Manchester United granted license to play in women’s second tier

Manchester United will field a women’s team for the first time since 2005 after being granted a license to play in the second-tier Championship as part of the English FA’s restructuring of the game announced on Monday.

Following a detailed review and assessment of clubs wishing to participate in the top two levels of women’s soccer in England, the FA revealed that 11 teams would contest the top-flight Women’s Super League for 2018-19, while 12 teams will make up the Women’s Championship.

United have been criticized for not reviving their scrapped women’s team from 2005 while the game has shown significant growth, particularly with rivals Manchester City becoming part of the City Football Group in 2012 and winning several trophies.

The news was heralded by Manchester United’s Executive Vice Chairman Ed Woodward.

“We will be making some exciting announcements in the coming days and weeks,” Woodward said in a statement on the club’s website.

“Starting a professional team from scratch is challenging but rewarding, and we will make every effort to provide the support and experience for the new women’s team to be successful and to uphold the fine traditions of our great club.”

The 2018-19 season will begin on August 18, with the opening round of fixtures being the Continental Tyres Cup, before both leagues get underway on September 8.

The reigning Super League champions are Chelsea FC Women who also won the FA Women’s Cup earlier this month.