto this hallowed ground, signaling a pivotal moment for the club's women's program.
Until a surprising WSL defeat to Aston Villa last Saturday, United's women had enjoyed a stellar season. Matt Johnson, head of women's football at the club, emphasizes the broader picture: "Manchester United has an incredible European history, but for us, this is about shaping the future. We want to set a precedent, creating a legacy that decades from now will be seen as barrier-breaking, much like Sir Matt and Sir Alex did in their eras."
The Red Devils have already started their debut Champions League campaign on a strong note, winning their opening two games. Securing a victory over a PSG team that has lost both of its previous matches would practically guarantee a spot in next year's playoff round, before upcoming challenges against powerhouse clubs Wolfsburg and Lyon.
For a club often criticized for its initial hesitation toward women's football, this progress is particularly striking. United were the last major Premier League club to form a Women's Super League team, joining the second tier only in 2018. Questions about commitment have surfaced, especially regarding the absence of minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe at recent cup finals. In 2024, for example, he watched the men's side lose to Arsenal at Old Trafford rather than attend the women's team's dominant victory over Tottenham at Wembley. Adding to this, last season the women's squad had to temporarily vacate their purpose-built £7m training facility to accommodate renovations at Carrington for the men's team, fueling criticism of the hierarchy.
Johnson, however, defends the club's dedication. "Manchester United is fully committed to our women's team. We share the same facilities and resources, and the club fosters a genuine family atmosphere. Yes, we joined the WSL a little later than others, but we wanted to ensure we entered the league sustainably and effectively."
Smart investment and careful planning have been central. High-profile incidents—such as players arranging their own travel back from Stockholm or the curious case of lost boots before the SK Brann tie—garnered media attention, but Johnson stresses the context. Solutions were found, players played in brand-new boots, and no match was compromised.
The departure of Mary Earps to PSG last year highlighted some internal tensions, with her citing a misalignment with her career expectations. United, however, view her replacement, Phallon Tullis-Joyce, who was recently nominated among FIFA's best goalkeepers, as evidence of strategic squad planning.
Moving the PSG game to Old Trafford is symbolic, though attendance may not surpass the 12,000-seat capacity of their usual home at Leigh Sports Village. Johnson insists the focus should remain on growing the fanbase rather than simply relocating matches. "The players love Leigh. It creates a fantastic atmosphere for women's football. Our long-term goal is to grow support so much that we can justify more games at Old Trafford and, eventually, perhaps fill a 100,000-seater stadium for the women's team. It may seem utopian, but it's the vision we're aiming for."
For those following the latest insights from the WSL and beyond, Ben Haines, Ellen White, and Jen Beattie continue their Women's Football Weekly podcast, with new episodes every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, featuring interviews and extra content on the women's game.
But here's where it gets controversial—does United's delayed entry into women's football mean the club truly values it, or are they playing catch-up? And considering the symbolic move to Old Trafford, should more matches be staged at iconic venues to grow visibility, or does focusing on grassroots fan engagement yield better long-term results? Share your thoughts in the comments.
