New Manchester United Owner Admits He Hasn’t Focused on Women’s Team Yet

Jim Ratcliffe has been in charge of Manchester United for only six months, but in that short span the soccer giant’s women’s soccer team doesn’t appear to have received much of his attention. 

The women’s first team had a similar season to the men: a disappointing fifth place in the Women’s Super League, its lowest finish in five years, but a surprise FA Cup title run.

But when asked by Bloomberg about his plans for the women’s team with the transfer window opening Monday, Ratcliffe was unclear. 

“Well, they just won the FA Cup,” he replied. 

Chelsea, the club’s longtime rival, has won five straight titles and taken over the WSL by treating the women’s team as its own entity and heavily investing in its stars. Asked whether he had any plans to take some ideas from Chelsea, Ratcliffe demurred, referring to the men’s team as the “first team” and saying that all of his attention has been there this year. 

“We haven’t gone into that level of detail with the women’s football team yet,” he said. “We’ve been pretty much focused on how do we resolve the first-team issues, in that environment, and that’s been pretty full time for the first six months.”

When asked whether his plans for the women’s team are still in the works, Ratcliffe responded, “Correct.” 

Ratcliffe bought 25% of the club in December of last year, with the deal getting approved in February. Months later, the women’s transfer window is about to open, with several key United players including keeper Mary Earps on expiring deals.