Though there is disappointment with the mens team not participating in any European competitions for the 25/26 season, the womens team are making Manchester United proud.
In the UWCL (Uefa Womens Champions League), Manchester United Women defeated Swedish side Hammarby 1-0, progressing to the third round of qualifying.
However, in an interesting turn of events, following the game, some of the players paid for their own flights back from Sweden after the win with the club not paying for a direct return back.
The Telegraph have reported that the club booked a flight back with a stopover and were scheduled to return on Sunday night at 10pm.
The report explains that although direct flights were available, United opted to book a flight with a stopover, leading to some players booking their own flights to return home earlier.
It’s believed some players were angry at having to pay out of their own pocket after the club provided a chartered flight for the journey to Sweden.
This is in stark contrast to their Women’s Super League Rivals: Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City who all used a chartered plane for their Champions League games last season.
Initially, a chartered flight was taken for efficiency to lower the time in between travel and the game. But with United’s next fixture vs Leicester being on Sunday, there was less of a rush to get the team home quickly.
It has to be said the facilities United trained in and stayed at in Sweden were second to none, training at the headquarters of the Swedish FA and staying in a five star hotel.
It is understood decisions will be taken to review transport arrangements with cost and performance as key factors with Sir Jim Ratcliffe previously stating back in March his priority is the men’s team in an interview with BBC Sport.
Furthermore, Ratcliffe also failed to attend the Womens Cup Final as United lost 3-0 to Chelsea, highlighting Ratcliffe’s priority for the men’s team.
However, Marc Skinner’s side beat PSV 5-0 and Hammarby 1-0 and will now face Norwegian Champions SK Brann later this month over two legs to reach the league phase of the competition.
