Fans criticise Manchester United plans to move women’s side into portable buildings during Carrington revamp
MANCHESTER United have been criticised by fans over plans to move their women’s side to portable buildings with the men’s team using their base next season.
United’s WSL aces are reportedly having make way for their Prem counterparts due to renovation of the men’s indoor training facilities.
The Red Devils’ men’s squad will have priority access to the £10million women’s and academy building whilst their facility is given a makeover, according to the Guardian.
They say the portable spaces to be used by the club’s WSL players and their backroom staff will include changing rooms, meeting rooms and office spaces.
Revamp work on the men’s facility at Carrington, which began on Monday, is being carried out as part of a £50million project of led by architect Norman Foster.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who purchased a stake in United via his company Ineos, says the aim is “to create a world-class environment” with the “training ground renovated to the highest standard”.
However news of their WSL side being from shifted from their £10million building to accommodate the men’s squad has angered some supporters.
And scores took to social media platform X to question the move which comes a month after the team made history winning the Women’s FA Cup for the first time.
One fan described it as “two steps back” whilst another posted that United’s WSL squad “deserves respect”.
Earlier this month Sir Jim Ratcliffe spoke about transforming the club’s Carrington training complex in a bid to improve performance.
The Man United owner said: “When we conducted a thorough review of the Carrington training facilities and met with our men’s first-team players, it was clear the standards had fallen below some of our peers.
“This project will ensure Manchester United’s training ground is once more renovated to the highest standards.
“Lord Foster, a fellow Mancunian, has brought some great inspiration to the design, in conjunction with the Manchester United team.
“We look forward to seeing the improvement to the facilities but most importantly on the pitch.”
Reports of the women’s side moving into portable buildings come in a week in which United bid farewell to versatile forward Lucia Garcia.
Today the club confirmed the departure of the Spain ace who netted a brace during their 4-0 FA Cup final win against Tottenham last month.
The player who joined the Red Devils from Spanish club Athletic in July 2022 is has been linked with a move to Mexican top-flight champions Las Rayadas.
Of her departure from United, Garcia said: “I am going to miss every single piece of Manchester United.
“All my friends, all the team, all the staff, all the workers here. I think one of the hardest parts is to leave the fans.
“I feel the support they give to me. I can feel they love me and I love them.
“I just feel it in my heart like ‘boom, boom, boom’. They give me the power to keep going, to keep fighting.
“But at the end of the day, I have to say goodbye.
“That’s so hard for me, and the only thing I can say to you all is I love you [from] the bottom of my heart.”