18 October 2023 , 15:13
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Ahead of their first European away fixture on Wednesday night, Man Utd women have unveiled their new training facility.
The new base has been developed at the club HQ in Carrington, where it will be the new permanent home of the women's team, who finished last season as WSL runners-up. United have invested over £7million in the brand new site, with improvements also made to the Academy team facilities.
Features include a state-of-the-art gym, improved changing rooms and top-class medical facilities with rehabilitation areas. There is also a brand new restaurant with a live cooking area, plus analysis meeting rooms for staff and players. The likes of Mary Earps, Ella Toone, Geyse and club captain Katie Zelem will train at the new complex during the season and beyond.
The building took seven months to complete in total. It comes following the strategic review launched by controversial owners the Glazer family last November.
Collette Roche, Man Utd's Chief Operating Officer, said: "We are always looking to improve our facilities and we are delighted that the detailed planning has led to an outstanding building that will rival any women’s training facilities in Europe and provide space for growth for our Academy.
"Across our facilities, we have invested more than £20 million in (total) improvement work over the last year and this building is an example of the progress we are making to create the best environments for our teams to succeed."
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Players were first able to use the facilities ahead of the new WSL season before the complex was unveiled to the public. Investment and support of the women's team has been a long-running major issue at United under the Glazer ownership.
Man United women's team gym at the new training facility (Manchester United)United originally disbanded their women's first team when the American family completed their takeover of the club in 2005. They returned after a thirteen-year absence in 2018, following a successful application to join the Women's Championship.
But facilities for their first-team players have remained something of an issue, with players previously housed in temporary buildings and a stop-gap gym set-up underneath a marquee. When previous manager Casey Stoney resigned back in 2021, training facilities were reported to be a factor in the decision.
However, United have put those issues behind them with the new complex, thought to be one of the most advanced in the WSL.
Pitch-side office at the new women's team base at Manchester United's training complex at CarringtonRoche also believes the new facility is proof that United will continue to move forward off the pitch, despite the current long uncertainty around the club ownership. The latest twist in that saga saw reports that British businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe could become a minority shareholder but run the football operation.
Roche told BBC Sport: "We are doing this [strategic review] for a very positive reason. We have real ambition and a plan at United. We want to make sure we attract the right investment to deliver that ambition.
"We are not standing still in the meantime. Whilst that is in the background, we are obviously continuing to invest in players on the pitch and facilities on it. That is what you can see with this facility."
The canteen at the new home of United womenPolly Bancroft, Head of Women’s Football, added: “We’re really pleased to be opening the new building here at Carrington; it’s a dedicated space for the women and another sign of our commitment to building a strong position in the women’s game.
"We now have a high-performance environment to operate in which will help take the team to the next level following the impressive performances we have seen on the pitch.
“It is also important for the girls academy sides to see the players they admire having access to high-quality facilities to help them reach the highest level."
Dressing room at the new Women's Team base at CarringtonUnited aren't the only WSL club to have moved training grounds this year. Liverpool women relocated to Melwood training centre, the previous home of the men's team, last month after the club re-purchased the land.
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