Manchester United Women have started the new Women's Super League season with a defeat and a historic signing. The Reds lost 2-1 away to London City Lionesses on Friday, as reported by Sports Yahoo, while also completing the transfer of Rebeca Bernal from the Washington Spirit, a move first covered by WJLA.
How did Manchester United Women lose the season opener?
Eva Olid's side began their 2026/27 campaign with a disappointing 2-1 defeat in the capital. According to the match report from Sports Yahoo, an own goal from Julia Zigiotti Olme put United behind early, before a second-half strike from Netherlands international Danielle Van de Donk sealed the win for the hosts in the 82nd minute. London City dominated possession and created constant pressure in midfield.
United found a late consolation goal in stoppage time through Simi Awujo's first league strike for the club. The result leaves the team needing a quick reset ahead of a tough run of fixtures, starting with Chelsea next weekend. The club finished fourth in the final 2025 WSL table, amassing 40 points from 22 games with a record of 11 wins, seven draws, and four losses.
Who is Rebeca Bernal and why is her signing significant?
Manchester United Women have signed defender Rebeca Bernal from the NWSL's Washington Spirit. WJLA reported that the 29-year-old Mexican international becomes the first player from her country to compete in England's Women's Super League. Bernal had started 17 games for the Spirit in the 2026 NWSL season, scoring three goals, and made 50 total appearances for the club during her tenure.
Her arrival is a notable piece of business for a United squad that saw significant player departures this summer. The club's leadership had indicated reinforcements would be limited, focusing instead on younger signings. Bernal's experience and historic status add a new dimension to Olid's defensive options as they look to improve on last season's goal difference of +16, having scored 38 and conceded 22.
What is the competitive landscape of the WSL this season?
The debate over which women's football league is the most competitive continues, with the WSL frequently compared to the NWSL. The New York Times explored this topic, citing analysis from sports intelligence firm Twenty First Group. Their data-driven model suggests the NWSL has greater depth from top to bottom, while the WSL boasts some of the best individual teams globally.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United all rank above every NWSL club in the model, despite the English league having a more significant drop-off in quality after its top four. For United, closing the 15-point gap to last season's leaders, Manchester City, will be the immediate challenge. Fans can track the evolving standings throughout the campaign.
Where does the squad stand after the summer window?
Manager Eva Olid now has a clearer view of her squad following the closure of the transfer window. The signing of Bernal, alongside that of Spanish defender Andrea Medina, addresses key areas. However, the opening day performance highlighted the scale of the task ahead, particularly in midfield where the team was overwhelmed at times.
The fixture list offers little respite, with matches against Chelsea and Arsenal looming. The full fixtures schedule shows a demanding period for the Reds. The club will rely on its core players and new signings to build cohesion quickly. The next opportunity to respond comes against Chelsea at Leigh Sports Village on September 12th.
