Manchester United Women have completed a significant transfer coup, securing the signature of German international striker Lea Schüller. The 28-year-old arrives from Bayern Munich on a contract running until June 2029, signalling the club's ambition to challenge at the top of the Women's Super League.
A Prolific Record for Club and Country
Lea Schüller brings a formidable goalscoring pedigree to Carrington. She has netted an impressive 54 times in just 82 appearances for the German national team. Her club record in the Frauen Bundesliga is equally striking, having surpassed the 10-goal mark in seven consecutive seasons—a feat no Manchester United player has managed in the WSL since their promotion in 2019.
Daniel Kraus, who coached Schüller at SGS Essen between 2016 and 2019, believes the move is ideal for both parties. "It could be a win-win situation for Lea and for Manchester United," he said. "She has everything to be a world-class striker—fast, two great feet, good with the head, and strong."
How Schüller's Style Fits United's System
The striker's attributes appear perfectly suited to the tactical approach favoured by Manchester United. Schüller herself highlighted the synergy in her first interview with MUTV, noting: "I'm very excited because the team looks like it makes many crosses, so that's perfect for me." Her self-assessment as a direct player who thrives on speed and headers dovetails with the team's statistical profile.
According to Opta data, United rank fourth in the WSL for the number of crosses delivered this season, with 21.4% finding their target. Key providers like Jayde Riviere and Anna Sandberg, who has the second-highest number of successful crosses in the division with 11, are poised to supply the German forward.
Coaching Insight and Development
Kraus, now coaching Wolfsburg's under-20 side, recalls working with a young Schüller at Essen, where she played centrally "99% of the time." He identified her primary strength as her work inside the penalty area but also focused on developing the defensive side of her game. "It's one of the things she did not like that much," he admitted, "but she understood things well."
Her journey began at community club Hülser SV in Krefeld before her prolific spell at Bayern Munich, where she scored over 100 goals. At 28, she arrives in England at the peak of her career. Familiar faces like former teammate Dominique Janssen could help her settle quickly at United, which is crucial for a player who thrives on confidence.
Potential Impact on United and Germany
Kraus envisions a fruitful partnership developing at United, particularly with creative players like Fridolina Rolfö and Ella Toone providing service. "If she has Rolfö to the side with crosses and Toone behind her who can feed her with passes, she will score goals," he predicted. This club form could also rejuvenate her role with the German national team.
For Manchester United, the signing addresses a clear need for a proven, clinical match-winner. Schüller's track record of consistent high-level scoring suggests she has the quality to transform their attacking output and help bridge the gap to the WSL's leading sides.
