Manchester United manager Marc Skinner has urged the club to invest in experienced players after his side were eliminated from the Women's Champions League quarter-finals by Bayern Munich. Despite a spirited performance, United lost the second leg 2-0 in Munich, with goals from Glódís Viggósdóttir and Linda Dallmann in the final nine minutes securing a 5-3 aggregate victory for the German side.
United had taken the lead through Melvine Malard's first-half goal, but fatigue set in as Bayern's pressure mounted. Skinner noted that Bayern had rested seven players at the weekend, while United were missing eight first-team players through injury. 'We need to design the squad with that depth of experience in order to go to that stage,' he said, highlighting the need for greater investment.
The defeat came on the same day the Football Association revealed that six Women's Super League clubs spent more on agents' fees than United in the year to February 2026. The Guardian also reported that United's wage bill last season was half that of Arsenal. Skinner acknowledged the club is still learning but stressed the importance of investment to compete at the highest level.
United now face a battle to qualify for next season's Champions League, sitting fourth in the WSL with difficult away games against Tottenham and Chelsea remaining. The top three teams qualify for the competition.
