Manchester United Women have identified Swedish right‑back Hanna Lundkvist and German forward Lea Schuller as priority signings before the January transfer window opens. The club hopes the additions will reinforce a squad that currently sits fourth in the FA WSL with 40 points, 11 wins, 7 draws and 4 losses, recent form LDDLW.
Who are the targets?
Hanna Lundkvist, 23, is a former Hammarby player who spent the 2024‑25 season with NWSL side San Diego Wave. Her contract expires this month, making her a free agent. She logged 26 appearances for the Wave, who finished sixth in the league and won the World Sevens event in Fort Lauderdale. German striker Lea Schuller, 28, is nearing the end of a long‑term deal with Bayern Munich that expires next summer. She has 103 goals in 179 matches for the seven‑time Frauen‑Bundesliga champions and has already contributed four goals and four assists in five league games this season.
Why does United need them?
Head coach Marc Skinner has repeatedly warned that his squad lacks depth, especially as United juggle Champions League knockout ties and a push for a top‑three finish. United sit 15 points behind leaders Manchester City W, and with only 38 goals scored and 22 conceded this season (+16 goal difference), the team needs fresh experience. Lundkvist would provide competition for Canada international Jayde Riviere at right‑back, while Schuller could add firepower to a forward line that currently relies on veteran Rachel Williams for rotation.
What are the transfer dynamics?
Lundkvist has attracted interest from Paris Saint‑Germain and Tottenham Hotspur, but United appear to be the frontrunner according to multiple sources. San Diego Wave confirmed they are in “active discussions” with her about an extension, yet the Swedish defender prefers a return to Europe to be closer to home. Schuller’s Bayern contract includes a release clause that could be triggered in the winter, and United’s ambition to sign at least four players in January suggests she is high on the list.
What comes next?
Skinner told reporters after a 2‑1 win over West Ham that United will be “aggressive” in the market, aiming to secure both Lundkvist and Schuller if possible. The club’s next steps include scouting trips and negotiations with the players’ representatives. With the Champions League quarter‑finals looming, the timing of any deals will be crucial for squad cohesion and the push to close the 15‑point gap to Manchester City W.
The transfer saga will unfold over the next weeks, and United fans can expect updates as the January window approaches.
