Manchester United has decided to relocate their women’s team to portable buildings at the Carrington training complex. This decision was made in order to allow the men’s squad to utilize the upgraded facilities meant for the women’s team. This move has left the women’s first-team players feeling disappointed as they will now have to make do with temporary facilities after the state-of-the-art £10 million building shared with the academy teams.
The Guardian was the first to report that the women’s team will now use portable buildings for essential areas such as changing rooms, team meetings, offices, and communal spaces. While the women’s team will still have access to the same pitches and canteen, the downgrade in facilities has not been well received by the players and staff, who were accustomed to the premium amenities in the shared building.
Manchester United is currently in the process of renovating the men’s first-team building with a £50 million investment, expected to be completed by the end of the 2024-25 season. The club expressed that temporary arrangements will be made to accommodate all teams at Carrington during the renovation phase. This large-scale investment highlights the club’s focus on upgrading their facilities for the men’s team, while the women’s team is left to operate out of temporary buildings.
Uncertainty Surrounding the Women’s Team
The decision to move the women’s team to temporary facilities comes at a time when the plans for the women’s team’s future are still up in the air. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the INEOS chairman and United co-owner, mentioned that the details regarding the women’s team have not been finalized yet. This lack of clarity raises concerns about the level of commitment towards the women’s team compared to the intense focus on resolving issues for the men’s team.
Sources have revealed that Manchester United is on the verge of losing one of their key players, Mary Earps, who has declined a contract extension with the club. The England goalkeeper is reportedly close to sealing a move to Paris Saint-Germain, showcasing the potential repercussions of the club’s decisions on the women’s team. The departure of a high-profile player like Earps could impact the team’s performance and competitiveness in the upcoming seasons.
Manchester United’s decision to move the women’s team to temporary buildings while investing heavily in the men’s facilities raises questions about the prioritization of resources and the level of commitment towards the women’s team. The discontent among the players and staff, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding the women’s team’s future, paints a concerning picture for the club’s approach to women’s football. The impending departure of Mary Earps further underscores the potential consequences of neglecting the women’s team in favor of the men’s team.
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