Key Highlights
- After an initial rocky start, manager Olid has orchestrated a dramatic turnaround at United, securing four straight wins across the Women’s Super League (WSL) and League Cup.
- During their recent four-game winning streak, United have netted 18 goals following an encouraging away draw against Arsenal.
- Liverpool manager Gareth Taylor criticized United’s direct playing style after his side fell into what he described as their opponent’s tactical “trap.”
United Find Form Under Olid Following Testing Start
Despite arriving at United boasting an impressive record of sustained success in the Scottish Women’s Premier League, manager Olid entered English football largely regarded as an unknown quantity. Her tenure opened under intense scrutiny following a difficult transition to the Women’s Super League. United endured a disappointing defeat to London City Lionesses on the opening night of the WSL season, which was quickly compounded by a heavy 5-0 home loss against Chelsea seven days later. Across those two opening fixtures, United struggled to generate offensive momentum, registering a combined total of just two shots on target.
The turning point for the squad began with a resilient draw away at Arsenal, providing an early indication that the tactical setup was beginning to take root. Since that result, United have produced an exceptional run of form, stringing together four consecutive victories across both the WSL and the League Cup. Emphasizing this resurgence, Olid’s squad has racked up 18 goals during the winning streak, signaling that her tactical philosophy and attacking principles are firmly settling into place.
Olid Remains Focused on High Standards Despite Winning Streak
Despite the sharp upturn in form and high-scoring results, the manager maintains that her squad still possesses significant room for development. Rather than getting carried away by the recent string of decisive victories, Olid remains demanding of her players’ technical execution in the final third of the pitch.
I am so happy for the players – they deserve it,
Olid said. We have started to click in a lot of things and they fight for each other.
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But there is still a lot to improve. We created chances, but our last pass and our finishing needs to be better. That will come.
Liverpool Boss Gareth Taylor Disappointed by Tactical Clash
While United celebrated their newfound momentum, Liverpool counterpart Gareth Taylor offered a sharply critical evaluation of the encounter. Taylor, who has watched Liverpool’s promising start to the campaign stumble with two defeats across their last three matches, expressed frustration with United’s direct approach and his own team’s inability to counter it effectively.
They were very direct and we fell into their trap,
Taylor said. Their goalkeeper was literally kicking out of her hands.
We have got to be braver and there are lessons to learn. This was the first time where we have not been a good reflection of ourselves.
Why This Matters
Establishing early traction in the highly competitive Women’s Super League is critical for managers arriving from outside the English system. Olid’s swift tactical recalibration—transforming an attack that produced only two shots on target in its first two matches into a potent unit scoring 18 goals in four games—demonstrates vital adaptability in top-flight management. Conversely, for Liverpool and Gareth Taylor, dropping points in two of their last three fixtures highlights the challenge of maintaining league momentum against direct, high-pressure opposition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Olid perform at the beginning of the WSL campaign?
Olid endured a tough start at United, suffering an opening-night defeat to London City Lionesses followed by a 5-0 home loss to Chelsea, with the team managing only two shots on target across both matches.
What record has United compiled during their recent resurgence?
Following a draw at Arsenal, United have won four consecutive matches across the WSL and League Cup, scoring 18 goals in that stretch.
What was Liverpool manager Gareth Taylor’s assessment of the match?
Gareth Taylor criticized United’s direct tactics, stating his team fell into their trap while United’s goalkeeper kicked directly out of her hands, adding that Liverpool failed to be a good reflection of themselves and must be braver.




