Manchester United have defended themselves against accusations that the club is not committed to their women's team following the takeover of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Ratcliffe and his INEOS team have faced criticism following their decision to move female players from their bespoke building in Carrington to accommodate the men's team while the training ground undergoes a £50m refurbishment.
Supporters also protested after the British billionaire – or any INEOS representative – did not attend the Women's FA Cup final, which United won by beating Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 at Wembley.
But speaking at a fan forum in July, chief operating officer Collette Roache insisted the women's team is a priority for the new owners.
“We've heard the concerns and frustrations that some fans have been expressing,” Roache said.
“But let's not lose sight of the progress made in just six years since the team was reformed.
“We have established ourselves as a leading team in the WSL and won our first major trophy at Wembley in May in our second consecutive FA Cup final.
“Our U21 and U16 women's academy teams also won trophies last season, reflecting the strong focus we are placing on youth development.
“Headlines decrying a lack of commitment could not be further from the truth. We are fully committed to building a strong position in women's football for the long term.”
At the same fan forum, supporters also questioned club staff about when an INEOS representative would attend a women's match after watching several men's matches.
Fans also asked why “[is] “There is no mention of the women's youth team on the official app or website, just as there is mention of their respective male counterparts” and “why does the club not have full-time dedicated scouts for the women's team?”
