Manchester United Women have had a busy summer with the departure of inaugural head coach Casey Stoney at the end of last season as well as several players too.

The 39-year-old left the club after three seasons as United boss, guiding them to the Women’s Super League at the first time of asking.

She has now been appointed as the new San Diego National Women’s Soccer League team coach working with two-time World Cup winner, Jill Ellis – who is the president of the club.

Her departure left a big void to fill with Marc Skinner the man identified to take over from the former Lionesses international. The 38-year-old joins after leaving NWSL side Orlando Pride and also spent two-and-a-half seasons in charge of Birmingham City previously.

Alongside a change in manager, United have seen several players leave the club for pastures new. This meant the club were left a little light with the likes of Jess Sigsworth, Jane Ross, Amy Turner, Lauren James, Abbie McManus, Megan Hornby and American duo Christen Press and Tobin Heath departing this summer.

However, United have wasted no time with trying to replace these players during the transfer window with five new faces already signed, including former WSL, FA Cup and League Cup winner Hannah Blundell amongst them.

With that being said, let’s take a look at who the five new signings are and how they might fit into Skinner’s side.

Vilde Bøe Risa

The Norwegian joins from her native Sandviken on a two-year contract with an option for a further year.

She has spent her career playing in both Norway and Sweden, winning the Swedish Cup in 2019 and the Damallsvenskan the following year with Göteborg FC.

The midfielder has 37 caps for Norway to date, scoring two goals and is set to be part of a midfield three or five depending on which formation Skinner will opt for.

Hannah Blundell

The 27-year-old signed on July 23 from fellow WSL side Chelsea after nine seasons with the club.

Blundell has three caps for England and was part of the Lionesses squad that came runners-up in the SheBelieves Cup in 2018.

The right-back will compete with Martha Harris and last season’s Play of the Year Ona Battle for a starting place.

Sophie Baggaley

The goalkeeper joined United after the expiration of her contract at Bristol City. She joins an already impressive selection of shot-stoppers at the club with Mary Earps, Fran Bentley and Emily Ramsey all on the books.

Her move to Leigh Sports Village is an interesting one with Earps the favoured choice under Stoney. However, with a new head coach at the helm, Baggaley could very well push for the number one spot next season.

The 24-year-old has also represented England at multiple youth levels and previously played for Birmingham City too.

Aoife Mannion

An experienced centre-back who traded the blue side of Manchester for the red one after her deal with the WSL runners-up expired, Mannion is exactly what United needed during the window.

The 25-year-old has several years of experience in the top-flight and makes for the ideal replacement for both Turner and McManus who left a hole to fill in defence.

Mannion was named in the WSL Team of the Year for two consecutive years after her performances for Birmingham during the 2017-18 and 2018-18 seasons and has numerous youth caps for England to her name.

Martha Thomas

United signed the Scotland international from West Ham United on a two-year contract with an option for a third.

A striker, who has eight goals in 26 WSL appearances over two seasons, is a much-need addition to the squad given that several forwards left the club this summer.

The 25-year-old has experience of playing in the USA during her college career, as well as French side Le Havre during the 2019-19 campaign.

Thomas has been given the number nine shirt at United, which was previously worn by Sigsworth.

A busy transfer window so far for United with Skinner having time to still add new faces to his squad ahead of the 2021-22 season opener against Reading in September.

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